I read here about decanting for several hours. I didn't have that time so I PnP and we drank it over 2 or 3 hours. We found this wine to be mature, medium bodied, and very enjoyable. I had many vintages of Sociando Mallet, and in my opinion 2005 is one of the best, almost as good as 2000, 2001 and 2003. Looking forward to my younger vintages slumbering in my cellar.
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Third of five bottles purchased at retail. Opened alongside a bottle of 2005 Potensac.
More black fruit here to the Potensac’s juicier, slightly candied red fruit profile. This was showing a little tertiary development, and it had a much more refined mouthfeel than the Potensac. There was no greenness on the nose or palate here as one might expect, yet this was not a modern take on this classic. This was a subtle, old-school wine in a hot year. I had an exceptional bottle of the ‘82 Sociando a week ago or so and they seemed to have a lot in common, although, amazingly, this was not as concentrated at eighteen as the ‘82 was at forty-one.
In finally, this was clearly a step up from the 2005 Potensac and a much better bottle than my last ‘05 Sociando several months ago. This bottle was still quite tannic, but the tannins were fine and ripe. This was firmly in the early-mature-phase drinking zone as far as I’m concerned and on cruise control. The concentration was good and the alcohol low, but for my remaining bottles, I’m not going to bet the farm that the tannins will resolve before the fruit fades. I’m going to keep drinking and enjoying these in the near term. I like tannins anyway. 13% ABV (very good/***/16.5/93)
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I gave this a 5-hour decant, which it needed. A dark colour; quite full, blackcurrant fruit with a thick, slightly earthy texture. A slight bitterness on the finish. Drinking well after the decant, but good for 10 years or so.
Early Feb 2024: not decanted; deep dark red color; bouquet of blackberry, dark cherry, coffee, mint, and bread; round with a juicy acidity on the palate; medium body; slightly tannic in the cheeks. 90-91/100
Information on the back label: 13% vol. alcohol; 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
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4/18/2024 - Christoph4204 Likes this wine: 90 Points
2005 is an overrated year!
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3/16/2024 - egoya Likes this wine: 92 Points
I read here about decanting for several hours. I didn't have that time so I PnP and we drank it over 2 or 3 hours. We found this wine to be mature, medium bodied, and very enjoyable. I had many vintages of Sociando Mallet, and in my opinion 2005 is one of the best, almost as good as 2000, 2001 and 2003. Looking forward to my younger vintages slumbering in my cellar.
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2/25/2024 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 93 Points
Third of five bottles purchased at retail. Opened alongside a bottle of 2005 Potensac.
More black fruit here to the Potensac’s juicier, slightly candied red fruit profile. This was showing a little tertiary development, and it had a much more refined mouthfeel than the Potensac. There was no greenness on the nose or palate here as one might expect, yet this was not a modern take on this classic. This was a subtle, old-school wine in a hot year. I had an exceptional bottle of the ‘82 Sociando a week ago or so and they seemed to have a lot in common, although, amazingly, this was not as concentrated at eighteen as the ‘82 was at forty-one.
In finally, this was clearly a step up from the 2005 Potensac and a much better bottle than my last ‘05 Sociando several months ago. This bottle was still quite tannic, but the tannins were fine and ripe. This was firmly in the early-mature-phase drinking zone as far as I’m concerned and on cruise control. The concentration was good and the alcohol low, but for my remaining bottles, I’m not going to bet the farm that the tannins will resolve before the fruit fades. I’m going to keep drinking and enjoying these in the near term. I like tannins anyway. 13% ABV (very good/***/16.5/93)
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2/17/2024 - La Grappe wrote: 90 Points
I gave this a 5-hour decant, which it needed. A dark colour; quite full, blackcurrant fruit with a thick, slightly earthy texture. A slight bitterness on the finish. Drinking well after the decant, but good for 10 years or so.
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2/9/2024 - Fatty Cat wrote: 91 Points
Early Feb 2024: not decanted; deep dark red color; bouquet of blackberry, dark cherry, coffee, mint, and bread; round with a juicy acidity on the palate; medium body; slightly tannic in the cheeks. 90-91/100
Information on the back label: 13% vol. alcohol; 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
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