Kirwan Margaux 2019

95-97 points Wine Enthusiast: "With its new cellars, the estate is performing at top speed and this vintage keeps up the fine track record. Firm tannins and beautifully perfumed fruit are blending together to give a wine that has style as well as structured fruitiness, with all the elegance of great Margaux. Think long-term aging for this wine."

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2019 Kirwan has a deep garnet-purple color. To begin it offers classic notes of cassis, pencil lead, and cedar, opening out to notions of crushed rocks, wild sage, and roses. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit, refreshing, and energetic, with fine-grained tannins and a mineral-laced finish. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2024-2042. (May 2023)"

95 points James Suckling: "Blackcurrants with bark, cedar and dried flowers coming through in the nose. Full-bodied with integrated tannins and a long, linear finish. Racy and refined. Sophisticated. Try after 2024. (2/20/22)"

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere). Well-placed, sappy and succulent damson, blackberry and cassis fruits. This is graceful and well-balanced, with a lingering, gently spiced finish that stretches out with a satisfyingly juicy feel that has deepened over ageing. First vintage where you find a touch of Carmanère in Kirwan. Technical director Philippe Delfaut, this is an upscore this En Primeur. Drink: 2028-2044. Alcohol 13.5%. (10/26/21)"

94 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The Kirwan 2019 is a lovely Margaux classic that seduces us with its elegance and soft velvety texture. Full-bodied and sapid on the finish. This is a benchmark Kirwan and a highly recommendable Margaux. (2023)"

94 points Rod Smith, MW (TimAtkin.com): "Rich sweet black fruit aromas tightly reined in by spicy oak with aromas of clove and a little floral edge. Classic structure with a lovely, rounded texture sweet red and black fruits and fresh acidity. Good well extracted and balanced fine tannins, and a lovely classic finish. Should be approachable in relative youth, around eight years, and drinking deliciously for a couple of decades or more thereafter. Lovely, elegant wine. (2022)"

93 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Kirwan retains the engaging floral aromas that I noticed from barrel, well-defined and fragrant, rose petals and a touch of peony complementing the red currant and wild strawberry fruit. The fresh palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and generous, with supple tannins and a hint of white pepper toward the finish, which fans out nicely. This is one of the best Kirwans in recent years and yet I still feel this Margaux can reach higher. Drink: 2024-2045. (Feb 2022)"

93 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Rich nose, nicely expressive. The palate is filled with cool but also softly sweet blue fruits, black cherries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Liquorice and wet stone comes through straight away, a real mineral aspect, while there's some stalky aspects too - smoked cedar around the edges that needs a bit of time to soften. I like the structure and clarity here, such precision and balance. Lots to enjoy - one to hold on to. Drinking Window: 2023-2035. (Jan 2022)"

93 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet brightening at the rim. Fine spicy forest berry nuances, a hint of liquorice, tangerine zest, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, fresh texture, fine tannins, salty-mineral finish, pronounced fruit on the aftertaste, sweet cherry on the finish, a balanced food wine. (6/15/20)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "Lets very dark plum sauce, cassis and boysenberry preserve flavors unfurl over silky tannins, with black tea and a light sanguine hint infusing the finish. What you see is what you get—and it's delicious. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. Drink now through 2032. (3/31/22)"

92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Redcurrants, Bing cherry, graphite, licorice, violet, and flowery incense notes all define the bouquet of the 2019 Chateau Kirwan, a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Margaux that has a pretty, elegant, juicy style. It doesn't have the density of the top wines in the appellation, yet it's certainly nicely balanced, has supple tannins, and nicely integrated acidity, all making for a beautifully polished, elegant 2019 to drink over the coming 20 years or so. Drink: 2022-2042. (4/11/22)"