The 2020 Sociando-Mallet from Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, is a compelling Bordeaux Blend that has garnered high praise from several esteemed reviewers. The wine is characterized by its deep color and aromatic bouquet of dark fruits, spices, and earthy notes.
James Suckling offers high praise, scoring the wine at 94 points, and describing it as having "a pretty nose with dark spices, nut shell and cedar notes" with a "dark fruit backbone" and a "refined and nicely balanced" structure. He highlights its "velvety texture" and advises trying it after 2026.
Jeb Dunnuck also awards it 94 points, commending its concentrated, burly style and rich aromatic profile, featuring "darker currants, plums, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and graphite-like aromatics." He notes the wine's potential to age and develop over the next two to three decades, suggesting it will mature around a decade after the vintage.
Jane Anson echoes this sentiment with another 94-point review, emphasizing the wine's "great quality" and "wonderfully expressed brambled dark fruits," along with firm tannins and a mouthwatering finish. She highlights its Left Bank signature and notes the use of 90% new oak for aging.
Decanter gives the wine 92 points, praising its "wonderfully fragrant" nose and "lively energy," with a "slate and coffee-toned finish." Meanwhile, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also scores it 92 points, describing it as "very attractive" with a blend of cassis, plums, and savory notes.
Overall, the 2020 Sociando-Mallet is a wine with excellent aging potential and a complex flavor profile, making it a noteworthy choice for Bordeaux enthusiasts. With its blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a hint of Cabernet Franc, this wine promises to deliver a satisfying experience both now and in the years to come.