Wine Advisor
Kirwan 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2012 Kirwan is backward and broody on the nose with darker fruit than the 2012 Giscours and a little more concentration, though it needs a bit more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a juicy opening, black plum, Xmas cake and a pinch of white pepper, quite full and punchy on the finish. Drink now and over the next decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This muscular, firmly structured, intense, powerful 2012 exhibits an attractive ruby/purple color along with aromas of flowers, black currants, vanillin and a hint of graphite. A modern styled Margaux with plenty of muscle, firmness and a more tannic structure than other wines of the appellation, it will benefit from several years of cellaring and can be drunk over the following 12-15 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Kirwan 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot picked from 28 September. It has a ripe, sorbet-like freshness on the nose with kirsch, wild strawberry and a touch of creme de cassis. The palate demonstrates good extraction on the entry. There is a pleasant salty tang here, good body and presence with a “solid” finish that bodes well for the future. You feel that the wine has been pushed to the limit, but not over it. The Kirwan may merit a higher mark after bottling. Tasted April 2013.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
From the Schroder and Schyler family, the 2012 Kirwan is dense ruby/purple and exhibits notes of cassis, licorice and a touch of toasty oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, tightly knit, but very promising Margaux. Concentrated, long and rich, this wine is still playing it close to the vest. It should be at its best in another 5-7 years and last at least two decades.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2012 Kirwan is backward and broody on the nose with darker fruit than the 2012 Giscours and a little more concentration, though it needs a bit more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a juicy opening, black plum, Xmas cake and a pinch of white pepper, quite full and punchy on the finish. Drink now and over the next decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Very concise and clear aromas of blackberries and minerals. Full body, with fine tannins and a slightly hollow center palate, but well done for the vintage.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Bright and fruity with a subtle currant, strawberry and raspberry character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink in 2018.
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.
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