2003 Sociando

[William P]

I had the 2003 Sociando the other night and thought I'd report. As you may recall, I recoiled at the 2001 SM as being overwhelmingly green. I'm happy to report that the 2003 SM does not have that problem. It was a rich Bordeaux with blackberry and ripe pit fruit flavors. Medium plus body without being over the top. I enjoyed it. I admit this was more Napa style than Bordeaux, so the purist beware. The tannins are resolved and there is, as of yet, no tertiary flavors developing. For me, this bottle was ready to drink.

I do want to confirm what Nic said about the 2003 LB, the Sociando is also very low in acid. This wine would be so much more enjoyable if there was a little more acidity to lift the ripeness of the fruit. If I were to grade this I'd say 90/91, an enjoyable wine if a bit atypical. A pretty face but without much intellect.

Bill

[JimHow]

Thanks for the update Bill. I have 10 bottles left, my plan is to drink one per year over the next 10 years.

[AKR]

I love the 2003. Maybe it will end up better than 1990.

[JimHow]

Sipping on the 2003 tonight after yelling at three DAs today.
It's really nice, IMHO.
What is striking me is how relatively young it remains.

[dstgolf]

Great to see another ugly duckling coming into its own.

[Blanquito]

I love the 2003. Maybe it will end up better than 1990.

I’m a big fan of the 03 too, but the 90 is a very high bar. Here’s hoping!

[dstgolf]

The 03 again gone from my cellar too young but agree that unlike many/most SMs the cab was ripe and was void of green pepper notes which I don't hate anymore but prefer it to be absent. I think this will likely be right along the 90 if not surpass it. The experts were wrong with this one too.

[AKR]

Not sure what the exact scores were....but RMP was very positive on 03 S-M from the barrel all the way to various tastings in the bottle. 2003 gets some brickbats, but that clay area in the St Estephe (and surrounding areas) did really well.

I don't like green bell peppers either.

[johnz]

Easily the best Sociando I've had is the 1982 (even over the 1990). And well kept bottles are still young!

--Gary Rust

[William P]

Easily the best Sociando I've had is the 1982 (even over the 1990). And well kept bottles are still young!

I agree Gary, but as some of you know, I have a soft spot in my heart for the 82 vintage.

Bill

[William P]

Sipping on the 2003 tonight after yelling at three DAs today.
It's really nice, IMHO.
What is striking me is how relatively young it remains.

Totally agree, the fruit was fresh with no trapping of age other than the tannins have moderated. Glad you enjoyed it.

Bill

[Blanquito]

I agree, when “on” the 82 is far and away my favorite vintage of Sociando but I’ve had quite a few off bottles along the way.

[JimHow]

I think when "on" 1982 is my favorite vintage, period.

[Blanquito]

I think when "on" 1982 is my favorite vintage, period.

Word.

[robert goulet]

Hmmmm...Never found my '03 psuedo-napa in any way shape or form.


For me, Sociando tastes like it has a nice dollop of cab franc in it....yet it's percentage is very small.
I call Sociando the Bordeaux for cab franc lovers because tasting Sociando blind transports me to the loire valley.

[JimHow]

Sociando Mallet is one of the great wines of BWE.

[William P]

"Hmmmm...Never found my '03 psuedo-napa in any way shape or form. "

And SM never transports me to the Loire Valley. Reasonable palates can disagree it appears.

Bill

[robert goulet]

"Hmmmm...Never found my '03 psuedo-napa in any way shape or form. "

And SM never transports me to the Loire Valley. Reasonable palates can disagree it appears.

Bill

Agreed brother...it would be boring as fuq if everyone agreed

[AKR]

some years of SM do have greenness, although i'm not sure how well they might map on to Loire reds since that's a whole category I simply stay far away from, having been grossed out by chinon, bourgeiul in my youth.

[robert goulet]

Chinon is heaven

[AKR]

I had a 2003 Sociando Mallet last night, double decanted + lightly chilled, with seared flap meat, a cold beet salad, tater tots and broccoli with gorgonzola crumbles. The wine was fantastic as was dinner (both in taste and visual appeal). This is such a complete wine, a little tannin and depth to go with a fatty/bloody piece of beef, and so much fruit.

I have not had any younger S-M's, lets say post 2005 or so, but this is my favorite vintage in between 75 and 05. Even more than 90. Solid A wine. They just hit out of the park.

[JimHow]

Yep.

[Blanquito]

Still have 21 bottles of this!

[Comte Flaneur]

I just opened a 1996, first bottle of my second case.

[Blanquito]

I just opened a 1996, first bottle of my second case.

I think the 96 is in a great place. The 95 also. Wish I could find more at <$60.

[Chateau Vin]

I just opened a 1996, first bottle of my second case.

I have 3 bottles of 96 version left, and curious to know how it’s faring now...

[Comte Flaneur]

CV

I must admit I never really ‘got’ this wine. This bottle still has a remarkably youthful hue, but definitely more promising than previous encounters the last of which was a few years ago. Like Patrick with his 2003s I have this case and another to go, bought on the strength of Michel Bettane proclaiming In 1997 that this was one of the top three wines of the 1996 vintage, I kid you not. I think the other two were Latour and Lafite so at £160 a case it seemed like a good bet.

I will report back.

[Chateau Vin]

CV

I must admit I never really ‘got’ this wine. This bottle still has a remarkably youthful hue, but definitely more promising than previous encounters the last of which was a few years ago. Like Patrick with his 2003s I have this case and another to go, bought on the strength of Michel Bettane proclaiming In 1997 that this was one of the top three wines of the 1996 vintage, I kid you not. I think the other two were Latour and Lafite so at £160 a case it seemed like a good bet.

I will report back.

It’s a bit of relief to know that someone else also is in the same boat as I am. I had this maybe couple of years ago, and I also didn’t ‘get’ it. I thought maybe I am an outlier to not get it, or maybe the bottle I opened. That’s why I asked ‘how it’s faring now’.

[Blanquito]

Cracked an 03 Sociando tonight:
Nice cabernet nose of mint, cassis, cedar. Pleasant attack of grapey and sweet-tart fruits, integrated structure with a rounded mouthfeel, good finish with a bit of tannic grip. In a nice place, not green at all by my standards. Nice sweetness and glycerin on the palate with enough brightness. Deepens with some air, but almost a pretty wine by the norms of this chateau. Good and ready in a mid-maturity stage. 90-91 pts.