Andrew Jefford | Dark, dense black-red in color, almost opaque. Fresh and classical: firm fruits framed by sweet though not obtrusive oak. Appetizing, and there is no sense of strained ripeness here. Foursquare for the year, in best Sociando style: frank, cool Cabernet flavors, with impressive depth and in forthright, clearly articulated style. Vivacious and true. | 89

Michael Schuster | Behind the redcurrant fruit, the property’s gravel mound is clear to smell here; light, crisp, finely dry in tannin. A fresh red fruit dominates the flavor, with a certain elegance and, indeed, length of flavor, all within the year’s cooler, more limited proportions. Perhaps a slight austerity for many tasters today, but this will mellow with time. A hands-off, cool class for the moment but certainly better in a few years. 2024–30. | 87