Chateau Gloria St. Julien, Bordeaux

                                                                      Chateau Gloria is one of the best buys in Red Bordeaux year in and year out. Don't miss the 2021 vintage. Château Gloria was founded by Henri Martin, of Médoc, in 1942 when he acquired six hectares of vines in Saint-Julien. He added onto the estate over the years and once he purchased Château Saint-Pierre, 'a classed estate' from the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, it enabled him to create the world renowned estate, Château Gloria. After Henri passed away in 1991, his daughter Françoise and her husband, Jean-Louis Triaud took the lead, continuing Henri's legacy. The vineyards are planted 65% to Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The wines are fermented in stainless steel and aged for a minimum of 14 months in about 60% new and 40% used French oak barrels. Château Gloria wines are typically firm at the outset, showing their well-structured breed and their dependable ability to age for several years. A classic Left Bank Bordeaux at a very nice price. 94 Points James Suckling: “Excellent depth for 2021. Refined and complex with aromas of graphite, cassis, mineral, chili chocolate, white pepper and cigar box. Fresh and juicy, with fine, polished tannins. Long, refined and nuanced. Medium body. Fine tannins. An overachiever for the vintage. Drink or hold." 93 Points Vinous: ""The 2021 Chateau Gloria, which contains a healthy slug of Petit Verdot (14%), has a clean and pure bouquet with black cherries, bilberry, cedar and crushed violet scents, almost Margaux-like in style. The oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a graphite-tinged entry. This is quite a “vertical” Gloria, conservative in some ways, yet it does not compromise on precision on the finish, and it feels reassuringly long on the aftertaste. There’s good potential here."