Jean Gautreau purchased Sociando Mallet in 1969 when it was at a low ebb with only 7 hectares under vine and a completely dilapidated Chateau and winery. All these years later and there are now more than 80 hectares under vine and modern winery and renovated Chateau. Sadly in 2019 Jean Gautreau, aged 92, passed away. His daughter Sylvie Gautreau and grandson Arthur Gautreau are now in charge of the estate.
The vineyards lie immediately to the north of St Estephe overlooking the Gironde on a continuation of the same gravel and clay mounds that are found in Pauillac and St Estephe and are planted with 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. In the vineyards they have eschewed the modern practice of green harvest, relying upon winter pruning and allowing the vines to find their own natural level of yields, sometimes as high as 80hl ph. This can gives the property a distinctive green pepper note and quite robust tannins that take to settle.
