Chateau Sociando Mallet 1996

90 THE WINEADVOCATE: "A classic Sociando-Mallet, this wine boasts a saturated purple color, as well as an intense nose of cassis liqueur, chocolate, and minerals. Dense and medium-bodied, with outstanding purity, and high tannin, this beautifully made wine is better than many classified growths. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020." 90 ANTONIO GALLONI: "Dark purple-ruby. Roasted nose combines blackberry, espresso and licorice. Large-scaled, mouthfilling and impressively deep; boasts terrific intensity and sweetness. Very long, ripely tannic finish. The estate has high hopes for its ´98, but it hard to believe it will surpass this wine."