Gloria - Saint-Julien 2020

Vinous

95-95

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2025

The 2020 Gloria is another Saint-Julien with an unapologetically backward nose, yet it has razor-sharp delineation and superb mineralité. It's just tightly coiled at the moment. Very harmonious, the palate is medium-bodied and satiny in texture, with sapid black fruit and a precocious yet beautifully controlled and persistent finish. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Alexandre Ma

92

byAlexandre Mathe4/18/2023

Wine Advocate

92

byWilliam Kelleythe4/6/2023

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.

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Youthfully taut and well-structured, with singed apple wood and licorice root notes holding a core of red currant, dark plum and blackberry fruit in check for now. Reveals a nice racy graphite underpinning on the finish. One for the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2038.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

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.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Showing even better in the bottle than it did in the barrel, this is a stunning vintage for Gloria which kicks off with a gorgeous display of flowers, currants, espresso, tobacco and cedar. The wine is medium-bodied, with ample layers of fresh, vibrant red and black fruits, soft tannins and a savory edge to the elegant, supple finish. If you have not tasted Gloria for a while, this is a great place to start as it competes with many Classified Growths today. Drink from 2025-2045.

Alexandre Ma

92

byAlexandre Mathe3/15/2023

Wines Critic

95

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Lively and decisive in the sensory profile showing notes of lavender, hibiscus, guaranà , lemon blossom, lime peel and coriander. A lot of cherries dominate the secondary scene and bring character and shine to the matrix. Full bodied, perfectly mature tannins and a solid, centred finale which shows elegance, strength and modernity. Better from 2025.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Gloria is a very pretty, lifted Saint-Julien. Blood orange, mint, sweet red berry fruit, white pepper and rose petal all grace the 2020. Gloria is a wine of energy and understatement. The 2020 is especially charming.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Gloria is the last vintage before the estate moved completely towards organic farming. It has a lovely bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, orange rind and sous-bois aromas, precise and focused. The oak is nicely integrated here (40% new). The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, harmonious and poised, just a little soy in the background, almost understated towards the finish that gently fans out. It might drink a little earlier than I estimated from barrel, but it's going be a gem.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

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.

TASTED

91

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Aromatic and floral with violet, darker fruit, more on the cabernet side, cassis, dark cherry with fine oak. Classic elegant style with medium weight, dense young fruit, polished tannin and a fine length.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Gloria is impressive. Bright and punchy, yet quintessentially medium in body, Gloria impresses for its exceptional balance. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, white pepper and rose petal give this bright, chiseled Saint-Julien so much character. Gloria is such a pretty and inviting Saint-Julien. Tasted two times.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Playing in the same class as the 2016, 2018, and 2019, the 2020 Château Gloria reveals a vivid purple hue as well beautiful blue fruits intermixed with gravelly earth, graphite, and crushed stone. I was able to taste this on two separate occasions and it was brilliant both times, offering medium to full-bodied richness and a powerful yet weightless mouthfeel as well as silky tannins. It also has a terrific sense of freshness. It will drink well relatively young yet keep for two decades.

Tastingbook.com

92

byMarkus Del Monegothe5/28/2021

Dark purple colour with violet hue and black core. Aromatic nose reminiscent of blackberries and hints of roses, subtle oak and mild spices. On the palate elegant, medium bodied with very long length, ripe fruit, frehness and ripe tannins.  

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Gloria has an intense nose of penetrating blackberry, raspberry, crushed violet and crushed stone aromas. After 20 minutes, this just blossoms in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity and just a touch of espresso and orange peel toward the finish, which remains taught and focused. What a wonderful Gloria! This might actually surpass its sibling, Château St. Pierre, this year.

Decanter.com

92

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

I love the clear depth to the blueberry and blackberry fruit on the nose here, a sense of elegance and glamour. Silky yet with a kick, this is enjoyable with a saltine cracker twist on the finish - an excellent St-Julien, but a little disappointing for this particular estate when considered next to recent vintages. Tasted twice.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Tobacco, cedar and black currants create the nose. On the palate the medium-bodied wine is soft, refined, elegant, fresh and a touch savory, finishing with blackberry, cocoa, currants and earth. Give this 4-6 years in the cellar and enjoy it for about 2 decades after that. 92-94

Wine Advocate

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Opaque purple-black colored, the 2020 Gloria comes soaring out of the glass with notes of blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums and blueberry compote, followed by suggestions of powdered cinnamon, cedar chest and menthol, plus a waft of graphite. The medium to full-bodied palate is completely coated with juicy black fruits, framed by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot, aging for approximately 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. The alcohol is 13.3%.

Bernard Burtschy

94-95

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

My Bettane + Desseauve

93-94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/23/2021

Very focused and poised with blackberry, blackcurrant and graphite character. It’s full-to medium-bodied with racy tannins and a long, dynamic finish. Will be interesting to see if 2020 is better than 2019.