Chateau Gloria Saint-Julien 2018

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

94 JD / 94 JS / 94 WE / 93 NM / 93 WS / 93 AG / 93 Decanter

Chateau Gloria is a classic Saint-Julien, created by Henri Martin and the only one of its kind as this 50-hectare vineyard was put together piece-by-piece over a number of years through the purchase of plots exclusively from grands crus classified in 1855. It is a vineyard covering 50 hectares, with an average vine age of 40 years, spread across three areas, in the middle of Beychevelle and then in the west and the north of the appellation (bordering Pauillac) on soil made up of Gunzian gravel covering a layer of clay and sand.

“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. Barrel Sample: 92-94.”—Jeb Dunnuck 94 points!

Once the grapes have been picked by hand, the harvest is vinified in the traditional way in heat-regulated stainless-steel vats, in order to produce truly exceptional wines which can be laid down for a long time. The wine then spends 14 months being aged in casks, with an average of 40% of them being replaced every year.

The 2018 Gloria will drink optimally now through 2035.