Before we explore Château Kirwan, let’s take a moment to appreciate the Margaux appellation. Nestled on the left bank of Bordeaux, the Margaux appellation is a world-renowned name that conjures images of lush vineyards and refined wines. Known for its unique terroir characterized by thin, gravelly soils that offer excellent drainage and a mild climate, Margaux is ideal for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon that dominates its blends. This terroir imparts a delicacy and an aromatic complexity to the wines, setting them apart in the world of Bordeaux.
My exploration of Margaux began with the exquisite Château Palmer 2010 vintage, an experience that was nothing short of revelatory. Château Palmer, like Château Kirwan, was classified as a 3rd Growth estate in the prestigious 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. The wine’s rich bouquet and profound depth showcased the best of what Margaux can offer. This encounter left me enchanted with the region’s wines, eager to delve deeper and discover more.
Table of Contents
1. First Impressions on Château Kirwan
However, despite its historical prestige and favorable location, Château Kirwan had never quite captured my imagination in the same way as Château Palmer. Perhaps it was the estate’s turbulent past or the shadow of its uneven performances that colored my expectations. Yet, recent accolades suggesting a renaissance at Kirwan sparked my curiosity, compelling me to reevaluate the estate with a fresh perspective.
To put it simply, the experience was amazing🤩 Tasting the 2020 vintage of this Bordeaux wine, I was struck by its incredible potential. There was an unmistakable depth and vibrancy that spoke of a wine not just restored to its former glory, but one that had perhaps surpassed it. The balance of structure and aroma, the finesse in its tannins, and the overall complexity were all telltale signs of a wine destined for greatness. We’ll explore this in more detail later.😉
So I decided to secure a piece of this promising future for myself. I purchased an additional eight bottles to cellar, anticipating the pleasure of watching this vintage evolve. The decision was an easy one; it was clear that these bottles were a worthy investment, not just for their potential increase in value, but for the future enjoyment they promised. Moreover, with the optimal drinking window being from 2025 to 2040, I am so excited to see how this wine’s allure will evolve over the next 20 years.🤩
Then let’s discover Kirwan’s rich stories as many French wineries, especially in regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne, boast a long and storied history that adds to their allure and prestige.
2. Rich History of Château Kirwan
Château Kirwan’s story unfolds in the mid-18th century, when it was owned by Sir John Collingwood, a English merchant. Renowned even then for the quality of its wines, which were sold under the name “Chesnelong,” the estate captured the attention of Mark Kirwan, another Irish merchant. After marrying Collingwood’s daughter, Mark took over the property, imbuing it with his own name and vision.
According to Kirwan’s website, the estate has a fascinating backstory of multiculturalism:
MULTICULTURALISM
“Kirwan” has always sounded foreign and has undergone various influences since its inception. In the 18th century, the Cantenac estate was passed from Sir John Collingwood, an early English merchant in Bordeaux, to Irish merchant Mark Kirwan. Kirwan expanded the estate and gave it his name to make the wines more identifiable outside France and facilitate foreign trade.
Under Mark Kirwan’s stewardship, the estate soared in prestige and was particularly lauded for its innovative vineyard management and winemaking practices. By the 18th century, Château Kirwan had gained a reputation that led to its inclusion in the prestigious 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification as a 3rd Growth estate, a significant honor that underscored its high quality during that era.
Despite this esteemed status, Château Kirwan faced challenges by the mid-20th century. Similar to many Margaux estates, it struggled to maintain its status as a classified growth, with wines often criticized as too light, uninspiring, and not reflective of the high grades and prices typically associated with such a renowned classification. This period of lackluster performance persisted until a pivotal change in the mid-1990s.
Under the guidance of the Schÿler family, who acquired the estate in 1925, Château Kirwan underwent substantial renovations and modernizations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. These improvements included state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and a new cellar, which played a crucial role in elevating the quality of its wines.
Since the mid-1990s, Château Kirwan has experienced a dramatic improvement, shaking off its previous underperformance and emerging as a wine that not only matches but occasionally surpasses its historical classification. Today, this wine stands as a testament to the blend of tradition and innovation, consistently producing wines that reflect the unique terroir and heritage of Margaux.
3. Pairing with KFC’s Original Recipe Chicken
It might sound unusual to pair fried chicken with a red Bordeaux wine,😆 but the reason I decided to pair KFC 🍗 with this wine is that I’ve long believed the saying “red wine pairs well with red meat” is just a cliché. Of course, I fully acknowledge that the brioche aromas of Champagne 🍾 🍞 pair excellently with the bready batter of fried chicken, and its bubbles and acidity make it the perfect match for greasy ones.👍🏻 But from my experience, savory and fatty foods often pair wonderfully with wines that have good acidity.
Moreover, KFC’s presence in Korea has dwindled in recent years, with many stores closing down due to the popularity of local Korean fried chicken (or “chimaek,” a combination of chicken and beer 🍺). So, when a new KFC opened near my home recently, I was so thrilled and eager to try this nostalgic treat with a high-quality Bordeaux wine. The result way exceeded my expectations.👏🏻
KFC’s original recipe fried chicken, with its rich juiciness and full of savory flavors with mixed spices, matched with Château Kirwan 2020 from Margaux—a wine celebrated for its acidity, fruitiness, and subtle earthiness—was a delightful contrast. 😍
The acidity in the wine helps to cut through the grease and richness of the chicken, refreshing the palate, while the fruit notes of the wine add an extra layer of flavor that enhances the overall dining experience. This Margaux wine truly stood out with its intricate layers of flavor and remarkable balance. It exhibited hints of black fruit, red berries 🍒, and tobacco spices. On the palate, it was fresh and well-structured, featuring fine tannins and a mineral aftertaste.
The pairing of KFC’s original recipe fried chicken with Château Kirwan 2020 highlights the wine’s versatility. The elegant tannins and fruitiness of the wine beautifully contrast the rich, crispy flavors of the chicken, creating a harmonious and unexpected culinary experience. This pairing shows that fine wines can indeed complement everyday comfort foods, making them accessible and enjoyable in any setting. 👍🏻 So I encourage you to try pairing wines with everyday foods and discover your own special combinations.👏🏻😀
4. Explore More Vintages of Château Kirwan
For those interested in exploring further, the 2023 vintage of this Bordeaux wine is available for pre-sale on ‘wine.com’ at a The 2023 vintage of this wine is available for pre-sale at a potentially lower price than post-release. Please note that it is sold in increments of six and is scheduled for shipment in October 2026. 🙏🏻
Although the shipment is quite late, this vintage has already received better critics’ ratings than the 2020 vintage. This early sales system, common in Bordeaux, known as ‘en primeur’ in French or ‘wine futures sales’ – offers enthusiasts and investors the chance to secure premium wines at a more accessible price before they are officially released.
95 Jeb Dunnuck: Barrel Sample: 93-95
94 James Suckling: Barrel Sample: 93-94
94 Vinous: Barrel Sample: 92-94
**For your information, here’s a breakdown of what it means:
Barrel Sample: The wine is tasted while it is still aging in barrels, not yet bottled.
93-95: The score range assigned by a wine critic or a wine publication. It indicates the potential quality of the wine once it is fully matured and bottled. In this case, the critic believes the wine has the potential to score between 93 and 95 points on a 100-point scale, which denotes an excellent to outstanding quality.
So, “Barrel Sample: 93-95” suggests that the wine is currently a work in progress, but shows great promise according to the critic’s preliminary assessment.