A Margaux for lunch. Cheers. — 2 months ago
Vintage 2019 | I put this Siran in a tasting for my winesociety mates, but they say it is infanticide, way too young. Closed and tannic, though I gave it a while aeration. After 30 hours aeration it gives much more pleasure and greatness comes through. A glorious bouquet with classic notes, like vanilla, mocca, chocolate, tobacco and red fruit. Refined Margaux taste. I think GCC quality. — 3 months ago
Château La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2022 — Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A classic Left Bank blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon · 30% Merlot · 5% Petit Verdot (estate typically varies slightly by vintage) delivering structure, elegance, and aromatic finesse. Great frame and graphite tension coming from the Cab Sauv., mid-palate polish thanks to Merlot, and liked how Petit Verdot brings subtle spice and color depth. A beautifully traditional, unclassified Margaux that punches above its weight.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, cassis, violet, pencil shavings, cedar, light tobacco, and crushed stone. Fruit stays fresh and pure with delicate floral lift typical of the appellation.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with polished, fine-grained tannins. Dry, linear, and elegant rather than powerful. Balanced acidity keeps everything lifted and graceful with a clean, savory finish.
Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, grilled lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom risotto, lentils, Comté or aged goat cheese. A very food-friendly claret.
Verdict
Proof that Margaux elegance doesn’t require classified growth pricing. Refined, honest, and beautifully composed. Delicious now with air, but easily cellar-worthy for 6–10 years.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of “weekday Bordeaux”, structured yet graceful, polished without heaviness. The sort of bottle that quietly disappears over dinner because everything just clicks.
Did You Know?
La Tour de Bessan is run by Marie-Laure Lurton (of the Lurton family estates) and is known for crafting textbook, terroir-driven Margaux expressions that emphasize finesse over extraction. — 4 months ago
Big and pretty and opened about 10-15 years too early. Second day was a huge improvement from the relatively closed nose on day 1. Can feel a bit of the alcohol on the finish. Modern and very well made - especially great Cab Sav on the finish. — 2 months ago
2022 vintage. Deep dark red colour. Raspberries, flowers and cedar. Concentrated, intense. Combines power and elegance. Many Crus Classés would be very satisfied with this quality for their grand vin. Henri Lurton stated that he made his best wines ever in 2022 (which is saying a lot given the track record of this Château), and you can see why with this Baron de Brane. One can only imagine the quality of the grand vin in 2022! Anyway, this is one of the finest wines one could encounter for 30 euros. Abv. 14%. — 2 months ago
2018 vintage. This was still made under the CA ( Crédit Agricole) ownership. In 2019 the estate, together with La Tour de Mons, was sold to Nathalie Perrodo, who is doing a great job at Labégorce and Marquis d'Alesme. There seems to be historical evidence that the wines of (what was later called) Marsac Séguineau were considered fifth growth quality pre 1855, but it wasn't classified because of the very small production and the fragmentation of the vineyards. The Château was only constructed in 1886. Bordeaux is a fascinating region, not only for wine aficionados, but also for history lovers. In any case, this is already a delicious wine, exhibiting the famous Margaux elegance, without lacking power. Very good value too. I hope to find some recent vintages soon, as I expect the wines to progress under the new ownership. Abv. 14%. — 3 months ago
50% Cab Sauvignon 35% Merlot some Cab Franc and PV
Well integrated tannins, nice rich berry nose and great balance fruit and acidity on the palate. At eight years has still time to mature more but showing it’s there for the long run.
Very nice package overall — 4 months ago
Château Kirwan 2023 – Margaux, Grand Cru Classé. BDX France 🇫🇷
Overview
A poised and expressive Margaux showing immediate charm while clearly structured for further evolution, delivering finesse, persistence, and a notably elongated finish compared to its peers in the flight.
Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, wild strawberry, ripe raspberry, crushed rose petal, subtle vanilla, sweet spice, light cedar, gentle graphite undertones.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, excellent mid-palate energy, lifted acidity, and a long, persistent, and increasingly intense finish that carries well beyond the sip.
Food Pairings
Duck confit, herb-roasted chicken, veal chop with mushroom jus, lamb loin, aged Comté.
Verdict
Head-to-head with Château Prieuré-Lichine in overall quality, but Kirwan separates itself on finish length and persistence. Already surprisingly enjoyable today while still clearly benefiting from additional bottle age.
🍷 Personal Pick
The surprise overachiever of the Margaux flight, already fun now, but patience will unlock its real podium potential. — 4 months ago
Dinner at Ciones — a month ago
An excellent wine, especially once opened up. Good price at $54 — 3 months ago
Blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, deep Ruby color with aromas of red and black fruits with toasty spice. On the palate flavors of black raspberry, currants and black cherry with licorice, toasty oak and tobacco. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and earthy tobacco spice. Drinking well now! — 4 months ago
It’s been a couple years since I last enjoyed the 1996 and based off this experience, it’s continuing to age gracefully.
Double decanted the night before. The wine pours a garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, kirsch, purple flowers, tobacco, dried herbs, green pepper, old wood and gravelly earthy. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and sanguine. So much soul, it could make Marvin Gaye blush. Drink now with patience (and a long decant) through 2041. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 4 months ago
Jen Landon
I liked it a lot — 10 days ago