This is a generous, full-bodied wine. Touches of vanilla indicate the wood aging but that will go as the elegant structure and black fruits come to the fore. The wine's future is assured, promising impressive drinking from 2027. - Roger Voss

Blueberry, blackberry, black tea, dark chocolate and walnut on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, well integrated tannins. Silky and richly flavored. Always shows finesse. Lots of character at the finish, from wet earth and mushroom to currant and berry. Try from 2024.

More concentrated and exuberant than the 2017, reflective of a year where they lost 50% of the harvest to mildew - the Cantenac plateau was the epicentre of the issues in the vintage, and here Kirwan was taking its first steps with organic farming. It meant a high percentage of Petit Verdot, and you feel the weight through the mid palate, and the waves of black pepper, sage, rosemary, rose oil, incense, cassis, pomegranate and passion fruit, complex and really rather lovely. Needs more time in bottle. 50% new oak for ageing.

This drapes wonderfully, with its range of warmed cassis, plum reduction and blackberry preserve flavors displaying a cashmere feel while warmed anise, alder, juniper and bay details peek in throughout. Rich yet defined finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. — J.M.

The dark and serious fruit here is less exuberant than some and heads towards a more intellectual take on the vintage, possibly due to the concentrating effect of the 25hl/ha yields, a result of mildew and the summer heat. It has great persistency and spice, although the aromatics take a while to reveal themselves. The fresh acidity suggests this is going to age extremely well. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-kirwan-margaux-3eme-cru-classe-bordeaux-2018-29300#Dle5FdhDcL5CGJCx.99

One of the few wines I wasn't able to taste from barrel, the 2018 Château Kirwan is certainly an outstanding wine now from bottle. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as beautiful notes of crème de cassis and earthy currant fruits, it's medium to full-bodied and has a kiss of background oak, plenty of spicy, floral nuances, and a great finish. It's another terrific 2018 with solid up-front appeal yet the balance, structure, and class to evolve for 20-25 years.

Medium bodied, with layers of silky, soft, sweet, red fruits, licorice and tobacco leaf, the wine is charming, refined and fresh. Give it 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 15-20 years after that. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2018&wine=Chateau%20Kirwan

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Kirwan comes barreling out of the glass with notes of cedar chest, cloves and stewed plums, followed by notions of cassis, dried Provence herbs and tobacco leaf with a waft of dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating, juicy black fruits with a plush texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown