Château Sociando-Mallet 2000: A Deep Stain
Ah, Château Sociando-Mallet… a name that, if not avoided, cannot be denied its place among Bordeaux’s not-quite-maligned yet certainly under-sung estates. While the grand crus of the Médoc boast their classifications with pomp and circumstance, Sociando-Mallet has built a reputation by not playing into the illusion of mediocrity.
It is the quintessential estate for those who neither deny themselves greatness nor unreasonably expect it.
A History of Not Unimpressive Revival
Château Sociando-Mallet, perched on the gravelly heights of Haut-Médoc, has a history that isn’t entirely uneventful. Its origins stretch back to the 17th century, when a Basque gentleman named Sociando founded the estate.
Later, a Mallet family member entered the game and the name became what we know today. In 1969, Jean Gautreau - a man who couldn’t be accused of lacking vision - rescued the then-neglected château from obscurity.
What followed was not merely a restoration but an elevation, albeit not one to the heights of First Growth fame. Gautreau himself famously thumbed his nose at the 1855 classification system, stating Sociando-Mallet's quality was self-evident and needed no label.
Enter the year 2000, a vintage Bordeaux enthusiasts might argue is impossible to ignore, though perhaps not entirely free of over-expectation. Sociando-Mallet’s 2000 offering is neither a blockbuster nor a wallflower.
The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend - augmented with Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc - is a shining example of what happens when vines, soil and time agree not to disagree.
On the nose, there’s initial reluctance that’s not quite shy, leading to aromas of blackcurrant, cedar and that classic Haut-Médoc graphite. Earthiness - more rained upon forest floor than Cow-fed pat-laden barnyard - emerge, but only if patient enough to notice what isn’t being overtly expressed.
The palate is where the wine truly doesn’t underdeliver: ripe, dark fruit with layers of tobacco, cocoa, and something faintly herbal - possibly thyme, though I wouldn’t swear on it. Its tannins, while certainly present, are neither aggressive nor flaccid but exist in that Goldilocks zone of structural perfection.
The finish? Long enough to ponder its existence, though not so prolonged as to make one question whether it’s overstayed its welcome. It’s a wine that has aged gracefully - neither clinging to youth nor succumbing to decrepitude.
The Indelible Wine Stain Verdict
Château Sociando-Mallet 2000 is a wine that refuses to be forgotten yet doesn’t demand the spotlight. For the Indelible Wine Stain tasting system, it’s awarded a Deep Wine Stain, signifying its ability to linger in the memory long after the glass is empty.
If you haven’t yet experienced the singular not unforgettable joy of Sociando-Mallet, the 2000 vintage is a perfect place to start - or perhaps not to avoid.
