2015 Château Kirwan

The 2015 Kirwan appears to have meliorated in recent months. It offers attractive raspberry preserve, mulberry and allspice aromas, gently unveiling tea leaf scents with aeration. The medium-bodied palate displays fine-grained tannin and a taut line of acidity; it is fresh and precise though never powerful, and it gently fans out toward the finish, leaving a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. Classy. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

- Neal Martin (01/2019)

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. (02/2018)

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+. (11/2017)

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. (10/2022)

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.

- J.M.

The 2015 Kirwan has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed red currants, black cherries and black plums with wafts of tilled soil, fallen leaves and bark. The medium-bodied mouth offers nice intensity with soft, fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness on the finish.

- Lisa Perrotti-Brown (02/2018)