| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Margaux |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This third growth Margaux property has 40 hectares of vines planted with 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. A second wine Les Charmes de Kirwan is also produced.
The 2016 Kirwan, the second vintage made in the new cuverie, has a tightly knit bouquet of blackberry, pencil lead, crushed stone and pressed iris. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity, and a little more succulent than it showed in barrel, leading to a persistent finish. This is a fine Kirwan, though with their new winery, I’m convinced that more can be achieved from their terroir. Drink 2023-2045
This is an effortlessly elegant and classy Margaux. Real structure where the tannins hold without being intrusive, close to the 2015 in quality. They have new cellars here, so lots to look forward to over the next decade as they really begin to benefit from the extra precision. Extremely classic Margaux, a great signature of the appellation.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2050
There’s fragrant charm here with purple flowers and a swathe of ripe, juicy dark berries. This has a firmish overall feel with sturdy tannins, driving ripe and fresh, red and dark berries long. The oak is very nicely played.
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Kirwan is scented of red plums, cassis, redcurrants, earth and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied, lean, chewy and lively with an earthy finish. Drink Date
2019 - 2031.
Tasted blind. Big and bold. A bit savoury and rustic. Dry, rather rasping tannins on the end. Rather simple greenish finish.
Drink 2025 – 2035
This third growth Margaux property has 40 hectares of vines planted with 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. A second wine Les Charmes de Kirwan is also produced. Creamy and ripe on the nose offering an enticing bouquet. The palate has a pure cassis, Cabernet-focused fruit profile which adds bite of firm tannins that emphasise the classic cedar and camphor notes. Pure, svelte and spicy on the finish.
The nose has freshness and fragrance the start of the palate quite light but it fills out in the middle with ripe cassis and black cherry. Tight at the back the tannins are firm but behind the firmness and freshness there is sweet ripe black fruit. 2025-38
The 2016 Kirwan is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot picked up 49 hectoliters per hectare between 27 September until 18 October. The nose needed some encouragement from the glass, perhaps not quite as cohesive as I was expecting, angular black fruit with a dash of white pepper. It just felt rather broody and unsettled at this early stage. On the palate, I discerned some hardness on the tannin, rendering this a more masculine Kirwan that will hopefully flesh out once in bottle. With a new winery, I am anticipating great things from Kirwan. This might be a wine that will blossom later than others, so I will keep a watchful eye. Drink 2023-2040.
A fresh and clean wine with currant and wet-earth character. Medium body and a medium finish.
Dark purplish crimson. Some freshness on the nose with a hint of ink and pencils. A certain 'mineral' scent. A very slight green note but not bad at all, and certainly not forced. Real Margaux charm. Lift and pleasure in a dry idiom.
Drink 2026-2042
