Château Gloria 2017, from Saint-Julien, blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Medium-bodied and elegant, it shows cassis, blackberry, cherry, and subtle herbal notes, with fine, polished tannins and a fresh, juicy finish. Approachable now but structured to age gracefully through the 2030s.

Decanter | D 92
Published: Apr 9, 2018

Tight but plentiful fruit extraction. The expression is a little less full than in 2016, but there is both finesse and grip to the fine, firmly held tannins as they travel through the palate, accompanying cassis, fern, rosemary, heather and cigar box notes. Enjoyable stuff.

Wine Spectator | WS 92
Published: Mar 31, 2020

Dark and winey in profile, with steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit that is youthfully coiled up, laced with bramble, apple wood and anise notes. Offers a compact finish but the energy is there. Let this unwind in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2034. 20,475 cases made.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 91
Published: Dec 10, 2019

This shows depth. Layers of fruit on a medium body. Juicy and bright with raspberry and cherry character and medium, creamy tannins. Fresh finish. Drink in 2022.

The Wine Advocate | RP 90
Published: Oct 31, 2022
Drink: 2022-2035

An overperformer in the vintage, the 2017 Gloria exhibits attractive aromas of minty berries and cherries mingled with hints of baking chocolate and cigar wrapper. Medium-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an ample core of juicy fruit framed by melting tannins, this is an elegant, seamless Saint-Julien that already drinks very well.

Assembled piecemeal over the years by the late Henri Martin, Château Gloria's highly morcellated holdings are concentrated in three main zones: on the border with Pauillac near Batailley (including one hectare within Pauillac that has been granted permission to appear as Saint-Julien); on the plateau near Gruaud Larose; and to the south of the village of Saint-Julien, not far from Saint-Pierre. Soils are correspondingly various. Winemaking emphasizes purity of fruit and textural generosity: vinification is in stainless steel tank with regular but small pump-overs and at a rather low temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius, with extraction adapted in function of the maturity and quality of fruit, followed by élevage in barriques that are chosen with increasing exigence. The result is a wine that's polished but classic in profile, with plenty of fleshy charm but also an unequivocally Médocain personality.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 16+
Published: Sep 16, 2021

Tasted blind. Deep ruby-purple colour. Slightly reticent but pure cassis fruit on the nose. The depth comes on the palate – there is real drive of black fruit and bright acidity to offer real energy. There is a sweet, juicy edge to the fruit that makes this soft and approachable. The tannins are fine and offer a delicate structure against the fruit. Should drink well in the medium term.