Gloria St-Julien 2017

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Gloria is just as delicious from bottle as it was from barrel. A rush of bright red cherry and plum fruit, blood orange, iron, dried flowers and mint gives the 2017 its sense of energy. Medium in body and full of character, Gloria is one of the highlights of the vintage. Don't miss it. Tasted two times. Drink: 2022-2042. (Mar 2020)"

93 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc) In a vintage where there are plenty of underperforming wines, this is full of pleasure. Real precision, clear crafting of the blue and red berry fruit, set against smoked earth, undergrowth, and crayon, this is a vintage where Gloria can shine, where its softness and generosity offers a cushion to the austerity of the year. 40% new oak, harvest September 18 to 26. Gloria was not impacted by the frost in the early part of the season, thanks to St Julien's location next to the Garonne river, ensuring a normal yield. Remi di Constanzo technical director. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2025-2040. (11/25/22)"

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "An attractive, immediately fruity wine, this also has good tannins. Enticing blackberry flavors give richness as well as freshness. This wine will develop quickly, so drink from 2023. Alcohol 13.5%. (Mar 2020)"

92 ponts Jeb Dunnuck: "This estate continues to make a powerful, ripe style of wine, and their 2017 Chateau Gloria offers plenty of oak as well as terrific cassis fruits, hints of violets, and flowery incense, medium to full body, and a layered, pure, beautifully balanced style. While I wasn’t able to get a release price, I’m sure this is going to represent a smoking value! Based on 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new barrels, representing just 65% of the total production, it will evolve gracefully for two decades or more. Drink: 2020-2040. (2/26/20)"

92 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Tight but plentiful fruit extraction. The expression is a little less full than in 2016, but there is both finesse and grip to the fine, firmly held tannins as they travel through the palate, accompanying cassis, fern, rosemary, heather and cigar box notes. Enjoyable stuff. Drinking Window: 2025-2040. (4/8/18)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "Dark and winey in profile, with steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit that is youthfully coiled up, laced with bramble, apple wood and anise notes. Offers a compact finish but the energy is there. Let this unwind in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2034. (3/31/20)"

92 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "In this vintage this is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot, and the élevage was 14 months. It kicks off with a fresh and smoky character on the nose showing real promise. And happily the palate does not disappoint, with a sweet bed of toasted fruits, coffee bean and vanilla, but most of all it is the harmonious interplay between structure and grilled berry fruit that works to this wine’s advantage. It holds up well throughout, showing nicely balanced and integrated presence through the middle and finish. Well done. (Dec 2019)"

92 points La Revue du Vin de France: "2017 reveals juicy fruit, with crunchy red fruit notes and a long finish. A Gloria of elegance and refinement. (2021)"