Lavender, butterscotch, truffle, tobacco, earth, liquorice and blackberry scents open to a deep, dense, inky nose. A balanced palate overall (juicy round fruit, excellent structure, ripe tannic edge), the wood brings menthol notes, and spices a little too present for now to some. Bold flavours; long finish. ABV 13.5%. A cru-level Margaux. We tasted 2012, 2004, 2002, and a number of its second wines- 2015 is the best.
Notable scores are:
95-point Vinous. A total pleasure bomb, the 2015 Marojallia is flat-out stunning. This spectacularly rich, flamboyant Margaux is endowed with serious depth to match its deep, unctuous personality. Layers of dark red cherry, plum, smoke, violets and menthol build as the wine opens up with air. Don't expect subtlety or restraint; Marojallia is an extravagantly lush, vivid, modern Margaux. But you will want a second glass after your first and another after that. Marojallia is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot that saw 4-5 weeks on the skins and 100% new oak. Christophe Coupez and Michel Rolland consult. Wow! Tasted three times. Apr 2016,
94JS. Best from here with blueberry, boysenberry and walnut aromas and flavours. Full body. Very velvety textured. Long, long finish. Mar 2016,
93NM. The 2015 Marojallia, from vines between Le Tertre and Monbrison, is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. It unfolds in the glass with sumptuous black cherry and bilberry scents, the oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a little chalky in texture, and quite muscular towards the finish, but it lingers nicely in the mouth. This has great potential and is one of the best Marojallias I have tasted. Apr 2016, www.eRobertParker.com, Drink: 2020-2038
93WS. Energetic loganberry and blackberry fruit pump along, supported by a fresh-edged bay leaf and iron finish. This has concentration, but it's silky and refined. Mar 2016, James Molesworth.
Every true wine connoisseur is attracted to Chateau Gloria for that little 'unclassified' and 'mysterious' temperament. And Chateau Gloria's excellent quality, which may have exceeded the more prestigious class growths in St. Julien, attracted some of them even more learned. But, of course, this 33-year-old wine opens fairly quickly to full-blown—deep ruby colour with little sediment. After 15 minutes, there were notes of unique aged Bordeaux claret- cedar and classic red fruits- also subdued blackberry fruit but with dominant tertiary notes of cedar, anise, old leather, and tobacco. Nice minerality and -a good tannic structure. This wine is ageing gracefully—smooth finish. The palate is well balanced, and the wine will load with Asian spices and black pepper that gain consistent support. Drink up.
Owner Henri Martin, a cooper by upbringing, took over the property in 1942 and began purchasing vineyards from classed growth properties such as Gruaud-Larose, Talbot, Lagrange and Léoville-Barton. By the mid-1960s, he had 50 hectares spread across the appellation. In 1982 he purchased Château St-Pierre and thus realized his lifetime ambition of owning a Grand Cru Classé property. Henri Martin died in 1991, and Gloria 1989 is a 100% Petit Verdot as I researched. It aged in a combination of large oak foudres and small oak barrels (50% new). The vines are ancient.
The score is RP86.
Updated: Mar 23, 2023
Every true wine connoisseur is attracted to Chateau Gloria for that little 'unclassified' and 'mysterious' temperament. And Chateau Gloria's excellent quality, which may have exceeded the more prestigious class growths in St. Julien, attracted some of them even more learned. But, of course, the character of the understated 2011 bottle as an age-worthy claret always shows those classy cassis notes with a secondary bouquet of pencil shavings, herbs and a cigar box on the nose. The structure is the defining character, as well as the peculiar cola tones. It may lack the floral dimension one may expect from outstanding wines; on entry, it tastes a bit saline, backward with a tannic structure, but it will serve correctly as a food wine. The palate is well balanced, and the wine will load with Asian spices and black pepper that gain consistent support.
Owner Henri Martin, a cooper by upbringing, took over the property in 1942 and began purchasing vineyards from classed growth properties such as Gruaud-Larose, Talbot, Lagrange and Léoville-Barton. By the mid-1960s, he had 50 hectares spread across the appellation. In 1982 he purchased Château St-Pierre and thus realized his lifetime ambition of owning a Grand Cru Classé property. Henri Martin died in 1991, and Gloria, operated by his son-in-law Jean-Louis Triaud is a blend of 69% Cabernet, 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It aged in a combination of large oak foudres and small oak barrels (50% new). The vines are ancient.
The score is RP91. Other scores are also very high, such as:
95 points Wine Enthusiast
A powerful wine—its concentrated tannins contrast its underlying juicy fruit. This is a flavorful medley of prunes, dark plums and blackberries; the finish is marked with juiciness. (4/2012). Edited.
92 points Wine Spectator
Mouthfilling and gutsy, a fun, rustic style with chewy plum, fig and blackberry backed by a very briary finish. (4/2012).
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This estate continues to go from strength to strength. Another sleeper of the vintage, 2011, is excellent, possibly outstanding. Its dense ruby/purple colour is followed by abundant aromas of cassis, forest floor, tobacco leaf and a vague hint of oak. Ripe for the vintage with excellent texture, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and a delicious, savoury, broad appeal, this wine should drink well for at least a decade. (4/2012). Edited.
