1989 Gloria, St-Julien

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.