2014 Château Gloria

The 2014 Gloria has a much more delineated and focused bouquet than the 2014 Saint-Pierre, black fruit laced with melted tar and mint. It's focused, although not as complex as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, slightly grainy tannins. Pencil lead infused black fruit lead to an almost Pauillac-like finish. It is just a little conservative, though it will appeal to lovers of classic claret. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Tasted blind. Mature garnet colour. Invitingly fragrant and leafy with plenty of pure black fruit. Hint of tea leaf. On the palate, this is really finely textured, sober, elegant and fresh. Restrained and harmonious. (JH)

The 2014 vintage is delivering right now across the halo appellations of St Estèphe, Pauillac, and St Julien, and this displays precise architecture and well held together, chewy tannins. Black fruit, supple leather notes, chalk, cassis, slate, full of character, shoulders to the tannins, still young. One to look out for. 40% new oak, September 25 to October 10 for the harvest, maximising a glorious Indian summer. Remi di Constanzo technical director.