Chateau Kirwan Margaux 2011

Château Kirwan is a producer located in Margaux, in the southern Médoc, some 30km (18 miles) north of Bordeaux town center. The estate was classified as a Third Growth in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines.

The château is named after Mark Kirwan, an Irishman, who acquired the property from Englishman John Collingwood in 1760 after marrying Collingwood’s daughter. He built the château and put his name on the label to make it easier for merchants to identify and sell his wines.

Thomas Jefferson, a lover of Bordeaux, wrote about Château Kirwan (he refered to it as “Quirouen” in his writings) in 1787, and listed it in his second tier of wines. This was, however, before 1855, when it was officially classified as a third growth.

A Red wine from Médoc, Bordeaux, France. Made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot.

The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.