Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Gloria 2010 leaps out of the glass: blackberry, boysenberry, cedar and graphite aromas that are pure and beautifully defined. This palate does not disappoint: mineral rich black fruit, a saline tang, hints of sous-bois and a beautifully controlled but intense graphite finish that reminds me of Ducru-Beaucaillou. This is an outstanding Saint Julien from an estate that has produced a clutch of high performing wines in recent years. Perhaps the greatest Gloria ever made? Tasted November 2012.

(94-96 pts)
Tasted at a negociant, the Gloria 2010 has a well-defined bouquet, very precise with ripe blackberry, raspberry, cedar and graphite. Good intensity, very crisp and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins, very good acidity, reserved and focused with a very powerful finish of blackberry, graphite and tobacco. Long in the mouth, this is a great Gloria for long-term ageing. Tasted April 2011.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Gloria features notions of cedar, sandalwood and dusty earth with a core of black cherry compote and black berry pie plus wafts of tapenade, truffles and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and lively acid with emboldened flavors and an earth-laced finish. LPB

The 2010 Gloria is an ass-kicking, fabulous value once again from this estate, which would probably be classified if the 1855 hierarchy of the wines of the Medoc were ever done again. Abundant notes of cedar wood, fruitcake, flowers, creme de cassis and kirsch are all present in this full-bodied, opulent, dense, dark ruby/purple wine. It is slightly more restrained than the flamboyant 2009, but equal in quality. This is a juicy, well-proportioned, sensationally concentrated, super-ripe Gloria to drink over the next decades. Of course, it is a sleeper of the vintage, given the reasonable price it normally sells for.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013

(91-93 pts)
2010: A sensational effort, the 2010 Gloria may turn out to be the finest wine they have made since 1982, although the 2009 is a serious contender for that honor as well. A bigger than life as well as more backward than normal offering, the 2010 exhibits an inky/purple color along with an opulent display of black currants, jammy cherries, licorice, cedar and roasted herbs. Some serious tannin gives the wine grip, but this is a full-bodied, big, thick, well-proportioned, super-endowed Gloria that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for two decades.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Gloria features notions of cedar, sandalwood and dusty earth with a core of black cherry compote and black berry pie plus wafts of tapenade, truffles and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and lively acid with emboldened flavors and an earth-laced finish.

Mouthfilling, with a core of plum and black currant fruit that expands in the mouth, while tobacco, graphite and roasted fig notes filling in. Long, with a dark tarry edge on the finish. —J.M.

A little coarse, with chewy tannins, but velvety in texture. Full body, with plenty of fruit and bright acidity. Intense and interesting.

Good bright, full ruby-red. Captivating nose combines cassis, kirsch, coffee, game, spices and sexy smoky oak. Densely packed and bright, with a fine-grained texture to the flavors of cassis, black cherry, licorice and chocolate. Concentrated wine with lovely sweetness buffered by framing acidity. Finishes with a hint of fresh herbs and dusty, building tannins. A superb and generous vintage for this property: ripe, rich and sweet.

(66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot and 6% petit verdot): Deep opaque ruby. Intensely fruity, fragrant aromas of blackcurrant and blueberry pie complicated by hints of cinnamon and bay leaf. Then minerally and clean on the palate, with pure flavors similar to the aromas. The aromatically persistent finish is slightly chewy due to youthfully backward but polished tannins. A very stylish, successful Gloria that will age well, though it's already pretty irresistible now.

Cru Bourgeois St Julien (46h/ha, 2/3 GV, 13.6%) [63CS/26M/5CF/6PV] Dense, almost peppery and touch herbal on the nose; well balanced, fresh, firmly but finely tannic middleweight; a fine core of ripe blackcurrant-mineral flavour, crisp and vital, long across the palate, lovely length. More ‘serious’ than the 09? Certainly more density. Very fine Gloria. 2017-30+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2011]

Tasted blind. Deep brick-rimmed garnet. Sweet, ripe, dark and just a touch pruney on the nose. Charry too. Then pretty chunky tannins, with what seems like a disconnect between the fruit and the structure. Not sure it will come round but other tasters rated this more highly than I did. (JH)