Château Sociando-Mallet is a 225-acre estate in St.-Seurin-de-Cadourne, which is part of the Haut-Medoc appellation just north of the city of Bordeaux. It has been owned since 1969 by Jean Gautreau, who was a negociant and exporter until buying the château, which was dilapidated. After many improvements and much updating, the estate is today considered by some reviewers, including Robert M. Parker Jr., to be the jewel of the Haut-Medoc. The vineyards are planted to 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Though the estate is unclassified, Parker says the château makes “uncompromising wines of extremely high quality….Sociando-Mallet is easily the equal of many of the classified growths….”