Good deep ruby-red. Enticing nose combines red cherry, smoke, meat and tobacco. Less dense than usual but vibrant, offering a nice combination of sweet, energetic herbal red berry and oak flavors. Finishes with firm, mounting tannins and a lingering green note that really detracts from its charm. This struck me as a little disappointing even for the vintage given the talented team at Sociando-Mallet; I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for the time being but am a little uneasy about the strong green notes.

Soft for a wine that is often quite extracted, rich and very ageworthy, the 2013 is a much more friendly prospect for drinking at an early age – over the next 7-8 years. Deep ruby/purple with cassis and blueberry fruit, a hint of wet rocks, soft tannins and moderate body, this is not by any means a very concentrated wine, but it is well-made and pure without any astringent tannin or vegetal characteristics.