Winemaker Notes
The 2025 vintage joins the long list of the "Big Five." It differs, however, from the 2015 or 2005 vintages in its freshness. Less sunny than 2015, less extracted than 2005, it also appears richer, with remarkable purity and aromatic brilliance. The 2025 is rich while remaining exceptionally refined. There is no doubt at this stage that it deserves a long aging in barrels.
Blend: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère
Professional Ratings
-
Decanter
Great florality on the nose, juicy, succulent, crisp and ripe at the same time. This has energy and life, still compact and fully tannic but I like the confidence and upfront nature. They haven’t held back here but managed a fun, fruity, grippy and full of life style with refined edges and plenty of underlying power. Mint, liquorice, tobacco and wet stones on the finish. Very good. 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere complete the blend.
Barrel Sample: 95 -
Vinous
The 2025 Kirwan takes a little time to settle in the glass, but it is worth the wait as it coalesces and reveals very seductive blackberry and blueberry fruit, pressed violet and light undergrowth scents. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with silky, smooth tannins, a keen line of acidity, velvety and caressing, with ample weight on the quintessentially Margaux finish. What a beautiful wine in the making. –Neal Martin
Barrel Sample: 93-95 -
Jeb Dunnuck
Juicy red and blue fruits, spicy wood, graphite, and plenty of exotic floral nuances all define the 2025 Château Kirwan. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has juicy acidity and nicely integrated, soft tannins. I suspect this charming, complex, satisfying Margaux will shine right out of the gate.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
James Suckling
The purity of fruit is very attractive, with blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied with a juicy finish. A solid Kirwan.
Barrel Sample: 93-94
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Silky, seductive and polished are the words that characterize the best wines from Margaux, the most inland appellation of the Médoc on the Left Bank of Bordeaux.
Margaux’s gravel soils are the thinnest of the Médoc, making them most penetrable by vine roots—some reaching down over 23 feet for water. The best sites are said to be on gentle outcrops, or croupes, where more gravel facilitates good drainage.
The Left Bank of Bordeaux subscribes to an arguably outdated method of classification but it is nonetheless important in regards to history of the area. In 1855 the finest chateaux were deemed on the basis of reputation and trading price—at that time. In 1855, Chateau Margaux achieved first growth status, yet it has been Chateau Palmer (officially third growth from the 1855 classification) that has consistently outperformed others throughout the 20th century.
Chateau Margaux in top vintages is capable of producing red Cabernet Sauvignon based wines described as pure, intense, spell-binding, refined and profound with flavors and aromas of black currant, violets, roses, orange peel, black tea and incense.
Other top producers worthy of noting include Chateau Rauzan-Ségla, Lascombes, Brane-Cantenac, and d’Issan, among others.
The best wines of Margaux combine a deep ruby color with a polished structure, concentration and an unrivaled elegance.