Chateau Gloria 2013 Revisited

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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.