Chateau Gloria 2015
(Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France) - [JS 94] [WE 94] [VM 93] [WS 93] [JL 93] [JD 92] [WP 92]

About the Winery:
Château Gloria is one of the most emblematic estates in the Saint-Julien appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank. An unclassified St-Julien property that produces clarets that equal in quality those from the more prestigious classed growths, Henri Martin, a cooper by upbringing, took over the property in 1942. He meticulously built up the property through the acquisition of plots of vines from Grands Crus Classés in 1855, such as Gruaud-Larose, Talbot, Lagrange and Léoville-Barton. By the mid 1960s he had 50 hectares spread across the appellation. In 1982 he purchased Château Saint-Pierre and thus realized his lifetime ambition of owning a Grand Cru Classé property.

Henri Martin died in 1991 and Gloria is now run by his son-in-law Jean-Louis Triaud. The wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It is aged in a combination of large oak foudres and small oak barrels (50% new).

About this Wine:
The 2015 captures its expressive, fruit-rich character, combining Cabernet Sauvignon structure with the supple texture of Merlot.

Vineyard & Blend:
The estate's vines average around 40 years old across three sectors of Saint-Julien. Gravel soils over sandy-clay subsoils underpin the wine's identity. The 2015 blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc.

Winemaking:
The producer's vintage sheet records fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and 14 months of barrel aging, using 40% new barrels. Bottling took place in June 2017.

Tasting Profile & Food Pairings:
Blackberry, plum and cassis are complemented by tobacco, earthy spice and hints of violet. The wine combines a rounded middle palate with fresh acidity and fine tannins. Suggested pairings include roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck breast, braised mushrooms and mature hard cheeses.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast:
"One of two classed-growth estates in Saint-Julien owned by the descendants of Henri Martin, this estate has been renovated and the results show in this well-crafted wine. Ripe tannins are balanced by smoky blackberry fruits and pure, clean acidity. Drink the wine from 2024." - Roger Voss (Feb 2018)

94 Points – James Suckling:
“Minty cassis, tobacco and berries with finely roasted spices. This is aging nicely, with a very good presentation of fine tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Juicy, with sweet tannins lingering in the lengthy finish. A very elegant 2015 that shows poise, structure and also finesse. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 7% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. From a vertical tasting at the winery.” – Zekun Shuai (Aug 2025)

93 Points – Vinous Media:
“The 2015 Gloria is another Saint-Julien that has improved over the last 12 months. It has a bolder and more exuberant bouquet than some of its peers, featuring lush blackberry and blueberry fruit and revealing a touch of iodine and crushed violet with aeration. The medium-bodied palate displays supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and very pure fruit intensity (black cherries, bilberry and boysenberry), although it clams shut toward the finish. Slightly more modern in style than its peers, this should still age with style. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.” – Neal Martin (Jul 2019)

93 Points & #63 Top 100 of 2018 – Wine Spectator:
“Well-steeped plum, fig and boysenberry fruit is richly layered, supported by embedded brambly grip and backed by waves of ganache and sweet tobacco on the finish. This has plenty of energy to carry it in the cellar while it rounds into form. Best from 2023 through 2038. 18,333 cases made.” – James Molesworth (Mar 2018)

93 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider:
“This is just a terrific wine and value. Elegant, refined, fresh, lively, and with an earthy, ripe, dark, red berry character that grows and expands in the glass and on your palate. Medium/full bodied.” (Mar 2018)

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that saw 40% new oak, the 2015 Château Gloria is a beautiful Saint-Julien that’s well worth seeking out and drinking. Blackcurrants, damp earth, spicy oak and hints of leafy herbs all flow to an upfront, elegant, yet fruit forward 2015 that has sweet tannin and good freshness. It’s no doubt a charmer, yet will see its 20th birthday in fine form. Tasted twice." (Nov 2017)

92 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate:
“The 2015 Gloria is medium to deep garnet in color. It has a nose of baked plums and boysenberries with an undercurrent of chocolate-covered cherries and spice cake, plus a hint of Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy with plenty of freshness and a peppery kick to the finish. (Drink between 2022-2032)”

91 Points - Wine Advocate:
"A notable success in the vintage, the 2015 Gloria exhibits aromas of sweet dark berries, cigar wrapper and loamy soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate. Impressively concentrated and seamless, it's built around ripe, powdery tannins that are so supple that the wine can already be approached with pleasure." - William Kelley (Oct 2022)