Gloria is fast becoming one of the most exciting insider wines of the entire Bordeaux region, and that rare species of a non-classified St-Julien. The fruit here is brambly, textured and autumnal, and again the alcohol seems generous but balanced, with plenty of St-Julien finesse. It has a feeling of not needing to go too far to convince anyone. This is some austerity here but there`s a bounce to the tannins through the mid-palate, while the alcohol is clearly there but not dominant, helped I would expect by relatively generous yields of 46hl/ha. Very good quality. 5% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend. 50% new oak. 93 points

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc; 50% new oak. Deepest cherry red. Aromatic black fruit, finely scented without excess sweetness or ripeness. On the palate, flattened a bit by the oak and the tannins, which are compact and layered but dominant at the moment. Should come round once they slim down and unlock the fruit. 16.5 points

The 2018 Gloria is deep garnet-purple colored and gives up expressive notions of warm red and black currants, black cherries and boysenberries with hints of spice cake, cedar chest, pencil lead and menthol. Full-bodied with a firm texture of ripe, grainy tannins, it has a lively line cutting through the dense, savory layers, finishing on a lingering spicy note. The blend is currently 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated aging is for 14 months in oak barriques, 40% new. 92-94 points

Gloria is once again fabulous. Brisk and vibrant, the 2018 has so much to offer. The 2018 is a bit more linear than other recent vintages (such as the 2016) but it nevertheless has a lot to offer. Bright red cherry, cedar, tobacco, spice and floral notes pulse with tremendous energy. The tannins need a few years in bottle to unwind, but there is so much to look forward to. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted four times. 91-94 points

This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, picked at a yield of 46 hl/ha. The alcohol is 14.1%. There is a very pure definition on the nose, elegant, with lightly crushed dark summer fruits, laced with notes of praline, black bean and black pepper. The palate is elegantly poised, showing the substance of the vintage, with crushed blackberry, blackcurrant and currant fruits, with a svelte body of tannins coursing beneath, as well as fine and fresh acidity. But it is that dark seam of black olive and liquorice fruits that conveys the richness of the vintage. Good, but it does not quite emulate the greatest successes of this estate, such as the 2010. The élevage here will be in 50% new oak and 39% second-fill oak, the remainder older, for 18 months. 92-94 points