The Château Sociando-Mallet 2011 has an outstanding nose: very intense blackberry and raspberry fruit, fine delineation and tension, a real humdinger! The palate is fresh and vibrant with fine tannin, plenty of grainy red berry fruit mixed with cedar and bay leaf, with great conviction on the finish. This is a great Sociando Mallet from Jean Gartreau - expect it to land at the top of that banded score.

This has a slightly gutsy core of red and black currant paste flavors, laced with licorice root and tar notes through the grippy finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2021. 27,500 cases made.