2005 Château Kirwan

A third-growth, this intense, powerful and concentrated wine should play to its strengths in a vintage such as 2005, with its enormous tannin and density. This is one of the more backward of the 2005s, quite masculine, tannic and bold, with a deep ruby/purple color, lots of spice, a touch of wood and new oak as well as a medium to full-bodied, rather backward, tannic mouthfeel. It’s all there, and the wine certainly has plenty of concentration, but it needs another 3-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well for at least a quarter of a century.

Very dark crimson. Extremely sweet and ripe – lacks a bit of energy although there is quite a bit of green acidity on the finish. A little bit awkward at the moment. (JR)