Bis 1991 hatte Chateau Kirwan eine etwa 100 Jahre lange Durststrecke zu überwinden. Für große Weine war Kirwan während dieser Periode nicht bekannt. Dann aber kam Michel Rolland und sofort ging es mit der Qualität nach oben. Von nun an war Kirwan wesentlich weicher vinifiziert, hatte höhere Extraktwerte und deutlich mehr Power. Der Lesezeitpunkt wurde zur Erzielung reiferer Frucht deutlich nach hinten verschoben. Der Vertrag mit Rolland endete 2006 - die Weine von Chateau Kirwan sind seitdem aber keinen Deut schlechter geworden. In den vergangenen Jahren zählte Kirwan permanent zu den Top-Werten in Margaux. Der Rebsortenspiegel in den 37 Hektar Weinbergen beträgt 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc und 10% Petit Verdot. Der Ausbau erfolgt für 18 bis 22 Monate in zur Hälfte neuen Barriques.
92-94 THE WINEADVOCATE: "Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2019 Kirwan comes prancing out of the glass with beguiling scents of rose petals, Morello cherries, boysenberries and warm cassis plus nuances of pencil shavings, wild sage and lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly textured with invigorating red berry and floral-laced flavors lifting the black fruits, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Impressively crafted!"
93 FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feinwürzig unterlegte Waldbeernuancen, ein Hauch von Lakritze, Mandarinenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, elegant, frische Textur, feine Tannine, salzig-mineralisch im Abgang, zarte Extraktsüße im Rückgeschmack, Herzkirschen im Nachhall, ein ausgewogener Begleiter bei Tisch."
95-97 WINE ENTHUSIAST: "With its new cellars, the estate is performing at top speed and this vintage keeps up the fine track record. Firm tannins and beautifully perfumed fruit are blending together to give a wine that has style as well as structured fruitiness, with all the elegance of great Margaux. Think long-term aging for this wine."
93 DECANTER: "Careful extraction of the sappy, and enjoyably structured, blackcurrant and blackberry fruits. This is a quality Kirwan that, as with last year, is a fairly serious take on the vintage within the appellation. An earthy, smoked cedar note comes out as the structure relaxes, and there is a lot to enjoy in this wine, which is certain to power through the decades. Blend completed with 6% Petit Verdot and for the first time 1% Carmanère."
93-94 JAMES SUCKLING: "Lovely depth of fruit to this, and a line of tannins that draw through the wine. It’s medium-to full-bodied with polished structure. Focused and transparent. Better than the 2018."
91-93 ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2019 Kirwan offers a quintessential Margaux bouquet with vivid black and blue fruit laced with crushed violets, a sensual and generous nose that will please many. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy rounded tannins, one of the texturally creamiest within the Margaux appelation. I feel it just shaves away some tension and grip on the finish. This will be a thoroughly pleasurable Kirwan." - Neal Martin
90-92 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers and sweet cherries with licorice and coffee notes on the nose start off nicely. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, medium-bodied and fresh with a fresh, juicy, dark cherry and cassis finish."
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