Château Kirwan 2015

Leans toward the old-school side, with singed cedar and alder notes, perfumy black tea and mulled spice aromas and a core of gently steeped plum and black currant fruit, all carried by lightly dusty tannins through the finish. Balanced, charming and certain to age gracefully. Best from 2020 through 2032. 10,000 cases made.

The nose shows a frankness of expression, with cinnamon spice, cedar, and an enjoyable, seductive swirl of ruby and blackberry fruits. Lively on the attack, it is full of pleasure and should be ready just a touch earlier than some others in the appellation—think eight rather than 10 to 12 years. There is complexity here, and a sense of freshness that runs through the structure.

A sleek wine with plenty of tannins, but they are already so well integrated that this has a very elegant personality. The long finish is rather mineral and very pure. Drink or hold.

Tasted blind. Light, savoury nose. Drying out. Fruitless! (JR)

The 2015 Kirwan is positively stellar. Deep, fleshy and incredibly inviting, the 2015 will drink well right out of the gate. The balance of aromatics, fruit and structure is compelling. Plum, blackberry, chocolate, licorice and spice fill out the wine's creamy, supple frame. Readers should expect a bold, fleshy style.

The past few years have added extra flesh and nuance to this wine. Now, you find a perfumed wine filled with flowers, espresso, black raspberries, thyme, plums, and a touch of chocolate. The creamy-textured finish delivers sweet, ripe, fleshy, dark red fruits. Drink from 2024-2040.

Deep ruby with purple reflections and subtle rim brightening. Delicately savoury cherry fruit underlay, tobacco nuances and candied orange zest. Juicy and elegant on the palate, with fine cherry, a red berry touch, elegant and fresh, mineral finish, lemon touch in the aftertaste.

The 2015 Château Kirwan showed beautifully and is just another data point pointing to Margaux being the star of the Médoc. It boasts a deep ruby/plum color as well as thrilling notes of black raspberries, toasted bread, Asian spices and lead pencil. With subtle background oak, a ripe, opulent texture, sweet tannin, and notable purity and elegance, give bottle 3-4 years in the cellar and enjoy through 2035+.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, ruby rim. The bouquet is not very talkative, showing floral, cool, barely ripe fruit notes. On the palate, quite strict, muscular, with a slight capsule-like note on the finish. This Kirwan unfortunately falls well short of the vintage’s expectations. (16/20). 18: Medium ruby-garnet with a clearly brightening rim. Floral bouquet, showing herbal, slightly leafy notes. Somehow it comes across a bit (too) dry on the attack. The astringency is very demanding, showing a peppery-acidic note and appearing completely up front, with sturdy tannins, capsule notes, roughening and offering a rustic to arrogant texture. The label clearly states “Grand Cru,” which unfortunately is not reflected in the contents—at least for now.

Mineral, herbal, restrained bouquet, red berries, chalk, young wood. Firm, dry palate with sandy tannins, light, sweet aromatics, bony structure, dry finish. 16/20 2023 - 2032

As with the 2009, you can discern the impact of the vintage on the aromatics, with depth and power, waves of cumin and rosemary, sage, liquorice root, blackberry, cassis, crushed rose petals. Excellent quality, 51 hl/ha yield, 50% new oak for ageing. Harvesting began September 18. First year vinified in the new ageing cellars. Underlines how Margaux was unusual in the Médoc for being a really excellent appellation to head to in the 2015 vintage. Eric Boissenot consultant, Philippe Delfaut director.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot gives the 2015 Kirwan a deep garnet color. It needs a little coaxing to bring out a fabulous perfume of dried roses, unsmoked cigars and fragrant earth, leading to a core of warm cassis, cherry pie and boysenberry preserves. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with earth and floral accented black fruits, supported by ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing on a lingering minty note.

Still a bit tight overall, due to oak that hasn’t fully integrated yet, but there is flesh and the finish shows great promise. Wait another five years?

While it may seem a little discreet on the attack, it then opens up and reveals a body with fresh fruit aromas. Supple, yet elongated.

The color is black with blackberry aromas. The wine is dense, relatively tannic and fresh, which gives it structure and beautiful texture. A great wine for aging that will reward patience.

First vintage of Kirwan in the new vat room. In 2015, the blend practically matches the vineyard’s varietal makeup. Garnet red with pale rims. What charm on the nose in this 2015! Notes of ripe fruit and licorice. On the palate, the wine is creamy, balanced, and broad. It has good tannins and a structure that is surprisingly fresh for such a sun-drenched vintage. This is indeed one of the priorities of Philipe Delfaut, the Director of Kirwan, who focuses strongly on freshness and takes care not to produce jammy or heavy wines. A wine that can be approached soon but still deserves a little more cellaring.

Dark, intense, and vibrant color. Moderately intense nose with ripe fruit. Smooth, very fruity palate that develops with savory nuances on a finely detailed texture, offering flavor, length, and beautifully coated tannins.