Wine Advisor
Kirwan 2013
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Kirwan 2013 has a reticent nose at first, light gravel-tinged black fruit that have a slight Pauillac allure a la Brane-Cantenac. But I would have liked more vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple opening: bright red berry fruit, well judged acidity, cohesive with more depth on the finish than I expected. This is definitely one of the brighter spots of the appellation this year. Bravo. Tasted April 2014.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A slightly evolved nose is followed by a wine with tart, crisp acids, but a healthy dark ruby/purple color, good fruit and purity, medium body and a fresh, lively, zesty finish. Consumers looking for a less massive, super-concentrated Bordeaux than those from vintages such as 2009 and 2010, the 2013 Kirwan is a good alternative. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2013 Kirwan has one of the better sets of aromatics from Margaux with simple blackberry and bilberry scents, plus a tinge of damp earth. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly stringy tannin but good acidity, while the finish shows less under-ripeness than its peers. It does lack length and there is a distracting metallic note on the aftertaste that contradicts the quality of the nose. It is a decent Margaux, if not performing as well as I was hoping from barrel.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A balanced wine with blueberry and berry character, a medium body and a delicate finish. Fine tannins.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A delicious 2013 with soft and velvety tannins, juicy fruit and a chocolate undertone. Medium body. Subtle yet flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
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.
