2005 Sociando Mallet Cuvee Jean Gautreau

The 2005 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc picked between September 19 and October 6. One bottle was quite vegetal, but another was sensual and sumptuous, offering lovely red currant and cranberry fruit neatly integrated with the new oak. The grainy, tightly wound palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and impressive structure toward the tensile finish. This is one of the best vintages of this cuvée this decade. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.