product details
key information
- Region: Bordeaux
- Sub-Region: n/a
- Style: red
- Vintage: 2004
- Taste guide:
- Grape variety:
- Alcohol Content (%):
- Organic/Vegan/Vegetarian:
Chateau Kirwan gained its name in the 18th Century, having previously been the property of Renard de la Salle, a Bordeaux nobleman, when it was known as La Terre Noble de la Salle. In 1710 the estate was sold to Sir John Collingwood, a merchant who had established his trade in the quayside warehouses of Bordeaux. With his keen interest and knowledge it was Collingwood that established the estate as a working vineyard. Subsequently, Collingwood's daughter married Mark Kirwan, an Irishman, and the property took on a new name, one which has lasted through to modern day. Kirwan established a very good reputation for his estate, and his vineyard was one of many to be visited by Thomas Jefferson, onetime ambassador to France and subsequent US President. Jefferson had a passion for wine, and many Bordeaux estates played host and sold their wine to this travelling oenophile. His records from 1780 tell us that he was very impressed with the wine of Quirouen which, allowing for difficulties in pronunciation must surely refer to Kirwan.
The vineyards of Chateau Kirwan lie on the Cantenac plateau, with near neighbours Prieuré-Lichine and Desmirail. The soils here are sandy, and dominated by gravel topsoil. The vines have an average age of 27 years, and comprise 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and, unusually, a high proportion (10%) of Petit Verdot. They are uprooted at fifty years of age, and replanted once the land has lain fallow for up to five years. Each year the vines see a green harvest. When the true harvest takes place the grapes see a sorting table before fermentation in small, temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. The grand vin, Chateau Kirwan, which never accounts for more than 65% of the harvest, then sees up to 18 months in oak, one third new each vintage, before blending and bottling. This accounts for 16000 cases, whereas since 1993 there has also been 4000 cases of a second wine, Les Charmes de Kirwan.
Dense purple in aspect with ruby hints, providing aromas of cedar, spice box, incense and burning embers on the nose, leading onto a palate of mature dark plum, blackberry, dried figs and chocolate, with prominent tannins and firm acidity. Pair with red meats and cheeses.