This shows notes of ripe dark berries with hints of licorice and orange peel. It’s very polished and refined with a solid center-palate. Medium-bodied and creamy on the finish.

Cloves, grilled sandalwood and cedar, with lift and kick, fennel and cola, espresso and sage, savoury, cassis bud, fine tannins. Great balance and finesse, with appellation character.

The 2023 Kirwan is dense, resonant and impeccably balanced. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol, spice and lavender are all dialed up in this decidedly intense Margaux. Kirwan packs quite the punch, but it is also neatly proportioned, not to mention incredibly delicious.

The 2023 Kirwan was tasted from two bottles as I was unhappy with the first. The second has a ripe red cherry and crushed strawberry nose that almost feels as if there is a touch of carbonic maceration! The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine structure, lightly spiced with a crisp and focused finish. Quite opulent in style, it is not a cerebral Margaux, though it has plenty of exuberance.