Kirwan's 2020 offering is an opaque crimson blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. From a bottle that was Vinturi-decanted and allowed three hours in carafe prior to tasting, the wine was serially sampled over the ensuing 2-3 hours. Intensely aromatic, it serves up a ripe package of blackcurrant, dark plum and blueberry fruit that is accented with notes of graphite, sage, lavender and licorice. Medium-to-full-bodied, fresh and with well-integrated alcohol (14%), it delivers flavors congruent with the aromas, wrapped with plentiful burnished tannins and a generous aliquot of toasted oak. Dense and layered in the middle, it concludes with a lengthy, silky-textured finish. If you choose to pop the cork at this early stage, give it plenty of air. It would otherwise be most prudent to lay one's bottles down for at least five years, primarily so that the wood can fully assimilate. Thereafter, this terrific version of Kirwan will provide pleasure for at least two decades. Drink 2028-2050.
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Deep colour Great purity and lift, fragrant and attractive dark fruits – cassis, black raspberry and black cherry but also plenty of vapour (!). Cool, perhaps some mint or maybe coal/tar. Super freshness and definition.
Stimulating attack, very good acidity and a spicy, almost prickly. Shows some tension, it has a bright intensity and the tannins are fine and almost supple. Black fruits, a little ink, blue notes too – all fairly tight and mineral, fresh and long. Smart. I like it. Sort of 2016 in style.
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Wet earth, cocoa, mint, flowers, and spicy red fruits open the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, soft and polished with layers of sweet, lush cherries, black currants and plums. Fresh and polished, this will drink well young, yet age for decades. Drink from 2024-2050.
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1/14/2024 - Madera16 wrote:
UGC - Ripe, plush.
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8/14/2023 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Kirwan's 2020 offering is an opaque crimson blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. From a bottle that was Vinturi-decanted and allowed three hours in carafe prior to tasting, the wine was serially sampled over the ensuing 2-3 hours. Intensely aromatic, it serves up a ripe package of blackcurrant, dark plum and blueberry fruit that is accented with notes of graphite, sage, lavender and licorice. Medium-to-full-bodied, fresh and with well-integrated alcohol (14%), it delivers flavors congruent with the aromas, wrapped with plentiful burnished tannins and a generous aliquot of toasted oak. Dense and layered in the middle, it concludes with a lengthy, silky-textured finish. If you choose to pop the cork at this early stage, give it plenty of air. It would otherwise be most prudent to lay one's bottles down for at least five years, primarily so that the wood can fully assimilate. Thereafter, this terrific version of Kirwan will provide pleasure for at least two decades. Drink 2028-2050.
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6/1/2023 - Shrewsram Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep colour
Great purity and lift, fragrant and attractive dark fruits – cassis, black raspberry and black cherry but also plenty of vapour (!). Cool, perhaps some mint or maybe coal/tar. Super freshness and definition.
Stimulating attack, very good acidity and a spicy, almost prickly. Shows some tension, it has a bright intensity and the tannins are fine and almost supple. Black fruits, a little ink, blue notes too – all fairly tight and mineral, fresh and long. Smart. I like it. Sort of 2016 in style.
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3/21/2023 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Wet earth, cocoa, mint, flowers, and spicy red fruits open the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, soft and polished with layers of sweet, lush cherries, black currants and plums. Fresh and polished, this will drink well young, yet age for decades. Drink from 2024-2050.
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3/6/2023 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
UGCB tasting Bordeaux 2020 Walkaround tasting so in general just short notes (Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam.): Red and dark berry fruits, beautifully dosed oak, good acidity and sticky tannin. Beautiful wine.
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