Château Kirwan 2024

Dark-fruited and extremely refined on the nose, cassis, cherries, smoky notes; harmonious on the palate, ample fruit, fine tannins, well-judged acidity, a red-fruited finish. Very elegant and full of finesse! A superb success this year.

Blue fruit, inky tones, crayon and liquorice. Ripe fruit with a juicy core with really quite forward and present tannins that grip the palate and hold on. More chalky and powdery than dry though which provides a nice counter to the tangy acidity. This will be lovely in time, relaxed, calm and softly juicy but still with enough texture to be filling. Not bad at all. Clean and focussed with refinement. 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère complete the blend.

Flowers, red currants, and leafy tobacco notes are on display in the nose. Medium-bodied, sharp, vibrant, and crisp on the palate, the wine finishes with spicy, red berries, and peppery herb sensations, topped off by a refreshing note of mint at the end of the finish. Drink from 2028-2040. 90-92 Pts

(68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Carménère) The nose is elegant, delicate, fresh, ample, velvety and offers aromatic complexity (and depth) as well as a fine, elegant austerity. Lovely finesse in its grain. We find notes of juicy black cherry and wild strawberry, and, more lightly, blueberry, combined with touches of bright red berries, hints of Cubeb pepper, camphor, cocoa nibs, nutmeg, and subtle hints of lilac/blueberry. The palate is beautifully guided, delicate, airy, and offers lovely energy, fine acidity/tang, drive, and a subtle vibrant edge. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy blackcurrant and blueberry and, more lightly, crushed raspberry, combined with touches of juicy purple plum, fresh cherry, lilac, chocolate, as well as fine hints of infusion, bergamot, and a delicate gravelly, iodized note. The tannins are well-handled, mellow, precise, and offer a fine chew. Good length. Lovely suppleness and salinity mid-palate. A lovely poetic wine, fresh, tangy, and vibrant.