Château du Glana - Saint-Julien 2017

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

An elegant, understated nose with subtle fruit and oak notes; the palate follows suit, with a smooth, finely tannic, full-bodied, fruity, and lively character. Well-balanced.

About the estate:

Located across from Château Ducru-Beaucaillou in Saint-Julien, this estate is currently managed by Ludovic and Julien Meffre. The family also owns Château Lalande and Château Bellegrave in Pauillac. The wines produced here are elegant and beautifully balanced. They perfectly embody the classic image of a Saint-Julien.

Decanter

About the wine:

Firm, rich, and bright, this is a pleasant wine with a distinct St-Julien character. The tannins linger on the palate, suggesting that this wine will age well. Although subtle, it is also very promising, with notes of slate, charcoal, and menthol, accompanied by precise, finely integrated tannins. The vines were unaffected by frost, with a yield of 50 hl/ha. Christophe Ollivier serves as a consultant here, making the Meffre estate one of the few St-Julien producers to break away from Boissenot’s influence.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

On the nose, stewed red fruits blend with rich, chocolatey oak. On the palate, this is a serious, full-bodied, generous wine whose intensity builds toward the finish, revealing a solid structure underpinned by firm, promising tannins. A wine with real character. 2024–2030

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Favorite Bordeaux reds, this wine offers lovely length and crisp fruit: The vintage is consistent, and the 2017 is well-structured, with nice body and oak that integrates seamlessly. It reveals lovely length and crisp fruit. It will age well for a decade.

About the estate:

Created following the division of Château Saint-Pierre, of which it had historically been a part, Château du Glana covered just 4 hectares by the late 1950s. It owes its growth to Gabriel Meffre, a nurseryman from the Vaucluse region who acquired it in 1961 and gradually expanded its acreage to over 40 hectares. Today, his grandsons, Ludovic and Julien, run the estate, which over the past decade has undergone a complete modernization of its facilities and a revitalization of the vineyard. The wines are now top-notch: charming, supple Saint-Juliens with a beautiful elegance.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2017 Glana offers a well-defined and concentrated bouquet, with aromas of blackberry, cedar, and a hint of tobacco. It displays elegance and refinement. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with supple tannins, a finely textured acidity, and a hint of black pepper on the finish. Although it is not Saint-Julien’s most prominent estate, this Glana is impressive and could be considered the “insiders’ choice.” 2022–2038

James Suckling

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A juicy, fruity, rich, and vibrant wine with a well-balanced palate, supple tannins, and a long finish. 2020–2035

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Deep purple. A bouquet of good intensity with notes of licorice and black berries. I detect hints of prunes and cinnamon. A rich, slightly spicy attack. On the palate, the wine is juicy, fresh, and well-balanced. Good aromatic intensity. The tannins emerge slowly on the finish and are grainy in texture. The structure provides a solid foundation. Notes of cherries on the finish. 2021–2032