The 2016 Chateau Gloria St. Julien is a Bordeaux Blend from Bordeaux, France, specifically the St Julien sub-region. The wine is produced by Chateau Gloria and comes with a cork closure. It has an alcohol content of 13.5%.
This vintage has garnered considerable praise from wine critics, showcasing a strong performance across the board. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 93, highlights its "deep bouquet of sweet crème de cassis and blackberries mingled with sweet spices and licorice." William Kelley describes it as "medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with fine concentration, ripe tannins and bright acids," emphasizing its "purity of fruit and structural seamlessness."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gives it an impressive 94, noting its "elegant, fresh, floral, refined" character and calling it "easily the best wine produced in the history of the estate." Similarly, James Suckling awards it a 94, praising its "beautiful aromas of blackcurrants and blueberries" and "very fine tannins that are strong and bright."
Jeb Dunnuck also rates the wine at 94, remarking on its "thrilling purity in its ripe black and blue fruits, tobacco, and graphite-laced aromas and flavors." He describes it as "deep, layered, with ripe tannins and the purity and freshness that makes the vintage so special."
Wine Enthusiast offers a slightly lower yet still commendable score of 92, commenting on its firm tannins and structural grip, suggesting it "will need to evolve and mellow." Decanter, with a score of 93, notes its "rich bright fruit, charm, and juicy generosity" and highlights its new winery setup, calling it "one of the best wines ever from Gloria."
Wine Spectator also chimes in with a 94, acknowledging its "slightly chunky feel" but praising its "fun energy" and "lovely tug of sweet tobacco detail on the finish." Lastly, Jane Anson gives the highest score at 95, describing it as "bursting with potential" with "chewy tannins" and a "superbly enjoyable" profile despite needing more time to fully open up.
In summary, the 2016 Chateau Gloria St. Julien is a highly acclaimed wine that impresses with its complexity, depth, and potential for aging. It is a standout vintage from Chateau Gloria, recommended for those who appreciate vibrant, structured, and elegantly refined Bordeaux blends.