Gloria 2009 (750ML)

95 JA / 94 JS / 93 WA / 93 RP / 93 VM / 18 JR

Love this 2009, it is so much Gloria at its best - plump black fruits, black cherry, damson, generous without overplaying its hand, offering signature St Julien mixed with a subtle glamour. The fruits are given depth and compleixty by black pepper spice, silky tannins, crushed rocks, aniseed. Beautiful and full of character. 40% new oak. Harvest September 24 to October 8. Remi di Constanzo technical director. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Sweet berry and cherry aromas with violets, following through to a medium to full body with creamy, linear tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tight and curated, in a structured way. Try after 2027. - James Suckling

Medium garnet colored, the 2009 Gloria rolls out of the glass with alluring scents of potpourri, Black Forest cake, Morello cherries and raspberry compote with touches of rose hip tea, cinnamon stick and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, it packs the palate with generous red berry preserves and exotic spices layers, framed by velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

Gloria has long been one of the most popular wines in America, but I do not believe they have ever made better wines than they have over the last decade, and the 2009 is one of their finest. While this estate is not a classified growth, it certainly performs like one in 2009. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by an expressive, flamboyant bouquet of black fruits, Christmas spices, licorice and roasted Provencal herbs. Fuller-bodied, more concentrated and extracted than most vintages with soft tannins, its low acidity and a sumptuous, plump style remind me of a modern day version of the 1982 (which is fully mature but still in great shape). The 2009 Gloria is a very smart purchase for those looking to maximize their buying power. In fact, this may be the value of the vintage. - Robert Parker

Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Savoury nose. Extremely opulent. A real charmer. The fruit almost swamps the considerable tannin. Very dramatic. Enough but not excessive freshness.-Jancis Robinson