Kirwan 2015

A sleek wine with plenty of tannins, but they are already so well integrated that this has a very elegant personality. The long finish is rather mineral and very pure. Drink or hold.

The 2015 Kirwan is positively stellar. Deep, fleshy and incredibly inviting, the 2015 will drink well right out of the gate. The balance of aromatics, fruit and structure is compelling. Plum, blackberry, chocolate, licorice and spice fill out the wine's creamy, supple frame. Readers should expect bold, fleshy style. 2022 - 2035

The 2015 Château Kirwan showed beautifully and is just another data point pointing to Margaux being the star of the Médoc. It boasts a deep ruby/plum color as well as thrilling notes of black raspberries, toasted bread, Asian spices and lead pencil. With subtle background oak, a ripe, opulent texture, sweet tannin, and notable purity and elegance, give bottle 3-4 years in the cellar and enjoy through 2035+. 2022 - 2037

The 2015 Kirwan appears to have meliorated in recent months. It offers attractive raspberry preserve, mulberry and allspice aromas, gently unveiling tea leaf scents with aeration. The medium-bodied palate displays fine-grained tannin and a taut line of acidity; it is fresh and precise though never powerful, and it gently fans out toward the finish, leaving a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. Classy. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

The 2015 Kirwan has a straitlaced bouquet that does not quite deliver the flair and panache of its peers, although it is bestowed with attractive blackberry and raspberry coulis scents laced with rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, fresh in the mouth but just missing that extra dimension on the conservative finish. Not bad, but I think Kirwan will produce better in the coming years with their brand new winery. It must now start to deliver the goods where it matters—in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2035.

The 2015 Kirwan has a very opulent, heady bouquet that perhaps has its foot pressed down a little too hard on the accelerator? It just feels a little ostentatious compared directly with its peers. The palate goes some way to restore order with small dark cherries, taut and quite firm tannin with a very citrus-fresh finish. It is a Margaux that seems to be on full glare at the moment - I hope that during élevage the contrast is toned down, so that there is more balance and a sense of terroir can come through, because this estate can produce great wines. Drink 2019-2033.

The 2015 Kirwan has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed red currants, black cherries and black plums with wafts of tilled soil, fallen leaves and bark. The medium-bodied mouth offers nice intensity with soft, fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness on the finish. 2019 - 2033

So much character here of wet earth, mushroom and black currants. Full and powerful. Chewy tannins yet polished and very fine. Focused intense.

Tasted blind. Mid to dark crimson. A bit dull-looking. Neat and composed. Some sweet curranty quality. Lots of glamorous fruit to counterbalance the tannins. A bit tough on the end.
Drink 2024-2042

Mid crimson. Black peppery scent. A little bit jagged on the palate – not quite enough Margaux charm in evidence – yet. At the moment it’s a bit transitional.
Drink 2025-2040

Very dark crimson. Haunting aroma - very smooth yet concentrated. Very impressive! Much more freshness than of old. The Boissenot touch?
Drink 2024-2040

It is bright on the nose bunches of spring violets the palate though rich and ripe with mid generosity. The juicy richness on the mid palate is balanced by fresher fruit but sweet ripe cassis is there at the back giving richness on the finish.

A gentle red-fruit-driven nose moves neatly into a compact, fresh palate with tidy tannins and a clean finish. Nothing is
done at haste here and it is nicely balanced, too, if a little one-dimensional.