I hunt down value wines with soul, the kind that tell stories, spark debates, and challenge your assumptions about what "affordable" can taste like. The deal: Hong Kong prices with free delivery in urban areas. Six-bottle minimum. Ready to explore? WhatsApp 852 66236747 or email cf.lau@dunndunnn.hk. -Kevin K Tang.
Château Gloria enchants wine enthusiasts with its enigmatic allure, a wine that shuns classification yet consistently dazzles beyond its blue-blooded rivals. The 2013 shows classic cassis on the nose with pencil shavings, fresh herbs, and cigar box. Give it some air, and you’ll find dark chocolate and earthy truffle emerging. The palate has real presence—plush yet grippy, with refined tannins and a slight saline edge that makes it brilliant with food. As it opens, Asian spices and black pepper build toward a long, mineral finish.
Despite the challenges of 2013, Gloria held its own against its classified neighbours. While Léoville Poyferré and Léoville Las Cases scored higher, and Saint-Pierre and Talbot trailed behind, Gloria delivered exceptional quality at a fraction of the price—a true sleeper in the vintage.
Henri Martin, a cooper by training, took over Château Gloria in 1942, acquiring vineyards from classified-growth properties, including Gruaud-Larose, Talbot, Lagrange, and Léoville-Barton. By the mid-1960s, he had expanded to 50 hectares. In 1982, he purchased Château St-Pierre, fulfilling his dream of owning a Grand Cru Classé. After his passing in 1991, his son-in-law, Jean-Louis Triaud, continued the legacy. Today's blend—65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot—evolved from a more Merlot-forward composition in the 1970s. The wine is aged in a mix of large foudres and small barrels, 50% of which are new.
I hunt down value wines with soul—Ithe kind that tell stories, spark debates, and obliterate your assumptions about what "affordable" can taste like. The deal: Hong Kong prices with free delivery in urban areas. Six-bottle minimum. Ready to explore? WhatsApp 852 66236747 or email cf.lau@dunndunnn.hk. -Kevin K Tang.
The 2011 Belgrave shows medium ruby with garnet hues and earthy cedar, tobacco, and red-berry aromatics. As the wine unfolds in the glass, notes of cedar and tobacco evolve, inviting a deeper sensory experience. The firm tannins provide a defined structure, while the bright acidity leads to a long, austere finish, making it well-suited for extended cellaring.
The 2014 Belgrave displays deep ruby with purple highlights, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice, softer tannins, fuller body, and a smooth vanilla finish. Fruit-forward and immediately appealing with structure for medium-term ageing.
The stylistic differences stem from the weather and the winemaking response. The 2011 vintage in Haut-Médoc had a cool, wet season and a late harvest, preserving freshness but limiting ripeness. These conditions led to firm tannins, bright acidity, and a restrained structure. The cool nights locked in red-fruit aromatics, enhancing the wine's complex profile and contributing to its potential for cellaring.
In contrast, the 2014 vintage benefited from near-ideal growing conditions: a warm, dry summer with consistent temperatures enabled extended hang time and optimal phenolic ripeness. The Médoc’s gravel soils absorbed and radiated heat, ensuring even maturation across varietals. Harvest occurred under optimal conditions in late September, yielding physiologically ripe fruit with balanced sugars (13-13.5% alcohol), supple tannins, and concentrated flavour compounds. This results in plush fruit and velvety tannins on the palate, making the wines immediately appealing and providing excellent ageing potential.
Belgrave adapts winemaking to each vintage while letting terroir speak.
Both wines undergo temperature-controlled fermentation, then 12-14 months in French oak. The 2011 used 40% new oak for structural support; the 2014 used 35% to keep fruit forward. The blend—65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot—provides structure and complexity.
Within the Cru Bourgeois classification, Belgrave holds a distinguished position, balancing power and elegance. Comparative analysis highlights its unique standing: Château Chasse-Spleen (Moulis) offers greater concentration and tannic intensity, appealing to those who prefer powerful wines. Château Potensac (Médoc) shares the fruit-forward appeal of the 2014 Belgrave but with more pronounced structure for extended ageing. Château Le Crock (Saint-Estèphe) exemplifies the northern Médoc’s austerity, with firm tannins and pronounced minerality. Château d'Arsac (Margaux) emphasises aromatic refinement, silky texture and hints of masculinity. Château Paloumey (Haut-Médoc) produces polished, modern-styled wines with immediate accessibility. Château Malescasse (Haut-Médoc) combines traditional methods with precision viticulture for harmonious results. Stand and be counted among these great CBs, Belgrave distinguishes itself through exceptional terroir expression, consistent quality across vintages, and remarkable value, offering classified-growth complexity at Cru Bourgeois pricing.
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Ageing Potential. These vintages exhibit distinct maturation trajectories relevant to collectors. The 2011 drinks now and peak around 2027, with extended cellaring potential. The 2014 also drinks well now, but develops tertiary complexity after 2027. Both reward patience while terroir and winemaking philosophy ensure continuity. The 2011 represents classical Bordeaux—structured, restrained, and suitable for cellaring. The 2014 demonstrates modern accessibility without compromising ageing potential, offering generosity, polish, and immediate appeal. is part of the Cru Bourgeois classification, a group of respected estates in the Médoc region that produce quality wines often at a more accessible price point than classified growths. Haut-Médoc, where Belgrave is located, benefits from gravelly soils and a maritime climate, which are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends.
Château La Fleur Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 hails from Bordeaux's Right Bank and is a lovely wine from an excellent vintage. Nestled among legends like Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, this 18th-century estate crafts its wines from the region's prized clay-limestone soils. Having such prestigious neighbours certainly adds to its appeal.
When you pour it, you’ll see a deep ruby colour that hints at what’s coming. The nose gives you dark cherry, plum, blackberry, vanilla, and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, it’s plush and chewy with dense fruit and velvety tannins. The bouquet is lively and slightly jammy, finishing with robust structure. I found it delightful to drink now, though it’ll evolve nicely over the next several years.
The blend is Merlot-dominant with Cabernet Franc and a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon from the northern slopes of Saint-Émilion. That warm 2015 vintage really shows—deeper, more concentrated flavours than 2014. You can drink this wine outdoors, but I’d suggest pairing it with Cantonese-stewed meats or roast pork. The sweet soy and five-spice really complement the wine’s vanilla and clove notes beautifully. Serve it slightly cool at 16-18°C and let it open in the glass—no need to decant.
Here's the thing: this wine's name might cause some confusion with La Fleur-Pétrus, but they're not the same wine. This one is approachable now, but also worth tucking away for a few years. It has a solid structure, though I wouldn't plan to cellar it for decades. Enjoy it within three to six years for the best experience. What I appreciate most is its classic character and seamless drinkability—it's a compelling alternative to its more famous (and pricier) neighbours. If you're looking for a Right Bank Bordeaux that delivers quality without the premium price tag, I think you'll really enjoy this one.
