2023 Sociando-Mallet (Haut-Medoc)

Silky and richly fruited plum colour with the edge of vibrant violet that makes you confident of its ageing potential. This is gorgeous, really captures the spirit of the vintage on the Left Bank, where you have a ton of ripe Cabernet that is savoury, concentrated and full of energetic cassis, sage and crayon. Brilliant. A buy. 94 points

The 2023 Sociando-Mallet is a deep, powerful wine. Black cherry, incense, blackberry, licorice and cloves add to an impression of somber gravitas. Unctuous and rich, the 2023 shows the natural intensity of the Merlot in this vintage. Sociando is pretty heady in this vintage. 89-91 points

The 2023 Sociando-Mallet is showing well, exhibiting aromas of cherries and cassis mingled with hints of pencil shavings and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it`s lively and classically structured, with sweet tannins, bright acids and a penetrating finish. The blend is 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, which attained 14% alcohol. 90-92 points

The 2023 Sociando-Mallet has a cohesive and focused bouquet, classic Sociando in style. A touch of freshly tilled soil and cedar develops in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with red berry fruit and lightly spiced with black pepper and cedar. Nicely balanced on the finish, this should develop well in bottle, although it lacks a bit of complexity. 89-91 points