Kirwan 2016

Margaux, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes
The 2016 Kirwan, the second vintage made in the new cuverie, has a tightly knit bouquet of blackberry, pencil lead, crushed stone and pressed iris. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity, and a little more succulent than it showed in barrel, leading to a persistent finish. This is a fine Kirwan, though with their new winery, I’m convinced that more can be achieved from their terroir. Score: 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2045 01 January 2019
The 2016 Kirwan is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot picked up 49 hectoliters per hectare between 27 September until 18 October. The nose needed some encouragement from the glass, perhaps not quite as cohesive as I was expecting, angular black fruit with a dash of white pepper. It just felt rather broody and unsettled at this early stage. On the palate, I discerned some hardness on the tannin, rendering this a more masculine Kirwan that will hopefully flesh out once in bottle. With a new winery, I am anticipating great things from Kirwan. This might be a wine that will blossom later than others, so I will keep a watchful eye. Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2023-2040 28 April 2017
This is an effortlessly elegant and classy Margaux. Real structure where the tannins hold without being intrusive, close to the 2015 in quality. They have new cellars here, so lots to look forward to over the next decade as they really begin to benefit from the extra precision. Extremely classic Margaux, a great signature of the appellation. Score: 93 Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 20 April 2017
Perfumed and attractive with bright red fruits. Svelte body with deft tannins with refreshing acidity. Score: 91 - 93 Albany Vintners, - 19 April 2017
Dark purplish crimson. Some freshness on the nose with a hint of ink and pencils. A certain 'mineral' scent. A very slight green note but not bad at all, and certainly not forced. Real Margaux charm. Lift and pleasure in a dry idiom. (17-) Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026-2042 17 April 2017
Fresh and open in feel, with a caressing edge to the plum and cherry fruit, followed by light lilac and incense notes through the finish. Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 10 April 2017
A fresh and clean wine with currant and wet-earth character. Medium body and a medium finish. Score: 88 - 89 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Kirwan, the second vintage made in the new cuverie, has a tightly knit bouquet of blackberry, pencil lead, crushed stone and pressed iris. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity, and a little more succulent than it showed in barrel, leading to a persistent finish. This is a fine Kirwan, though with their new winery, I’m convinced that more can be achieved from their terroir.

Score: 91

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2045 01 January 2019

The 2016 Kirwan is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot picked up 49 hectoliters per hectare between 27 September until 18 October. The nose needed some encouragement from the glass, perhaps not quite as cohesive as I was expecting, angular black fruit with a dash of white pepper. It just felt rather broody and unsettled at this early stage. On the palate, I discerned some hardness on the tannin, rendering this a more masculine Kirwan that will hopefully flesh out once in bottle. With a new winery, I am anticipating great things from Kirwan. This might be a wine that will blossom later than others, so I will keep a watchful eye.

Score: 89 - 91

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2023-2040 28 April 2017

This is an effortlessly elegant and classy Margaux. Real structure where the tannins hold without being intrusive, close to the 2015 in quality. They have new cellars here, so lots to look forward to over the next decade as they really begin to benefit from the extra precision. Extremely classic Margaux, a great signature of the appellation.

Score: 93

Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 20 April 2017

Perfumed and attractive with bright red fruits. Svelte body with deft tannins with refreshing acidity.

Score: 91 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 19 April 2017

Dark purplish crimson. Some freshness on the nose with a hint of ink and pencils. A certain 'mineral' scent. A very slight green note but not bad at all, and certainly not forced. Real Margaux charm. Lift and pleasure in a dry idiom. (17-)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026-2042 17 April 2017

Fresh and open in feel, with a caressing edge to the plum and cherry fruit, followed by light lilac and incense notes through the finish.

Score: 89 - 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 10 April 2017

A fresh and clean wine with currant and wet-earth character. Medium body and a medium finish.

Score: 88 - 89

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017

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