Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc 2004 The smells are a mix of earth, cedar, toasty oak and a fitting amount of the barnyard. The mouth if full of plummy fruit with grip. This is definitely leaner and tighter than the ’05 which is quite seductive already. Give it at least 30 minutes to open up though the brett in the background will too much for some.
Notes from the more expensive ’05 tasted in the summer: Toasty oak, ripe tannins and black fruits – delicious.
Planted 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from vines at an average 30 years old. Mis au chateau par Jean Gautreau in St. Seurin de Cadourne 12.5% $40.99 at Bottle Barn
Wilson, Dry Creek Valley, Roger’s Fault, Estate, Bordeaux Blend 2003 This smells sweet, sweet and more. The mouth sports liquer-like jammy fruit with the structure of the Cabernet family and big lashings of oak. The grapes in this blend are 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 28% Cab Franc. GP&B in Healdsburg 14% $28 at the winery Wilson
