Wine Advisor
Kirwan 1998
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the sleepers of the vintage, the 1998 Kirwan displays an opaque purple color, and a concentrated, powerful style with moderately high tannin, intense extract, and copious new oak. It is an excellent, possibly outstanding wine. If the tannin becomes better integrated, this medium to full-bodied powerhouse may be one of the finest values of the vintage, but it will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Although this may not be quite the sleeper of the vintage that I predicted last year, it is dense, but possibly too oaky. A saturated dark ruby/purple color is impressive, and the wine's attack exhibits plenty of cassis fruit. Once past that, there is medium to full body, but considerable new oak dominates its personality at present. There is less charm than expected, but the wine is forceful and concentrated. If the oak becomes better integrated, it will be an upper eighty point effort. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2017.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Dark garnet core. A delicate, feminine nose. The palate is woody and quite tight at the moment. This has greater fruit concentration than recent vintages with admirable high extraction. Could merit a higher score in the future. Tasted June 1999.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This once moribund estate has totally reversed itself. A sleeper of the vintage, the opaque purple-colored 1998 boasts a smoky, licorice, cassis, and mineral-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant, it successfully balances complexity with an unbridled richness and power. Very impressive, particularly in view of its exceptional concentration, it will handsomely repay cellaring of two decades or more. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025.
About the Producer
Kirin Castle's vineyards are located on the Cantenac Heights and cover an area of 37 hectares. Due to the diverse terroir, the winery divides it into 35 parks, in order to adapt to local conditions and fully exploit the potential of each piece of land. Among them, the soil of the Cabinet Ouest is stratified clay, and the Merlot produced here is round and plump; the Mois de juin is distributed with gravel soil, which is conducive to Cabernet Sauvignon (Cabernet Sauvignon) ) ripening and giving it velvety tannins; while another, Canon, also on gravel soils, is located at the highest altitude and is mainly planted with Petit Verdot. The complicated vineyard work of wire racking, tying vines, thinning branches and leaves and grape picking is done manually. After the ripe grapes are picked, they are screened layer by layer before being transported to the winemaking workshop, where they undergo the same meticulous fermentation process. The fermented wine will be aged in French oak barrels with a proportion of about 50% new barrels for about 20 months. During this period, traditional egg white clarification and pouring are required before bottling. It is thanks to the understanding and respect of the vineyard, coupled with the meticulous brewing process, that the excellent quality of Kirin wine was born. In addition, the winery's winemaking consultant is Eric Boissenot, an influential winemaker who will guide the winery's winemaking together with the winery's general manager and technical director. At present, the wines launched by Kirin Castle mainly include the original wine—Chateau Kirwan, Margaux, France and the second wine, Charmes de Kirwan, Margaux, France. Kirin Castle red wine is made from grapes from the best plots of the Kirin Castle vineyard, the fruit picking and two screening are done by hand. Rich and concentrated on the palate, it perfectly expresses the extraordinary terroir of Kirin Castle. The second brand of Château Kirin is made from grapes from young plots in the vineyard. Its fruity taste is outstanding, the mouthfeel is supple, suitable for drinking in the morning.
1982(2)1995(1)
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