Château Gloria 2021

On the nose, subtle aromas with a hint of green bell pepper and floral notes; on the palate, the wine shows delicate fruit and fine-grained tannins, remarkably crisp, lively, fresh; a finely spicy finish. Built for medium-term maturity.

Open-knit, with crushed mulberry fruit, though a cedary grain and singed savory notes keep this on the trim side throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2026. 16,000 cases made.

Juicy and clean, a lovely light-handed touch to this, strawberry, creamy raspberry and fragrant cherries. Straight but not lean, there’s no harsh austerity here, all in balance with a silky texture. Missing a touch more vibrancy but I like the acidity, fruit purity, soft minerality and sense of gentle calmness here. Totally likeable and easy to drink.

Cask sample. Lacks the density of top years but fruit is present and the tannins are finely honed. A well-crafted, medium-bodied wine with attractive fruit and some persistence on the finish. (JL)

The 2021 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.

Quite spicy, floral and energetic, the wine is medium-bodied, open, fresh, bright and vibrant, with a finish that alternates from sweet to tart, with a spearmint note that shows up in the finish. The wine blends 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. You can enjoy this on release and over the next 15-20 years with ease. Drink from 2024-2038.

Dark ruby, an almost opaque core with purple reflections and subtle brightening at the rim. Fresh black cherries, orange zest, blackberries in the background. On the palate, lively, fine blackberry-driven fruit with well-integrated tannins. A vibrant, fresh style that makes an elegant companion for any table.

I continue to love what this estate does, and their 2021 Château Gloria is certainly worth checking out. Revealing a deep ruby/purple hue with plenty of ripe black cherry and currant fruit, it’s medium-bodied, with a plump, round, layered mouthfeel and solid ripeness in its tobacco, spicy oak, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, this pleasure-driven, balanced, rock-solid 2021 will keep for 10–15 years.

A sculpted wine with finesse and lift, a little soft through the mid-palate. It lacks the signature exuberance you normally find in Gloria, but there’s charming raspberry and loganberry fruit, with anise and liquorice. First year of organic conversion, Jean Michel Comme vineyard consultant, Eric Boissenot wine. Harvest from September 27 to October 9.

The 2021 Gloria has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It bounds out with eager-to-please notes of black raspberries, Morello cherries, and juicy plums, leading to hints of cinnamon stick and rose oil. The medium-bodied palate has a lightly chewy texture and just enough fruit, finishing a tad abruptly.

The latest vintages are very promising and refined. 2021 is no exception: the wine rests on a lovely structure, with notes of red fruit and a pleasant, elongated profile over very polished tannins. The élevage remains discreet.

Soft and silky, with aromas of ripe fruit, graphite and vanilla that don’t overshadow the sensation of biting into a vineyard peach. The palate is lively, highlighted by lovely salinity and real brightness. The finish evokes coffee bean, with a finely grainy texture.

Gloria’s bouquet stands out for its freshness and precision. Precise and fruit-driven in style, it reveals notes of blackcurrant, cedar and cocoa. Fresh and juicy, the wine shows velvety tannins along with a refreshing acidic structure. This latter not only provides drive, but also underpins the intensity and lingering aromatic finish.

Dark, intense, youthful colour. A highly aromatic, fruity and subtle nose. Notes of black fruit combined with excellent oak. Supple on entry, flavoursome on the mid-palate, with a body that is both tender and present, the wine glides across the palate towards a sappy, fragrant finish. A lovely sweetness.

The 2021 Gloria has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of cherries, cassis and licorice, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless palate built around ripe tannins and nicely integrated acids. It's a charming middleweight that will offer plenty of appeal over the next decade and beyond.