Kirwan 2006

This wine seemed more impressive from cask than it is from bottle, as the oak seems to overwhelm much of its personality, and the wine's austere, astringent tannins are cause for concern. It is concentrated and dark ruby purple, but the oak and tannin excesses seem to suggest an uncertain future. In any event, patience is most definitely required. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.

Tasted at the UGC. A stern nose, quite conservative with scents of tobacco/cigar box lacing the blackberry and briary notes. Good definition and typicity. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and pretty with blackberry, cedar and a touch of cassis. Well integrated new oak, more vigour and joie-de-vivre than other Margaux wines. Very fine indeed. Tasted April 2007.

A little volatile but certainly fresh on the nose. Round and sweet and rather charming. Not heavy - positively dances and sings! Dry tannins on the finish but enough fruit density beforehand. Ambitious -pretty dry tannins - I feel this wine is on a knife edge. I think it has enough fruit for the tannins but it’s very close to being dominated by them. Is this the first post-Rolland vintage or, more probably. the last one in which he played a part?

Good ruby-red. Liqueur-like blackberry, bitter chocolate and mocha aromas are complemented by sexy oak. Supple, sweet and tactile, but with fruit currently overshadowed by notes of truffle and earth. A chewy wine with good stuffing, but the broad, toothdusting tannins call for several years of bottle aging.