1987 Sociando Mallet

Harvest date 2-20 Oct; yield 74.1 hl/ha; vineyard area 29.47 ha Bright crimson. Rather simple cassis nose. (If someone told me this was from an old, cooler Margaret River vintage, I would not be surprised.) Mid weight but well balanced. A little chewy on the finish but much, much riper than, say, the 1977. Dusty tannins on the finish. A certain freshness even if it is difficult to imagine it will ever be especially complex. A rather old-fashioned style – presumably because of the lack of ripeness and the slightly rustic tannins. (JR)