The 2018 Chateau Gloria St. Julien is a Bordeaux blend from the renowned St. Julien sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Chateau Gloria, is noted for its well-balanced structure and rich flavor profile. With an alcohol content of 14.5% and sealed with a traditional cork closure, this wine has garnered impressive reviews from several esteemed wine critics.
James Suckling awarded it 94 points, describing it as "a full-bodied red with a dense, juicy palate of blueberries and blackcurrants" and noting its "tight yet long and linear finish." He recommends drinking it after 2024, highlighting its structured and polished nature (jamessuckling.com).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2018 Gloria a score of 91. William Kelley emphasized its "lush, fruit-driven" character, with "aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and licorice." Kelley described it as "medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy," and acknowledged its ripe acids and sweet tannins, making it approachable even in its youth (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).
Jeff Leve, also giving it 94 points, praised its "flowers and currants aromas backed up by wet earth, cedar, tobacco and espresso." He found the palate "elegant, soft and juicy with loads of sweet berries, lift and focus," advising a cellar time of 4-6 years for optimal enjoyment (TheWineCellarInsider.com).
Decanter, with a score of 93, noted that Gloria is "fast becoming one of the most exciting insider wines of the entire Bordeaux region." They appreciated its "brambly, textured and autumnal" fruit and highlighted its balance and finesse (Decanter).
Jeb Dunnuck also rated this wine 94 points, describing it as "youthful, unevolved" with "lots of up-front blue and black fruits as well as cedary herbs, violets, and scorched earth." He praised its "beautifully balanced, elegant mouthfeel," suggesting it will benefit from a few years in the cellar (jebdunnuck.com).
Wine Spectator, scoring it 93, complimented its "fresh and energetic" character with "violet, licorice and cassis aromas and flavors." The finish is supported by "bramble and graphite," adding complexity (Wine Spectator).
Wine Enthusiast also awarded 94 points, noting its "structured intensity and ripe fruitiness" combined with a "light touch with the black fruits and open texture," promising an attractive evolution (Wine Enthusiast).
Finally, Jane Anson gave it 94 points, highlighting its "mint leaf, marzipan, fennel, smoked earth, fig, freshly grated black truffle, and a ton of cassis fruit," and acknowledged its bright future (janeanson.com).
Overall, the 2018 Chateau Gloria St. Julien is a well-regarded wine with a promising future, suitable for aging and appreciated for its rich, complex profile.