Tasted at the Margaux UGC. The Kirwan evinces promise on the nose with sweet black cherry fruit, briary, cedar and a touch of graphite. Quite rounded and with great purity. The palate is full-bodied, more sinewy than other Margaux wines, but it does not compromise on balance, that tannins masculine and a little austere, but counterpoising the exuberant fruit nicely. Good grip on the finish: this is an excellent Kirwan. Tasted March 2010.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 29/02/2012 A big, powerful Margaux that should age for 20+ years, this inky purple-colored wine exhibits notes of spring flowers intermixed with blackberries, raspberries and cassis. Some lead pencil shavings and toasty oak are also present in this powerful yet at the same time very pure, textured, full-throttle Kirwan. It needs about 5-7 years of cellaring and will be among the longest-lived wines of the vintage. This inky/purple-hued Margaux reveals aromas and flavors of blackberries, cassis, espresso roast, graphite, and new oak. Full-bodied, layered, and rich as well as elegant and precise, it needs 5-6 years of cellaring, and should last for 25-30+ years. It is a very strong effort from Kirwan. (Tasted two times.) (90-92+)