The Château Gloria 2005 has what you might describe as an “airy” bouquet armed with bright brambly red berry fruit, boysenberry and touches of cedar coming through, atypically showy in style but there is nothing wrong with that, especially in this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin: plenty of tobacco and dried herbs infusing the black fruit with a convincing austere finish that lingers long in the mouth. Give this Gloria several years to soften. Excellent.

Dark, narrow rimmed red; light, gravelly nose; medium full, moderately concentrated, slightly dry textured wine; straightforward, crisp, ripe, cabernet based flavour of modest complexity, but a bit dry for real pleasure and easy drinking. Certainly needs food, which would bring out the fruit, Now – 2022+