2023 Château Gloria St-Julien

Winery Château Gloria

Château Gloria is a fixture in Saint-Julien, known for its consistent style and reliability. The estate was established in the 1940s by Henri Martin, who acquired plots of some of the appellation's finest crus classés. Gloria's wines combine classic structure with accessibility and are crafted with precision and balance. The 2023 vintage also marks the final year of the estate's organic conversion.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Château Gloria is located in the heart of Saint-Julien, on soils consisting of deep gravel layers with a clay subsoil. This combination ensures good drainage and contributes to the structure and length of the wine. The 2023 vintage experienced varied conditions, with careful vineyard selection and timing determining the quality. The best wines of the year combine ripe fruit with fresh tension.

Vineyards

The vineyards consist of a mosaic of plots with varying exposure and soil composition, sourced from prime zones within Saint-Julien. In 2023, grapes from the third and final vintage of organic conversion were used, contributing to the purity and expression of the fruit. Yields were controlled to maintain concentration and balance.

Grape varieties and composition

The 2023 blend consists of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 percent Merlot, 10 percent Petit Verdot, and 5 percent Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of the wine, providing structure and freshness, while Merlot adds roundness and texture. Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc bring additional spice, floral notes, and depth.

Harvest, vinification and maturation

The grapes were harvested by hand and carefully selected. Vinification focuses on controlled extraction to preserve finesse and aromatic clarity. Maturation takes place in oak barrels, where the wood remains supportive and the focus is on integration, structure, and balanced development in the bottle.

Color, smell and taste

The wine has a deep ruby red color. The nose is expressive and refined, with aromas of dark berries, morello cherries, and plums, complemented by floral notes of crushed violets and subtle spice. Hints of licorice and fine spices add complexity. On the palate, the wine is medium to almost full-bodied, with a lively attack and fresh, fine-grained tannins. The fruit is juicy and precise, with a beautiful balance between ripeness and tension. The finish is long, energetic, and expressive, with a lingering impression of blue and dark fruit.

Development and drinking window

Château Gloria 2023 was awarded 90-92 points en primeur, indicating a solid and successful vintage. Upon bottling, the wine received a score of 94 points, underscoring the quality and precision of the final wine.

Summary of professional reviews

William Kelley of The Wine Advocate rated the wine 90-92 points in primeur, praising its vibrancy, depth, and persistence, with aromas of dark fruit, violets, and licorice. James Suckling's Zekun Shuai awarded the wine 94 points after bottling, highlighting its floral character, juicy structure, and long, expressive finish. Both reviewers consider this vintage a fresh and well-structured Saint-Julien with clear aging potential.

The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.