Blend
Château Kirwan
55% Cabernet Sauvignon
33 % Merlot
7 % Cabernet-franc
5 % Petit Verdot
Charmes de Kirwan
55% Cabernet Sauvignon
33 % Merlot
7 % Cabernet-franc
5 % Petit Verdot
Description
The 2016 vintage followed on brilliantly from the amazing 2015, joining the list of great historical vintage pairs such as 1928/29, 1989/90 and 2009/10. A rainy spring gave way to an extremely dry summer as from mid-June with temperatures reaching as high as 36.4°C in August. These drought conditions halted vine vegetation growth, slowing the ripening process, and prefigured a concentrated profile of wine similar to that of the 2000 vintage. In these weather conditions, without a single drop of rain for several weeks, our clay-rich plots, being better able to manage water deficit stress in the vines, played a key role. A rainy spell on 13th September brought some welcome relief. The vines found renewed vigour, which enabled the grapes to complete their ripening in perfect conditions. The harvesting was staggered over almost 4 weeks, taking advantage of the Indian summer to soften the tannins and concentrate the aromas.
