Chateau Sociando Mallet - Haut Medoc 2012
Price: $44.96
| Producer | Chateau Sociando Mallet |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Sku | 601164 |
| Size | 750ml |
The history of Sociando Mallet dates back to the early 17th century when the estate was founded. However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that the property became known as Sociando Mallet. In 1850, the estate was acquired by the Sociando family, who combined their surname with the name of a previous owner, Mallet, to create the estate's new name.In 1969 when Jean Gautreau, a young businessman from the Cognac region, acquired the property. Under Gautreau's guidance, the estate underwent significant improvements in both the vineyards and winemaking techniques. He aimed to create a wine that would showcase the potential of the terroir and compete with the top wines of the Médoc.
Sociando Mallet's vineyards are situated in the commune of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, along the left bank of the Gironde estuary. It is only a hair over 2 miles from Saint-Estephe. The estate spans approximately 83 hectares (205 acres) and is planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for around 55% of the vineyard. Merlot represents roughly 40% of the plantings, while the remaining 5% consists of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vineyards benefit from a mix of gravelly, clayey, and limestone soils, providing excellent drainage and optimal conditions for the vines to thrive.
The winemaking process at Sociando Mallet emphasizes traditional practices combined with modern techniques. The grapes are harvested manually, and great care is taken during the sorting process to ensure only the finest fruit is used. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavors and tannins. The wines are then aged in oak barrels, a portion of which is renewed each year, contributing to the complexity and structure of the final blends.
