The 2017 Sociando Mallet has quite a high-toned bouquet with macerated black cherries, boysenberry jam and top end violet scents. This is a more showy Sociando than of late. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin, moderate depth, a more refined wine than I was expecting with a smooth, supple blackberry and bilberry finish laced with white pepper. There is a word I never expected to use apropos Sociando Mallet...gentle. 90-92 points

Inky crimson with black core. Dusty cassis nose. Leafy on the palate, juicy and fresh but could do with a little more flesh in the middle. Very firm grip on the finish. Dark and savoury aftertaste. 16 points

The 2017 Sociando-Mallet is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a spicy nose over a red plums and red currants core plus a waft of underbrush. The palate is medium-bodied with a well-judged, approachable structure and plenty of freshness, finishing fruity. 87-89 points