Profile of Château Kirwan
Château Kirwan, like so many of the great properties in the Margaux appellation in Médoc, Bordeaux, has known some good and not-so-good times. Its original name was Domaine de Lassalle. In the eighteenth century, it was brought by John Collingwood, a particularly enterprising local merchant. His daughter married the dashing Irish merchant Mark Kirwan, and so the name Château Kirwan was born. Indeed, Kirwan is known as one of the Irish wine geese estates and Irish wine lovers regularly make a pilgrimage here. The former US President Thomas Jefferson even paid a visit to the property in the 18th century – he was reportedly very impressed with the wines!
However, this golden era was sadly not to last. The estate received its fair share of hardships before emerging triumphant in the late 20th century. The Château was seized in 1789 during the French revolution, although Mark subsequently regained control under Napoleons’ rule. Then came the economic depression of the early 20th century which hit the property’s fortunes hard. Phylloxera, the louse which destroys the roots of vines, had also arrived – not to mention the 1st World War. By now the estate was due some good fortune. Enter the Schyler family.
The Schylers are a well-established family of wine merchants who brought the Château in 1925, principally as a country residence. And a very beautiful property is it too, appreciated also for its gardens. Over the years, they have carefully restored the wine estate and vineyards to its former glory. Château Kirwan now produces some of the most powerful, elegant, and rich wine in Margaux. The estate enjoys a privileged position in the town; nestled amongst the trees with a fairy tale façade and beautiful banqueting rooms. Visitors always receive a warm welcome! Margaux produces some of the most famous and elegant red wines in the world, its Châteaux simply are a must to visit for any wine lover and for our VIP clients we can organize unforgettable experiences here at Kirwan such as helicopter tours over the vines!
Wines produced
-
Château Kirwan (Grand Vin)
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, 18 months in new French oak (40%).
-
Les Charmes de Kirwan (second wine of the property)
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot. 35% of the harvest is bottled as the second wine. Less concentration and power than the first wine.
Winery details
- Appellation
- AOC Margaux / Third Growth
- Founded
- 1710
- Area under vine
- 35 ha
- Age of vines
- 27 years+
- Oak barrel origin
- French
- Winemaker
- Philippe Delfaut
- Owner
- Schyler family
- Production
- 16000 cases
- Grape varietals
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot