Farr Vintners customers will know that we are great fans of the 2019 Bordeaux vintage. The more we taste these wines, the more we like them and the more we believe that 2019 is a truly special year. There are brilliant wines to be found at every level.
One of the vintage’s bargains is the outstanding Château Gloria, which is drawing brilliant praise from the critics. Long, fine, plush and spicy, it is a wine that is already seductive, though it will really hit its stride in 5 – 10 years, and keep for another 20. Neal Martin has given it the highest rating ever for this château at 96 points, saying it has “the most precise and delineated nose among an impressive array of Saint-Julien's this year." It is level with Beychevelle (£1,050 per dozen), and outscores Branaire (£460 per dozen) and Talbot (£640 per dozen).
A relatively young estate, the history of Gloria started in 1942, when Henri Martin purchased 6 hectares of vines located in the Left Bank in the St Julien appellation. The vines were previously the property of Château Beychevelle.
A consistent St Julien out-performer at the Southwold and 10 Year On tastings, it invariably holds its own against the big names.
The 2019 Gloria has a compelling nose: black fruit, crushed rocks, tobacco and very subtle marine scents that are all beautifully combined. Perhaps the most precise and delineated nose among an impressive array of Saint-Julien's this year. The palate is medium-bodied with a lively opening. A touch of soy infuses the black fruit; fine-boned with wonderful sapidity on the finish. Extraordinary length. Serious. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2027 - 2060
This is Neal Martin's highest score for Château Gloria in any vintage.
The 2019 Gloria has turned out very well, delivering aromas of blackcurrants, plums, burning embers and a deft framing of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated, with a vibrant core of ripe and fleshy fruit, lively acids and powdery structuring tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully firm finish, this shows considerable promise. Drink Date 2027 - 2060
Tasted blind at Southwold. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Melot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, with a healthy yield of 40hl/ha, aged in 45% new French oak. Layered spice and sweet plum with hints of cassis on the nose. The palate is highly refined, with an elegant, compact style focusing on balance rather than power. Supple tannins, bright acids and cool dark fruit combine in this approachable, moreish wine. Cedary with flecks of savoury spice on the finish, this is both classic and crowdpleasing. Fine.
Sweet berry and cherry aromas with violets, following through to a medium to full body with creamy, linear tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tight and curated, in a structured way. Try after 2027.
Another winning velvety texture out of St Julien. You can trace the warmth and generosity of the vintage in the concentration and the ripeness of these blackberry and raspberry fruits but it is so seductive and carefully balanced with a core of freshness and a ton of crushed stone, black chocolate and baked earth adding layers and interest. This should be good value and is a definite buy. So much character and personality, right up there with the best vintages of this property. 40% new oak, 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drinking Window 2026 - 2042
Tasted blind. Complex nose with savoury layers. Aromatic ink. Smooth and polished. Lovely balance with really lively energy. Nothing forced. Very long. Almost pretty!
