Charmes de kirwan
Les Charmes de Kirwan is the second wine of the property, launched in 1993. It is the main wine’s “little brother” and is generally made from the fruit of the youngest vines and parcels of the vineyard that are less gravelly, but sandier. The wine is made highlighting its fruit and maximising suppleness. It can therefore be enjoyed younger.
Vintage 2019
L'élégance gourmande
Blending: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
This Vintage 2019 Charmes de Kirwan does justice to its name. Bottled in June of 2020, it has already begun to reveal an irresistible, gourmand charm. The 2019 plentiful harvest provided a beautiful selection of varietals for this blend. The result? A fruity wine dazzling with red berries and roses, including the elegance of soft spicy notes—cinnamon, vanilla, toasted nuts and even buttered brioche. With just a trace of tannins, this wine is thoroughly round and silky, each sip caressing the palate. No need to wait several years to enjoy, this delicious 2019 Charmes de Kirwan is ready to enchant your taste buds.
Vintage 2018
L'élégance gourmande
Blending: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 56% Merlot
Bottled since June 2020, this wine shows a lovely dark ruby color and hints of very ripe fruit, plum, black cherry and blackberry on the nose. The wine is quite lively, with a nice acidity which balances the high alcoholic level of 14,1%, never reached before for Charmes de Kirwan. This wine is very concentrated, with a medium density and a tight tannic texture in spite of the majority of merlot. Concentration is a key character of the 2018 vintage, differences between cabernet /merlot less significant. The palate is firm, the finale is long, carried by fine tannins and delicate spicy notes. Charmes de Kirwan 2018 is definitely a wine with great aging potential, requiring time to reach its peak maturity.
Vintage 2017
L'élégance gourmande
Blending: 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 57% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
The lovely garnet red color shows that the wine is still young, with no sign of maturity. The nose is complex, a mix of ripe fruit with fine woody and vanilla notes. With a fresh and gentle attack, the palate is round, ample and juicy and displays some quite ripe red and black berries, complimented by pepper hints; subtle and fine-grained tannins creating round length. The most eager enthusiasts can enjoy this wine today, but keep in mind that it will improve for the next decade.
Vintage 2016
L'élégance gourmande
Blending: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
The wine shows a beautiful garnet color and a quite open and expressive nose, with an intense dominant fruity character (cherry, blackcurrant, pepper, cinnamon), and smoky notes. The attack on the palate is round and smoothy as well as fresh, carried by a nice acidity. Fine tannins gradually develop on the palate, bringing some persistence. Vanilla and aging hints compliment the bouquet. Ultimately, Charmes de Kirwan 2016 is an impressive vintage for its fruit, freshness and complexity, ready to please young wine aficionados.
Vintage 2015
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot
Tasting :
Bottled after maturing for 18 months, it already bodes quite well. Its hue is a rich deep red with violet highlights, typical of young wines from great vintages. An intense nose blends notes of cherry and blackberry with subtle hints of chocolate. It is ample and unctuous in the mouth, with a distinct fleshy character. Understated tannins prolong the tasting experience while lending softness to the wine. Thanks to its mature aromas and velvety texture, this wine is already ripe for tasting, although its concentration ensures that it will age well for many years to come. See for yourself.
Vintage 2014
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot
Tasting :
A deep ruby colour, almost as black as the grapes it comes from such that first impressions are of blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry. On the palate, this wonderful basket of ripe fruit combines with a delicate oaky note for added complexity. The wine is round, full and fresh in the mouth, supported by a lovely tannic structure that makes for enchanting spicy notes in the finale.
Vintage 2013
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 46 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 10 % Petit Verdot, 6 % Cabernet Franc
Tasting :
With its brilliant ruby red color and fresh, fruity nose, Charmes de Kirwan 2013 offers notes of Morello cherry, raspberry and ripe strawberry. The wine displays a soft, slightly mentholated taste, gliding harmoniously over the palate and offering a pleasant sensation of freshness. A delicate Charmes de Kirwan ready to be enjoyed.
Vintage 2012
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 27 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 53% Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
Tasting :
It displays a brilliant ruby red colour. Its nose offers elegant notes of black and red fruits such as cherry and red and black currant. Delicate woody notes round out the palette of aromas. A fresh and lively quality immediately enchants the taste buds, while quickly giving way to sweeter sensations with a pleasant roundness. Creamy notes add a touch of extra roundness to the wine and the tasting finishes with lovely spice scents. This wine is bountiful, gourmand, and will be delicious as of 2015.
Vintage 2011
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 46 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 10 % Petit Verdot, 6 % Cabernet Franc
Tasting :
The robe is a beautiful bright and brilliant red. The nose delivers an intense, fruity blend of cherry and cassis. It is supple and fleshy on the palate, surprisingly round for such a young wine. A pleasant sweetness accompanies soft and smooth tannins.
A fine woody, vanilla and spicy note characterizes the finale, rounding out the fruity notes. This is a wonderfully indulgent wine to be enjoyed without delay.
Vintage 2010
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 23 % Cabernet Franc, 12 % Petit Verdot
Tasting :
This Charmes de Kirwan is remarkable for its roundness and fleshy juice. The nose is incredible fruity, with lovely notes of blackcurrant and blackberry topped off by fine aromas of pepper. This wine shows exquisite freshness that is highlighted by a pleasant acidity that offers a perfect balance to the impression of roundness in the mouth. For the finale, the aromatic palate is complemented by a delicate and barely perceptible woodiness. This wine will offer freshness and indulgence for the next 10 years.
Vintage 2009
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 34 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 53 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 10 % Petit Verdot
Tasting :
A magnificent dark red color with no trace of evolution. The exceptionally ripe black fruit still stands out in the nose: black currant, blackberry, cherry. A few graceful notes of spice appear, such as vanilla and cinnamon.
After a fresh attack, the wine becomes perfectly round, ample and full-bodied as it evolves in the mouth. Fruit dominates, and a barely perceptible woody note rounds out the richness of the aromas.
The finale is long and aromatic. Once again there is the hint of sweet spices, and no tannins disturb this smooth sensuality. This wine is already delightful to taste, even though it will continue to grow finer over the next ten years.
Vintage 2008
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot
Tasting :
With its deep red color and a fruity floral nose that hints of cherries, Charmes de Kirwan 2008 displays a straightforward first taste with round tannins, a pleasant and balanced mouth, and a fresh and aromatic finish.
Vintage 2007
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 42 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 33 % Merlot, 18 % Cabernet Franc, 7 % Petit Verdot
Tasting :
This Charmes 207 is already showing well.
Lively colour, delicate and fruity on the nose with cherry and pink berries. On the palate, it displays roundness and a supple texture brought by the merlot and cabernet franc.
It goes on delicate oaky notes completing the fruit aromas, and ends on something fresh and soft. A greedy wine ready to enjoy.
Vintage 2006
L'élégance gourmande
Blending : 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Tasting :
Through this very classic vintage, the wine shows a real freshness. On the nose, soft spices like vanilla or cinnamon are smelling out, as well as more intense ones like black and or pink berry peppers On the palate, the attack is firstly soft, then turning into something more energic and fresh, eminding us that it is still a young guy ! The finish reveals nice cacao feva notes ideally completing its aromatic range. 1 or 2 more years in cellar should bring all the charm deserved.