Château Kirwan 2016

Château Kirwan was one of the châteaus actually visited by America's first wine connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson.  At the time, Jefferson thought is was "second in quality behind Margaux, La Tour, Haut-Brion, and La Fite."

"The 2016 Kirwan is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot picked up 49 hectoliters per hectare between 27 September until 18 October. The nose needed some encouragement from the glass, perhaps not quite as cohesive as I was expecting, angular black fruit with a dash of white pepper. It just felt rather broody and unsettled at this early stage. On the palate, I discerned some hardness on the tannin, rendering this a more masculine Kirwan that will hopefully flesh out once in bottle. With a new winery, I am anticipating great things from Kirwan. This might be a wine that will blossom later than others, so I will keep a watchful eye." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (4/28/2017, Issue 230), Ratings: 89-91, Drink: 2023-2040