Château Gloria - Domaines Martin - Saint-Julien 2020 (750ml)

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Producer	Château Gloria - Domaines Martin
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Saint Julien
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot,  Cabernet Franc,  Petit Verdot
Vintage	2020
Sku	38995
Size	750ml

 

WA

92

JD

93

JR

16.5

JS

94

Château Gloria is the remarkable achievement of Henri Martin, who meticulously assembled the estate in Saint-Julien through patient negotiations with neighboring owners. Over time, Martin acquired various "cru classé" parcels situated on prime Günzian gravel, culminating in the 1970s with a 44-hectare estate, later expanded to 50 hectares. This feat is particularly impressive given that most of Saint-Julien's 900 hectares belong to 11 "grands crus classés". Despite its high-quality terroir, Château Gloria isn't officially classified as a "cru classé" simply because it didn't exist during the 1855 classification. Nevertheless, the estate has earned significant recognition, living up to its name that evokes glory and success. It stands as a testament to Martin's vision and determination in creating a new, highly regarded "cru" in one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations.

Château Gloria is a unique Saint-Julien estate, meticulously assembled by Henri Martin through the acquisition of parcels, most of which were classified as "grands crus" in 1855. The wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Grapes are manually harvested, and vinification follows traditional methods in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then matured for 14 months in oak casks, with an average of 40% new oak annually. This combination of prestigious terroir, careful viticulture, and precise winemaking techniques has earned Château Gloria worldwide recognition for its quality, despite its unconventional origins outside the 1855 classification.

This is poised and elegant with notes of bitter chocolate, crushed walnuts, black peppercorns, blackberries and blackcurrants. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and layers of fresh black fruit. Classy. Try from 2026.

Just about a perennial must-buy, the 2020 Château Gloria is another terrific vintage for this Saint-Julien château, which always seems to turn out a fabulous wine that sells for a great price. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as impressive aromatics of ripe blackcurrants, plums, camphor, smoked tobacco, and gravelly earth, it's a wine that blossoms with time in the glass. (I followed this bottle for multiple days.) Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has beautifully polished tannins, outstanding balance, and the more focused style of the vintage. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Rich, generous and demonstrative, the 2020 Gloria bursts with aromas of cherries, sweet berries, plum liqueur and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, it will offer a broad drinking window.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Spicy, sweet yet fresh dark fruits. With a cedary fresh lift. That cedary flavour on the palate, too, but this is pretty severe in its tannic structure. Demanding on the palate even though it is aromatically open. (JH)