TN: 2000 Sociando Mallet

[JimHow]

This wine was really in a great spot last night. It is now going on nineteen years old but still sprightly and fresh as a daisy. The color is bright deep purple with absolutely no sign of fading. It is in a great place for wine lovers like me who prefer Bordeaux at this stage of development, but I'm also convinced this will be giving great pleasure at age 30. It is such a unique wine, it has that herbal component that we have spoken of so often, which just really distinguishes it from other wines in the region. A splendid wine, this seems to never disappoint. I prefer it to the 2003. Rating: 95 points.

[Comte Flaneur]

Thanks Jim for that highly encouraging note.

So by now do we think the 1996 has not fulfilled its promise and the 2000 is the better wine?

Forum please discuss, but I lean to this proposition.

I still have two cases of the 1996 and I worry it is on a slow boat to China.

[JCNorthway]

I would also be curious about any recent experiences with the 1996. I have no more 750s, but I have one magnum. I took a magnum to the 2016 BWE gathering, and it was pretty darn good 3 years ago.

[Blanquito]

I like the 96 and 00 almost equally, but at least for current drinking I slightly prefer the 96.

But my favorite post-1990 vintage these days is the 1995. Terrific last year.

[Blanquito]

I would also be curious about any recent experiences with the 1996. I have no more 750s, but I have one magnum. I took a magnum to the 2016 BWE gathering, and it was pretty darn good 3 years ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed that magnum! It was leaner in fruit (as is the norm for most vintages of S-M) than most of the other exalted wines making the rounds that night, but it acquitted itself very well in my book.

[Claudius2]

I thought the 2000 and 2001 had a slight green/herby streak to them which does not suit my palate.
I never got that character from the 96, and unlike some others, I drank it quite young.

[Bordhead2000]

Thanks for the note, Jim. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for this. My favorite wine houses don't have this vintage in stock at the moment. Have you been cellaring this for a while?

[AlexR]

Yes, a very controversial wine.

I think it's kind of a "you love it or you hate it" kind of wine.
I'm in the former camp.
One of my wine buddies badmouths the wine but, as Jim says, at age 30 I think it will be a beauty and I would love to serve it to my friend blind at that time .

All the best,
Alex R.

[robert goulet]

Had the 2000 xmas '18...wonderful classic bordeaux

[AKR]

I find the 2000 a bit stern. Maybe it just needs way more decanting time.