schiller-wine: Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Natalie Schyler - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Picture: Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Natalie Schyler

Château Kirwan is a 3ième Grand Cru Classé producer in the Appellation Margaux that exists since since the late 17th century. We toured Château Kirwan and had a tasting in the new tasting room. We then sat down in the garden and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Owner Natalie Schyler was our host for the tour, tasting and lunch.

Pictures: Welcome

In 2015 Chateau Kirwan completed a renovation of their wine making facilities. They replaced their old stainless steel vats with new, concrete tanks allowing for parcel by parcel vinification.

Château Kirwan: Tour

Château Kirwan is a 3ème Cru Classé property in Margaux. It is owned by the Schÿler family.

The history of Château Kirwan begins with the English merchant Sir John Collingwood, one of the first négociants in history. For nearly a century he reigned over the noble "de Lasalle" land, acquired in 1751 and adjoining the Ganet property.

Pictures: In the Vineyard

Château Kirwan takes its name from the Irishman Mark Kirwan, who became part of the estate's history by marrying one of the daughters of Sir John Collingwood. In 1760 he inherited the estate. He united the "de Lasalle" and Ganet lands. Rather unfortunately, he was guillotined in 1792.

Thomas Jefferson, then Ambassador of the United States in France, visited the Bordeaux vineyards in May 1787. He was not only the future president of the United States, but the greatest emissary of Bordeaux wines. In his travel diary and his book "Jefferson on Wine", he elevated Kirwan wine - then spelled "Quirouen" - to second classified growth, making it much more recognizable on the far shores of the Atlantic.

The heirs of the Kirwan family sold the estate in 1827, in the midst of a severe economic crisis after the upheavals of the Revolution and the First Empire. After a period of instability, the owner of Château Kirwan and mayor of Bordeaux Camille Godard left the estate to the city, which used it for a time as a hotel and reception venue.

Pictures: In the Cellar

In 1925, it became the property of the Schÿler family, whose family trading house had already been distributing the wine for several years. Since 1950, Jean-Henry Schyler invested heavily in the châteaux and brought Châteaux Kirwan back to its former glory. He passed away in November 2016, a few weeks after our visit.

Jean Henri Schyler was in charge of managing the chateau until he passed away, November, 2016 at the age of 85.

Today the châteaux is managed by the next generation Yann, Natalie and Sophie Schyler.

Pictures: At the Residence of Jean-Henry Schyler. He died a few weeks after we were there.

This year, Château Kirwan completed a renovation of the winemaking facilities. Importantly, the old stainless steel tanks were replaced by concrete tanks.

The property is located in the commune of Cantenac and consists of a beautiful 18th century château and 35 hectares of vineyards. The wine is typically a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand-harvested and then fermented in temperature-controlled, concrete tanks. The wine is then matured in oak barriques (30-50% new) for 18 months. It is bottled after a light fining and filtration. Its second wine is called Les Charmes de Kirwan. Château Kirwan produces on average 16,000 cases per year.

Pictures: Sophie Schyler Pouring at the 2016 UGC Tasting in Washington DC and at a Private Dinner with Annette and Christian Schiller and Marlene and Charles Bullfighter Reddoor following the Tasting. See: Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGC) on the 2016 North America Tour - Schiller’s Favorites

Pictures: Sophie Schÿler of Château Kirwan, Annette Schiller of ombiasy PR and WineTours and Chef/ Owner Driss Zahidi of Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia, at Evo Bistro. See: Sophie Schÿler, Owner of Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, for a Wine Pairing Luncheon at Evo Bistro in McLean, with the Wines of RdV and Clemens Busch, USA/ France/ Germany

Château Kirwan: Tasting

2012 Château Kirwan

wine-searcher average price in US$: 50

From the Schroder and Schyler family, the 2012 Kirwan is dense ruby/purple and exhibits notes of cassis, licorice and a touch of toasty oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, tightly knit, but very promising Margaux. Concentrated, long and rich, this wine is still playing it close to the vest. It should be at its best in another 5-7 years and last at least two decades. 90+ points. Robert Parker. Wine Advocate April 2015.

1996 Château Kirwan

wine-searcher average price in US$: 104

Readers should note that this property has significantly improved the quality of its wines, and now deserves a serious look in nearly every vintage. The 1996 Kirwan is a highly-extracted, rich, medium-bodied wine with a deep ruby/purple color, and ripe cassis fruit intermixed with a touch of new oak, prunes, and spice. The wine has come together nicely since I first tasted it from cask. It appears to be an excellent, nearly outstanding effort. There is moderate tannin in the finish, so give this beefy, rich, muscular wine 6-7 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. (4/1999) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Pictures: Tasting with Natalie Schyler

Château Kirwan: Lunch

Following the tour and tasting we sat down for a lovely lunch with Natalie Schyler.