| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This château was created in the 1950s by the late Henri Martin who was also the regisseur of Château Latour. Consequently it does not appear in the 1855 classification but surely would if it were ever updated. Along with big brother Saint Pierre, the quality here has improved massively in the last few years and this is a top St Julien performer these days. There are 50 hectares of vines which are planted 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Usually St Julien's best value.
The 2020 Gloria is another Saint-Julien with an unapologetically backward nose, yet it has razor-sharp delineation and superb mineralité. It's just tightly coiled at the moment. Very harmonious, the palate is medium-bodied and satiny in texture, with sapid black fruit and a precocious yet beautifully controlled and persistent finish. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2030 - 2065
Rich, generous and demonstrative, the 2020 Gloria bursts with aromas of cherries, sweet berries, plum liqueur and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, it will offer a broad drinking window. 2023 - 2040
This is poised and elegant with notes of bitter chocolate, crushed walnuts, black peppercorns, blackberries and blackcurrants. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and layers of fresh black fruit. Classy. Try from 2026.
The 2020 Gloria has a deep garnet-purple color. It rocks up with ready-to-go notes of baked blackberries, warm cassis, and blueberry compote, plus hints of pencil lead, black olives, and clove oil. Medium-bodied, the palate is generous and refreshing, with velvety tannins and a provocative lift on the finish.
A brilliant wine from a great vintage in St Julien, rich, silky and utterly delicious. Espresso, cocoa, creamy blackberry and cassis, with juicy depths, spellbinding, concentrated and full of charm and character. 45% new oak. Remi di Constanzo technical director. Drink 2030-2050.
Full bottle 1,295 g. Cask sample taken 31 March. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot. Aged for just 14 months in cask.
Deep crimson. Very lively and well-balanced with the acidity and fruit and tannin all in nice harmony. Restrained but fully ripe. Classic and successful. Very appetising and long finish. 13.5%
Drink 2026 – 2043
The 2020 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot. The abv is 13.3% this year and yields are down on 2019. A small percentage of amphoras are now used in tandem with oak to round flavours without adding oak spice. They have now also started the process of converting to organic certification. Bright ruby colour. Delicate red fruit and intense florality on the nose with cedar and savoury spice. The palate is compact and midweight, full of fresh red fruit and a hint of dried herbs. Light and sandy tannins add to this fresh perception through to the finish. This should drink well from its youth.
(50% CS, 35% M, 4% CF, 1% PV; 34hl/ha; 13.3% ABV; 40% new)
Lightly gravelly nose, with nice ripe blackcurrant fruit; rich, fresh, medium-full, and lightly tannic wine; fleshy, juicy, easy, freshly defined and immediate, fairly silky textured, accessible soon, and in a relatively opulent style for the year. Nice length, most attractive. 2026–40+.
The 2020 Gloria is the last vintage before the estate moved completely towards organic farming. It has a lovely bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, orange rind and sous-bois aromas, precise and focused. The oak is nicely integrated here (40% new). The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, harmonious and poised, just a little soy in the background, almost understated towards the finish that gently fans out. It might drink a little earlier than I estimated from barrel, but it's going be a gem.
The 2020 Gloria has an intense nose of penetrating blackberry, raspberry, crushed violet and crushed stone aromas. After 20 minutes, this just blossoms in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity and just a touch of espresso and orange peel toward the finish, which remains taught and focused. What a wonderful Gloria! This might actually surpass its sibling, Château St. Pierre, this year. Drink 2028-2050.
Very focused and poised with blackberry, blackcurrant and graphite character. It’s full-to medium-bodied with racy tannins and a long, dynamic finish. Will be interesting to see if 2020 is better than 2019.
Opaque purple-black colored, the 2020 Gloria comes soaring out of the glass with notes of blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums and blueberry compote, followed by suggestions of powdered cinnamon, cedar chest and menthol, plus a waft of graphite. The medium to full-bodied palate is completely coated with juicy black fruits, framed by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot, aging for approximately 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. The alcohol is 13.3%. 2024 - 2043
A brilliant wine from a great vintage in St Julien, rich, silky and utterly delicious. Espresso, cocoa, creamy blackberry and cassis, with juicy depths, spellbinding, concentrated and full of charm and character. 45% new oak. Remi di Constanzo technical director.
I love the clear depth to the blueberry and blackberry fruit on the nose here, a sense of elegance and glamour. Silky yet with a kick, this is enjoyable with a saltine cracker twist on the finish - an excellent St-Julien, but a little disappointing for this particular estate when considered next to recent vintages. Tasted twice.
Drinking Window 2026 - 2042
