Castle Gloria - Saint-Julien 2013

Wine Advocate

86 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

The 2013 Gloria perhaps does not quite have the same charm as the 2013 Saint-Pierre: a little backward, lacking a sense of lift and perfume. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry, the tannins harder than Saint Pierre with a simple, earthy finish that needs more fruit intensity. Tasted twice, once at the property, the second example demonstrated a little more freshness, but otherwise I might be inclined to opt for Saint-Pierre in this vintage.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

the3/31/2016

Jamessuckling.com

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2016

This is a 2013 with blueberry and currant aromas and flavors. Medium body, polished tannins and a juicy finish. Hints of walnuts too. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate

87-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

It is hard to ever find fault with this beautiful wine, which shows plenty of cassis, black olive/tapenade notes with juicy blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. It is medium-bodied, pure and quite spicy and fruity. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

86-88 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/16/2014

Good deep ruby-red.  Minerals and smoked meat complement bright blackcurrant on the nose.  Dense but juicy on the palate, with fresh red and black berry flavors lingering nicely through the long minerally, floral finish.  Lovely acidity nicely extends the flavors at the back.  A second sample I tried on another day in a different venue showed slightly more rustic, chewy tannins.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe5/7/2014

Further evidence that St Julien fared better than most Médoc communes in 2013, this is a bright, silky, perfumed Gloria that’s almost ready to drink now. The tannins are just right, supported by sweet oak, smooth cassis and red cherry fruit and a long finish.

matthewjukes.com

15,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/23/2014

(70 Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 Merlot, 4 Cabernet Franc) Very forward and juicy and some touches of oak, development and leather but pretty well knit already. Smooth, sultry and fragrant. A little tannic on the finish.

Vinous

83-86 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/18/2014

The 2013 Gloria is marked by slight hints of reduction in the bouquet. Violets, crushed roses, cinnamon and savory herbs are all layered into the finish. Overall, this is a fleeting, ethereal wine with limited depth and complexity. If the reduction blows off, the fruit may emerge a little more fully. We will see.

My Bettane + Desseauve

15 / 20

the4/15/2014

Boisé marqué, avec un petit départ d’acétate sur deux échantillons, beau raisin mûr pour le millésime, texture crémeuse, plus sensuel que la moyenne pour Saint-Julien, mais sur une trame encore un peu floue.

Wine Advocate

84-86 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/15/2014

I tasted the Château Gloria three times and was never totally convinced that it will amount to much after bottling, which is a shame because the estate has turned round some outstanding wines in recent vintages. It has a rather herbaceous, undergrowth-scented bouquet that is missing some fruit concentration. The palate is pinched on the entry with high acidity and the finish is too abrupt. This is nowhere near the quality of the estate's superb wines in recent vintages.

Decanter.com

16,8 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/14/2014

Dense colour, good smoky cassis nose, depth and clarity of fruit, still green  but good depth and class.

Jamessuckling.com

88-89 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

Clean and tangy with dried-berry and raspberry character. Medium body. Silky tannins. Gloria made the most of its grapes this year.      

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/3/2014

A dark appearance and bold tannins make for a structured wine, however there is a good balance between weight and fruit that bodes well for this wine’s solid future.

Wine Spectator

87-90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2014

A plump, almost gutsy style, with dark plum and blackberry fruit, bolstered by ample roasted cedar and apple wood notes. Lacks range but shows solid muscle. —J.M.