Chateau Kirwan 2022

Classification
Type	Rouge
Marque	Chateau Kirwan
Millésime	2022
Pays	France
Région	Bordeaux, Margaux
Raisin	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux Blend
Volume
État	Parfait
Étiquette	Parfait
Consommable	2027-2047
Stock	24

Avis professionnels

Robert Parker (92)

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2022 Kirwan exhibits aromas of dark berries, cassis, sweet spices, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate that's unusually lively for the vintage, checking in at a pH of 3.55, a number that it would be impressive to attain on gravel soils in this vintage without acidification.

James Suckling (94)

Blackcurrants and blueberries with violet and heather aromas follow through to a medium to full body with firm and racy tannins and a linear and persistent finish. Solid and precise.

Jancis Robinson (17)

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot.
Dark crimson. Elegant dark fruit, intense but not obviously sweet. The tannins are holding the fruit in thrall but it seems well balanced for a long and elegant future. Powerful, savoury, peppery/spicy and long. (JH)Deep purple. Intensely perfumed. Blackberry notes and evidence that care has been taken not to overdo the extraction. Quite a dramatic wine and one that is definitely informed by the vintage. Long and with acidity more apparent than the fine tannins. (JR)

Vinous (93)

The 2022 Kirwan was transferred into barrel early in October, blended at the end of January, aged for 20 months in 50% new oak and bottled in June 2024. It has a delineated, focused bouquet, with commendable purity of fruit, blackberry and bilberry notes, a light estuarine touch (sea spray) and cedar. The oak is very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins, a keen thread of acidity and a little more structured than I remember from barrel, rendering it more similar to the 2020 than the 2019. It's lively and peppery on the aftertaste, with more precision than recent vintages. This vindicates my positive review from two years ago. It is one of the finest Kirwans in recent years.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The 2022 Château Kirwan is based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in barrel. It has a classic nose of spicy oak, ripe red and black fruits, baking spices, and flowers. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Margaux with a concentrated, pure, layered mouthfeel, some nicely integrated, classy oak, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's a wonderfully complex, concentrated, balanced 2022 that's just about impossible to resist today, yet will have a lengthy drink window. It will ideally be given 4-6 years of bottle age and enjoyed over the following two decades.

Decanter (94)

Ripe and perfumed aromas. Supple and fleshy on the palate, there's a sense of cushioning to the expression with plump fruit but not too massy or ripe, especially with a mineral-edged, salty acidity that lifts the tannins from being too heavy. It's on the fully charged spectrum but also delivers lots of juiciness. When it settles this will be very pleasurable.