Wine Advisor
Kirwan 2011
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A blend 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot, the Kirwan appears more disjointed on the nose compared to its peers and it does not appear to have achieved the same level of ripeness. The palate is medium-bodied with dusky tannins on the entry. It is a little simple and chunky, rather stumbling towards the finish. I hope there is more to offer in bottle. Tasted April 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This wine is somewhat of a paradox in that it offers soft, fleshy fruit as well as hard tannins that kick in in the finish. It seemingly has not settled completely following its malolactic fermentation. However, it reveals good spice as well as this chateau’s masculine, fuller style, but the tannins need to become better integrated and resolved.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Plenty of dark berries and fresh ceps on the nose and palate. Full to medium body with polished tannins and an attractive finish. Well-done. Reserved style of Kirwan.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This young red has a lot of polish, with firm, refined tannins and a berry, currant and mineral character. Full body, fresh acidity and a clean, fruity finish. Reserved and beautiful. Try in 2017.
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.
