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Gloria 2018

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

This Chateau was created in the 1950's by the late Henri Martin who was also the regisseur of Chateau 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. 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 2018 is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot with elevage in 40% new oak.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Gloria

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2018 Gloria is a strong effort in this lush, fruit-driven Bordeaux vintage. Offering up aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and licorice, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit, ripe acids and sweet tannins. Purists will gravitate to the 2019 and 2016, but this demonstrative, hedonistic 2018 can already be approached with pleasure.

91
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (263), October 2022

A full-bodied red with a dense, juicy palate of blueberries and blackcurrants. Some black tea and tree bark, too. Tight yet long and linear finish. Very structured and polished. Drink after 2024.

94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2021

The 2018 Gloria is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged for approximately 14 months in oak barriques, 40% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with flamboyant notes of kirsch, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of potpourri, unsmoked cigars and star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a good amount of juicy black and red fruit flavors, backed up by slightly chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing spicy. 2022 - 2040

92
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (End of Mar), March 2021

Tasted blind. Not very concentrated colour. Sweet and sour. Not the most concentrated wine. Nor the ripest. Correct rather than thrilling. Would not disappoint a bordeaux fan though. 13.5%
Drink 2028 – 2046

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2022

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc; 50% new oak. Barrel sample.
Deepest cherry red. Aromatic black fruit, finely scented without excess sweetness or ripeness. On the palate, flattened a bit by the oak and the tannins, which are compact and layered but dominant at the moment. Should come round once they slim down and unlock the fruit. (JH) 14.1%
Drink 2026-2034

16.5
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2019

Deep in colour, with a cedary, spicy nose of pencil shavings, blackcurrant and rosemary. The palate shows initially quite toasty with new oak, but the plush fruit builds with silky, ripe tannins gently framing juicy cherries and plums. The finish is long, with the oak integrating and the fruit shining through.

91+
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, April 2019

Readers looking for an estate on the uptick need to check out the 2018 Château Gloria, which is up with the finest vintages I’ve tasted from this Saint-Julien estate. Deeply colored with terrific cassis and blackberry fruits as well as ample leafy herbs and sappy flower notes, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, has polished, elegant tannins, and a great finish. It’s a juicy, fruit-forward effort with good concentration and lots of class. Drink it over the coming 25 years or more. The blend is currently 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, from a selection of 65% of the total production, that’s currently resting in 40% new French oak.

92/94
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, May 2019

(60 Cabernet Sauvignon, 32 Merlot, 5 Petit Verdot, 3 Cabernet Franc) | 40% new oak | 14.1% alc There is a nice bonus of red fruit in this wine which sits atop the darker core and it excites the palate. The tannins and acidity are both firm and unresolved, but the fruit is holding them back so I can taste this wine easily. Good balance and decent shape make this an unexpected success for Gloria.

16.5+
Matthew Jukes, MatthewJukes.com, April 2019
Read more tasting notes...

This is a tight and linear red, showing dark berries and blueberries with cedar with flowers. Full-bodied and foursquare. Framed and focused.

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2019

The 2018 Gloria is deep garnet-purple colored and gives up expressive notions of warm red and black currants, black cherries and boysenberries with hints of spice cake, cedar chest, pencil lead and menthol. Full-bodied with a firm texture of ripe, grainy tannins, it has a lively line cutting through the dense, savory layers, finishing on a lingering spicy note. The blend is currently 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated aging is for 14 months in oak barriques, 40% new.

92/94
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019), April 2019
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.