Gloria 2016 & Pez 2016

Following our Saint-Pierre release earlier today, we are delighted to also announce the release of Chateau Gloria for £360 per case of 12 bottles. This is an exciting price for a wine that has been awarded 93-95 points from Neal Martin. This makes it the finest Gloria ever, surpassing the 90 point scoring 2005 which trades at £450 and the 93 point scoring 2009, which trades at £390. This leaves immense promise for a wine with a Price Over Points score of 25.7. In all likelihood this magnificent Gloria will be awarded 94 or 95 points, which offers incredible claret for £30 a bottle. James Suckling states that 2016 Gloria ‘Got it all here.’ The finest ever effort from this wonderful Estate.

While Henri Martin bought Saint-Pierre to pin his name on a Classified Growth Chateau, Gloria was his first love in Bordeaux. In 1942, during the Second World War, Martin took his first venture into wine, buying a 6 hectare parcel of vines from Chateau Beychevelle on the advice of his friend Jean-Charles Cazes, who himself had bought Lynch Bages and Ormes de Pez a few years earlier. Over time, Martin carefully collected and curated a total of 48 hectares from various Classified growth Chateaux under the name Chateau Gloria. Nine of these hectares are located in the commune of Pauillac, but which are permitted for use on Gloria by special dispensation. Last year, Gloria completed a long, meticulous renovation of the winemaking facilities, where Saint-Pierre is also made under an agreement with the appellation of St Julien. As a new Estate, it does not hold Grand Cru Classe status, but as such is something of an open secret in Bordeaux, offering quality easily on par with its neighbours. Henri Martin died in 1991 at the age of 88 and the Estate is now run by his son-in-law, Jean-Louis Triaud.

Chateau Gloria 2016, 12×75 – £360 EP

93-95 Points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
The 2016 Gloria is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc that was picked from 29 September until 17 October. It is matured in slightly less oak than the Saint-Pierre, at 40%. This is a little more backward and broody compared to the Saint-Pierre and indeed its Saint Julien peers, demanding more coaxing from the glass. It almost reluctantly unfolds and unveils subtle pencil box and dry tobacco aromas. The palate is more outgoing than the aromatics with a vibrant, almost citrus-fresh opening, tensile tannins and a satisfying sense of energy. This feels nimble and agile in the mouth with a touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. You come away with the feeling that this Gloria has something up its sleeve for those with patience to cellar it for eight to ten years. 

93-94 Points, James Suckling
Dense and layered red with berry and tobacco character, a full body and a savory finish. Got it all here. 

Château de Pez has been released today for £280 per case of 12 bottles. In 2016, like many estates in St.Estephe, it has produced its finest ever vintage, James Suckling says ‘This is the best wine ever from here.’  It has been awarded 92-94 points by Neal Martin, its highest ever by the Wine Advocate. Martin ponders ‘Maybe this is the “dark horse” of the appellation this year.’ He also goes on to say ‘perhaps the finest tannic structure that I have encountered during many years of tasting this Saint Estèphe, with a long persistent finish’. This description promises at least 94 points from bottle which at £23 and with a Price Over Points Rate of 21.5 looks like one of the best value clarets in 2016. The price today is also extremely appealing in virtue of the obvious vintage premium it displays. The 89 point scoring 2014 already costs £410.

Chateau de Pez is the oldest wine Estate in St.Estephe created in 1452 by Jean de Bricos. Its vineyard is located across from Calon-Segur, in the northern most parts of St.Estephe. Calon Segur is one of the highest scoring wines of the vintage and it is easy to see how the similar terroir has resulted in an exceptional Pez. Today the Estate is owned by the Champagne house Louis Roederer, who bought it in 1995, also the owners of Pichon Lalande. They have been investing heavily in Chateau de Pez, viewing it as a jewel in the village of St.Estephe. In 2016 the blend is 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Production remains around 11,000 cases per year. It is classified as one of the nine Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels and is known for providing consistently high quality but remaining inexpensive. In 2016 this is truer than ever and this is a must own wine in the vintage, it will reward for decades in the cellar and provide excellent early drinking too.

Chateau de Pez 2016, 12×75 – £280 EP

92-94 Points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
The 2016 de Pez appears to be benefitting from a long-term replanting program at the estate. This is a blend of 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. The IPT is quite high at 80, and there is 13.9% alcohol. It has a pure and comely bouquet with black cherries and blackcurrant pastilles, just a touch of crushed violets that emerge with time. The palate is really quite lovely: very well balanced with a fine line of acidity, quite saline in the mouth, perhaps the finest tannic structure that I have encountered during many years of tasting this Saint Estèphe, with a long persistent finish. Maybe this is the “dark horse” of the appellation this year.

93-94 Points, James Suckling
This is the best wine ever from here with dark berries, nutmeg and other spices. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a polished texture. Lasts very long.

To buy this wine, click here