2016 Bordeaux: Château Gloria & Château Saint Pierre, top form from St Julien

by Edward Richardson

CHÂTEAU GLORIA L&S, which has been on a quality charge this year, is out today at £360 per 12 bottles IB. We were really impressed with the quality of the 2016. It has good volume and density but will certainly need time in the cellar to round out. Neal Martin scored this wine a very impressive 93-95 points and says ‘You come away with the feeling that this Gloria has something up its sleeve…’. Galloni suggests it’s ‘super-classic‘ and ‘exudes class.’ We agree and, while it sits at the top end of our price estimate, for this quality, it is definitely worthy of strong consideration.

Also from the Henri Martin portfolio is CHÂTEAU SAINT PIERRE released at £274 per 6 bottles IB. Galloni called this wine ‘a winner’ in 2016 and he’s absolutely right. It has a glorious layered richness, floral precision and cool fresh weight on the palate. There really is huge potential here. Neal Martin was equally impressed. His note suggests ‘lovely definition and focus’ as well as ‘fine mineralité and tension.‘ He calls it a ‘fantastic Saint Julien that may well rest at the top of my banded score’ (94-96/100).

As ever, you can keep up to date with everything out from #Bdx16 on our Recent Releases page.