Château Gloria 2008

A stunning sleeper of the vintage, this beautiful, already irresistible, plum/garnet-colored 2008 is a wine to purchase by the case. It possesses a dense plum/purple color, a glorious perfume of Christmas fruitcake, cedarwood, black currants, jammy cherries and licorice, medium to full body and a silky personality. It will provide both a hedonistic and intellectual turn-on over the next 10-15 years.

This polished red shows good grip from the ripe, well-integrated tannins, which support plum, currant, loam and tobacco flavors. Not heavy, but fills the palate nicely. Balanced and harmonious. Drink now through 2016. 20,830 cases made.

The fruit expression struggles to deepen here, and is more obviously lacking at full maturity. There’s an attractive kick of black pepper on the finish from the 5% Petit Verdot, and a second bottle showed much better, with more classic tobacco and cassis notes, but I would suggest drinking now and over the next five to eight years to capture the fruit.

Sample taken on 15 Mar 2009 [18 days earlier] but still smells fresh and cedary. Pretty firm, good fruit weight, but a bit tough on the finish. May just need more time than some. (JH)

The 2008 Gloria has a slightly rustic but appealing bouquet with singed leather and tobacco infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with good concentration, although it does not quite deliver the complexity and finesse of its peers, as if trying too hard. It is a decent Gloria, although more recent vintages are superior thanks to improvements in the winery. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)

Ready to go, this medium-bodied, elegant charmer hits the spot with its soft, pure, earthy, spicy red fruit character. You can enjoy this now, over the next decade, and probably for at least a few more years after that.

Dense, deep purple-violet. Aromatic bouquet with notes of black cherries and blackcurrant. Superb attack on the palate, peppery extract, plenty of breed and a demanding astringency, long finish with quite a lot of power.

Dense, deep purple-violet. Aromatic bouquet with black cherries and blackcurrant notes. Great attack on the palate, peppery extract, plenty of breed and a still-demanding astringency, long finish. There’s quite a lot of power in there! (17/20). Just before bottling at the estate. On a good track with lots of fruit, seems quite refined and will soon offer early enjoyment.

Spicy, full, classic bouquet with tobacco, precious woods, currants. Fresh, elegant, spicy palate with good tannins, delicate fruit, and a powerful, spicy aromatic profile. Very long, full finish. Can still improve. 17/20

Eucalyptus, mint leaf and spiced plum. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows cool-climate notes of tomato leaf and waxed, slightly austere blue fruits—just a little disappointing right now. But looking at the development of the 2004 and 2006, both bursting from the glass, you can be confident in this wine’s evolution: give it a bit more time or a serious decant, as it’s closed and not showing its best today. 45% new oak. Remi di Constanzo, technical director.

With its dark color, this wine charms with its fruity character and silky mouthfeel.

The wine has great potential, with splendid substance, abundant tannins, and a beautiful length in lovely balance.