Attractive spicy nose, plenty of Médoc character with layers of tannins. There is punch and personality here, and within the vintage it definitely has plenty to offer. Not as much depth as in certain vintages for sure, but this has depth, needs time to soften in the glass. Well made and well balanced with good potential for ageing. Touches of violet on the finish although acidities are pretty high. A yield of 42hl/ha.

The 2020 Sociando Mallet has a beautifully defined and focused bouquet of intense blackberry, briar and wilted iris petal aromas; hints of boysenberry jam linger offstage. The medium-bodied palate features fine-boned tannins and predominantly black fruit. Very saline and sappy, with a dash of pepper on the aftertaste. This is a typical Sociando Mallet, full of grace and power. 92-94 points

Rich blackberry to smell along with the gravel element; rich, vivid in acidity, firmly tannic; not a big wine, but packed with flavor, long and close-grained to taste, a typically firm tannin, but matter and scope, a classic, firm, dry, traditional claret, linear, gravelly, with lovely fragrant length. Elegant and complete. The acidity may be a touch piquant for some tastes, at least early on. Drink 2028–40+. 90–92 points