Chateau Kirwan 2019

Ample yet lithe in the mouth, Château Kirwan 2019 exhibits brilliant fruity aromas complemented by fresh acidity and silky tannins. The wine is striking for its remarkable, flavorful balance. The most avid connoisseurs would be tempted to drink it as is.

Blend: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere

Wine Advocate: 94
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!

Wine Advocate: 94

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!

Decanter: 93
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.

Decanter: 93

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.

Wine Enthusiast: 97
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.

James Suckling: 94
Blackcurrants with bark, cedar and dried flowers coming through in the nose. Full-bodied with integrated tannins and a long, linear finish. Racy and refined. Sophisticated. Best from 2024.

Jeb Dunnuck: 92
Redcurrants, Bing cherry, graphite, licorice, violet, and flowery incense notes all define the bouquet of the 2019 Chateau Kirwan, a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Margaux that has a pretty, elegant, juicy style. It doesn't have the density of the top wines in the appellation, yet it's certainly nicely balanced, has supple tannins, and nicely integrated acidity, all making for a beautifully polished, elegant 2019 to drink over the coming 20 years or so. Best after 2022.

Jeb Dunnuck: 92

Redcurrants, Bing cherry, graphite, licorice, violet, and flowery incense notes all define the bouquet of the 2019 Chateau Kirwan, a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Margaux that has a pretty, elegant, juicy style. It doesn't have the density of the top wines in the appellation, yet it's certainly nicely balanced, has supple tannins, and nicely integrated acidity, all making for a beautifully polished, elegant 2019 to drink over the coming 20 years or so. Best after 2022.