Chateau Gloria 2022
(Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France) - [JS 96] [JL 95] [VM 94] [JD 94] [JA 94] [WA 93] [WS 93] [DM 93]

About the Winery:
Château Gloria is one of the most emblematic estates in the Saint-Julien appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank. An unclassified St-Julien property that produces clarets that equal in quality those from the more prestigious classed growths, Henri Martin, a cooper by upbringing, took over the property in 1942. He meticulously built up the property through the acquisition of plots of vines from Grands Crus Classés in 1855, such as Gruaud-Larose, Talbot, Lagrange and Léoville-Barton. By the mid 1960s he had 50 hectares spread across the appellation. In 1982 he purchased Château Saint-Pierre and thus realized his lifetime ambition of owning a Grand Cru Classé property.

Henri Martin died in 1991 and Gloria is now run by his son-in-law Jean-Louis Triaud. The wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It is aged in a combination of large oak foudres and small oak barrels (50% new).

About this Wine:
The 2022 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot. It combines concentrated Cabernet-led fruit with the estate's generous, polished style.

Vineyard & Blend:
Gloria's vineyards occupy three areas around Beychevelle, western Saint-Julien and the northern boundary near Pauillac. Vines average approximately 40 years old on Gunzian gravel over sandy-clay subsoils. The 2022 blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc.

Winemaking:
Traditional fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by 14 months in barrels, 40% new.

Tasting Profile & Food Pairings:
Cassis and dark berries meet cedar, mint, spice and a chalky mineral impression. Concentrated fruit and ample tannins give this young wine a firm structure. Suggested pairings include roast lamb, grilled beef, duck and mushroom dishes. Cellaring will allow the fruit, tannins and oak to integrate.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points – James Suckling:
“A great Gloria from this striking vintage, which is not classical, but offers depth, concentration and masses of fine tannins. The broadest and most full-bodied Gloria as well, with superb intensity and small, dusty tannins, which together make the wine beguilingly approachable at a young age, though it is a little closed now. Deep aromas of cassis, blackberries, tapenade and dark chocolate, but if you expect a fuller picture of complexity and layers, wait for another four to five years. There is still lovely restraint to this big wine, which is built to age in the next 20 years. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 9% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc. From a vertical tasting at the winery.” – Zekun Shuai (Aug 2025)

95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider:
“Flowers, black cherries, plums, and chocolate hit all the right notes. The wine is medium-bodied, silky, elegant, soft, and polished, with layers of plums and cocoa from start to finish. 13.8% ABV. Drink from 2025-2042.” (May 2023)

94 Points – Vinous Media:
“The 2022 Gloria has an engaging and complex nose: black fruit, touches of blueberry, welcome estuarine scents, almost seaweed-like. Well defined, and the oak here is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, well judged acidity, gains weight towards the finish but it maintains superb delineation and focus. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.” – Neal Martin (Mar 2026)

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck:
“Cassis, spicy oak, exotic blue fruits, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2022 Château Gloria, a concentrated yet beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied effort from this team. It has terrific purity, a chalky sense of minerality, ample tannins, and a great finish. The 2022 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged 14 months in barrel. Hide bottles for 4-6 years if you can and enjoy over the following two decades.” (Feb 2025)

94 Points – Jane Anson's Inside Bordeaux:
“Deep plum colour, plenty of tannic grip that delivers poise and a frame that holds the deeply concentrated spices, sandalwood, campfire, cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus and mint. Edge of exuberance without going overboard. In biodynamic conversion. An upscore from En Primeur.” (Dec 2024)

93 Points – Wine Advocate:
“The 2022 Gloria has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of minty blackberries, tobacco leaf and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, it's seamless and charming, with good balance and a flavorful finish. It's a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot.” – William Kelley (Mar 2025)

93 Points – Wine Spectator:
“A pretty violet note leads off before the core of kirsch, linzer torte and plum sauce starts to yawn awake. Licorice snap and bramble are injected into the finish, along with an apple wood accent. Shows grip and focus. For fans of the gutsy style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2038. 17,000 cases made.” – James Molesworth (May 2025)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A dark and toasted nose full of chocolate and coffee scents. Concentrated but full of cool blueberries and cola. Still quite massy, the tannins are at the fore, but they're fine rather than being too chewy or plush. Nicely controlled with focus and persistence and still juiciness on the finish which is so appealing. Mint, wet stones and a touch of bitter orange peel at the end." -Georgina Hindle (Jan 2025)