Gloria 2018

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

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

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.

(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.

The 2018 Gloria is tight at first but soon finds its voice with attractive blackberry, raspberry and light cedar/tobacco aromas. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is fresh and focused on the entry, classic in style with tobacco and cedar quite vocal towards the fresh and linear finish. This is a stylish, cerebral Gloria that I suspect will age with style and grace. Excellent. Drink 2024-2050.

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

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.