1975 Kirwan

Less lively a crimson than the 1970 below but still quite deep for a 30-year-old wine. Very cassis and mellow on the nose. Sweet, harmonious and very gentle now – unrecognisable from the inky 1975 primeurs I remember tasting in 1976 – my first taste of a Bordeaux vintage in its infancy. Good balance and medium length. Classic, mature claret. The slight sweetness of a dish of crisp pressed suckling pig with trompettes and pumpkin served with it made it taste tarter. (JR)