2021 Château Gloria

I continue to love what this estate does, and their 2021 Château Gloria is certainly worth checking out. Revealing a deep ruby/purple hue to go with ample ripe black cherry and currant fruit, it's medium-bodied, has a plump, round, layered mouthfeel, and solid ripeness in its tobacco, spicy oak, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, this pleasure-bent, balanced, rock-solid 2021 will keep for 10-15 years.

The 2021 Gloria, which contains a healthy slug of Petit Verdot (14%), has a clean and pure bouquet with black cherries, bilberry, cedar and crushed violet scents, almost Margaux-like in style. The oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a graphite-tinged entry. This is quite a "vertical" Gloria, conservative in some ways, yet it does not compensate in terms of precision on the finish, and it feels reassuringly long on the aftertaste. There’s good potential here.

The 2021 Gloria is terrific and everything it should be. Floral and spice notes open first, revealing a mid-weight, slightly nervous Gloria. Medium in body, with good depth, the 2021 offers fine balance. Tobacco, cedar, mint and red cherry linger.