(55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% merlot): Good medium ruby. Enticing aromas of raspberry, dark chocolate and sweet oak. Rich, silky and full but not at all heavy; round, fresh and nicely balanced. Very well delineated flavors of black and red fruits offer impressive lift. Finishes with substantial but very fine tannins that reach the front teeth. A moderate 13.1% alcohol, vs. 13.3% for the 2003.

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Harvest date 19 Sep-6 Oct; yield 59 hl/ha; vineyard area 68.77 haVery dark crimson - much bluer than the 2006 for example. Fresh yet intense. Lots of appetising notes here. Not at all heavy. Racy. Almost light and transparent! Very mineral. Very much of the terroir. Real succulence. Not heavy handed at all - still an undertow of cassis. Excellent balance.

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Always one of the most ageworthy and backward wines of Bordeaux, Sociando Mallet could be described as the poor man's version of Latour or Montrose. Based on the still painfully young bottles of the 1975 and 1982 in my cellar, the 2005 will undoubtedly last for 30-40 years. It exhibits graphite, black currant liqueur, smoke, and toast characteristics, zesty acidity, huge tannins, and equally massive concentration and extract. From a proprietor who consistently transcends his pedigree, it is a beauty of purity and symmetry.

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Vanilla, blackberry and floral aromas follow through to a medium body, with velvety tannins and a medium chocolate and berry aftertaste. A little light for this esteemed estate. 33,330 cases made.

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Deep purple. Thick legs, some cellulite. Manure at first (seriously, not grass not earth, but dried earthy manure). Some dark fruit in the background. Thankfully dark fruit and earthy to the taste. no sign of manure. Fairly heavy but very well balanced. Score based on evolution with air, not love for manure.