2013 Chateau Sociando-Mallet

France / Bordeaux / Medoc / Haut-Medoc Rouge
 
Château Sociando-Mallet in Haut-Médoc is owned by Sylvie & Jean Gautreau.
Second label: La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet.
 
Blend:
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot.
 
Château Sociando-Mallet has throned on the Butte de Baleyron, one of the finest gravelly terroirs in the Médoc, since the 17th century. Situated in the commune of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, North of Pauillac, the vineyard overlooks the Gironde estuary on a bend in the river.

Château Sociando-Mallet's terroir consists of Günz gravel over a deep layer of clay-limestone soil. This terroir perfectly regulates water supply and enables Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen extremely well and Merlot to acquire depth and complexity. This terroir is Sociando's soul. It provides the wine with complex structure, freshness, and elegance.
 
Vineyard: 83 hectares in production.
Terroir of gravel and clay over a clay-limestone sub-soil.
Grape varieties: 53% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Average age of the vines: 40 years.
Manual harvesting in small crates, with sorting of the grapes before and after de-stemming.
Classical wine making in lined concrete and stainless steel vats, temperature-controlled.
Malolactic fermentation in vats, without addition of lactic bacterium.
Ageing in 100% new oak barrels during 12 months. Racking every 6 months, by the plug.
No fining of the wine. No filtration.
Cellar Master: Patrice Laujac.
Vineyard Chief: Vincent Sacco.