2000 vs. 2003 Sociando Mallet
Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 7:17 pm
I have had both wines now in the past month.
They are both outstanding wines.
The 2000 has an amazing almost over the top green to it that is actually really appealing, if you like that style of wine. Which I do.
It has great complexity on both the palate and nose, still youthful but providing great satisfaction now and I'm guessing for quite a few more years to come, I'm guessing it has another 20 years in it.
The 2003 is likewise a stunning effort. The thing about this wine, though, is that I'm not sure I would ever identify it as a 2003 in a blind setting. It hasn't seemed like other 2003 Medocs I have had, like Pontet Canet, Leoville Barton, and others. This 2003 has a nice crispness and definition to it. Nothing flabby here. I didn't get anything approaching the bell pepper that is so gloriously present in the 2000.
I love both wines.
Maybe it's kind of like the 1959 Latour/Lafite up against the 1961 Latour/Lafite. The 1961s may be the more "complete" wines, but I found the 1959s the more "interesting" wines.
Likewise, I think the 2003 Sociando Mallet has all the stuffing of a great wine, I think I just find that wild 2000 more interesting.
Ratings:
2000 Sociando Mallet: 94+ points.
2003 Sociando Mallet: 93 points.
They are both outstanding wines.
The 2000 has an amazing almost over the top green to it that is actually really appealing, if you like that style of wine. Which I do.
It has great complexity on both the palate and nose, still youthful but providing great satisfaction now and I'm guessing for quite a few more years to come, I'm guessing it has another 20 years in it.
The 2003 is likewise a stunning effort. The thing about this wine, though, is that I'm not sure I would ever identify it as a 2003 in a blind setting. It hasn't seemed like other 2003 Medocs I have had, like Pontet Canet, Leoville Barton, and others. This 2003 has a nice crispness and definition to it. Nothing flabby here. I didn't get anything approaching the bell pepper that is so gloriously present in the 2000.
I love both wines.
Maybe it's kind of like the 1959 Latour/Lafite up against the 1961 Latour/Lafite. The 1961s may be the more "complete" wines, but I found the 1959s the more "interesting" wines.
Likewise, I think the 2003 Sociando Mallet has all the stuffing of a great wine, I think I just find that wild 2000 more interesting.
Ratings:
2000 Sociando Mallet: 94+ points.
2003 Sociando Mallet: 93 points.