CHÂTEAU GLORIA

The 2016 Gloria is one of the undisputed stars of this vintage. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous intensity in all of its dimensions. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, menthol, licorice and dried rose petal all add complexity. In 2016 Gloria is a real head-turner. It should be a fabulous value as well. There is not much else to say. Drinking range: 2026 - 2046 Rating: 96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2019)

The 2016 Gloria is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc that was picked from 29 September until 17 October. It is matured in slightly less oak than the Saint-Pierre, at 40%. This is a little more backward and broody compared to the Saint-Pierre and indeed its Saint Julien peers, demanding more coaxing from the glass. It almost reluctantly unfolds and unveils subtle pencil box and dry tobacco aromas. The palate is more outgoing than the aromatics with a vibrant, almost citrus-fresh opening, tensile tannins and a satisfying sense of energy. This feels nimble and agile in the mouth with a touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. You come away with the feeling that this Gloria has something up its sleeve for those with patience to cellar it for eight to ten years. Drinking range: 2024 - 2060 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Sweet and energetic and very glossy. Just a little austere on the end. Bone dry. Quite demanding. Just not quite enough ripe fruit for the not inconsiderable tannins. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2017)

Shows a flash of mint before giving way to a torrent of blueberry, blackberry and cassis flavors, pushed by energetic acidity and juicy, brambly grip. Plum cake and anise line the finish, along with a flash of tobacco. Lots going on here. Rating: 93-96 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2017)

Dense and layered red with berry and tobacco character, a full body and a savory finish. Got it all here. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2017)

Immediately on the nose you get the rich structure of the fruit, rippling with texture and life. It has just the right amount of drama, offering a tight and well-focussed delivery. This is beautiful, showing great underlying freshness and grip with real tension and minerality. Drinking range: 2027 - 2050 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Gloria is striking. Ripe, dense and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2016 exudes class. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, pomegranate, rose petal, cinnamon and licorice notes abound, but it is the wine's juiciness and overall texture that are most appealing, A super-classic Saint-Julien, Gloria delivers serious quality for the money. Despite its obvious depth and fleshiness, the 2016 Gloria is also one of the most restrained, gracious Saint-Juliens readers will come across. Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Working with its new winery for the first time in 2016, Gloria has made a fine, aromatic, well structured blend, with more tannin and concentration than the 2015, but similar levels of perfume and finesse. Serious and age worthy, it’s sappy and long. Drinking range: 2024 - 2036 Rating: 94 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Gloria is noticeably deeper in color than its peers. It has a charming bouquet of blackberry, briar, brown spices and touches of sandalwood, complex and developing loamy elements with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Quite mineral-driven, leading into a composed, precise finish that indicates careful winemaking from great terroir. Superb. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. Drinking range: 2026 - 2060 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 1899)