2022 Kirwan

The 2022 Kirwan was transferred into barrel early in October, blended at the end of January, aged for 20 months in 50% new oak and bottled in June 2024. It has a delineated, focused bouquet, with commendable purity of fruit, blackberry and bilberry notes, a light estuarine touch (sea spray) and cedar. The oak is very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins, a keen thread of acidity and a little more structured than I remember from barrel, rendering it more similar to the 2020 than the 2019. It's lively and peppery on the aftertaste, with more precision than recent vintages. This vindicates my positive review from two years ago. It is one of the finest Kirwans in recent years.

Sandalwood, cumin and white pepper spice on the opening, well measured delivery, luscious black cherry fruits, love the lift through the finish, great quality and with real character. Very good with appellation typicity in this ripe year, this is the second time tasting since it bottle, and it continues to impress. 50% new oak.

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Dark crimson. Elegant dark fruit, intense but not obviously sweet. The tannins are holding the fruit in thrall but it seems well balanced for a long and elegant future. Powerful, savoury, peppery/spicy and long. (JH)