2014 Chateau Kirwan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France

OVERVIEW

The 2015 Chateau Batailley is a great example of a top Pauillac from a classified growth that significantly outperforms it's price point in top vintages. Just coming into it's drinking window, this vintage will drink beautifully today and for the next 20 years.

CRITIC REVIEWS

The 2014 Kirwan has a brisk raspberry and wild strawberry nose, a touch confit with rose petal scents emerging with time, the vanilla aspect observed in barrel now completely assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well-judged acidity. Harmonious in the mouth with good body, it builds nicely with cedar and white pepper-infused black fruit, though it just cuts away swiftly on the finish that maybe knocked off a point on the bottle tasting in October 2016, though six months later, a second bottle showed more persistence. This is a commendable Kirwan that should give 15-20 years of pleasure. 91 Points. The Wine Advocate (April 2017)

FOOD PAIRING INSPIRATION

Pairs well with lamb, roasted and grilled meats, game and beef.

VINTAGE AND WINEMAKING

Hailstorms and wind started off a difficult vintage in the Medoc but Kirwan managed to miss any hail damage and August was quite cool, delaying the ripening and yet September was the hottest yet recorded. In spite of the unfavourable conditions the grapes did ripen with alcohol levels reaching 15% in the young vines. This will go down as an early drinking vintage.

The blend is typically 40/30/20/10 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France and Petit Verdot and the grapes had harvested in 50% new oak for around 18 months. In 2014 the blend was 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.

PRODUCER NOTES

This 3ème Cru Classé in Margaux has rather hit it's stride over the last decade having developed  a prior reputation for not living up to it's 1855 billing. However, the wines today are regarded as some of the best value in Margaux as prices are yet to catch reputation in an appellation of superstars.

Winemaker extraordinaire, the great Parker favourite, Michel Rolland has been consulting at Kirwan for the past few decades adding depth of fruit and flavour to help Kirwan regain it's 3ème Cru Classé not just on paper but on the palate too.

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SERVICE AND STORAGE TIPS

The wine should be stored over the longer term at 12c. We recommend this wine be brought up to around 16c for service. This temperature more closely resembles cellar conditions and allows the wine to be lifted and have freshness. For such a young wine, if it were served today we would recommend a few hours in a young wine decanter.

DELIVERY INFORMATION

Delivery is free when you spend over £150. For orders under this amount then a £9.99 delivery charge will be applied.

We use a tracked DPD delivery service who provide text and email tracking updates.

Every bottle sold by CoolerSomm is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine is corked or faulty, we will replace it.

2014 Chateau Kirwan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France