Wine Advisor
Kirwan 2014
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 Château Kirwan, which was blended in mid-January and is being raised in around 40% new wood, has an intense bouquet. Tasting it alongside the '14 Gruaud Larose, it does not quite have the same detail, but what I appreciate here is that it is quintessentially "Margaux" those violets bursting from the glass flanked by crème de cassis and vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with gently grippy tannin, the acidity nicely judged with a precise finish that is long in the mouth. There is more precision here compared to recent vintages and fine mineralité on the aftertaste. I look forward to re-tasting this when in bottle.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 Kirwan has a brisk raspberry and wild strawberry nose, a touch confit with rose petal scents emerging with time, the vanilla aspect observed in barrel now completely assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well-judged acidity. Harmonious in the mouth with good body, it builds nicely with cedar and white pepper-infused black fruit, though it just cuts away swiftly on the finish that maybe knocked off a point on the bottle tasting in October 2016, though six months later, a second bottle showed more persistence. This is a commendable Kirwan that should give 15-20 years of pleasure.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 Kirwan seems oxidized on the nose. The palate is dry on the entry with sour cherries. It's chewy with a blunt finish. It's not a representative bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Fresh herb and berry character with hints of lavender. Full to medium body, firm tannins and a long finish. This is on it for the vintage. Drink in 2020.
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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