(NM93-95 points) In June 2001: rich liquorice, cassis and kirsch nose. Rich and opulent on the palate with lush blackberry. More structured than Giscours, very expressive with superb depth. Best Kirwan ever? Then at the UGC in November 2002: this continues to impress. Plummy raisin nose. Very elegant and classy. Concentrated, silky palate with well-knit tannins. Feminine, lithe with cassis fruit dominating the rich and velvety wine. Best Kirwan to date. On song in November 2004. Like Giscours, this Margaux excelled itself in 2000. An attractive, minerally nose. Blackberry with a little iodine and black truffle. Excellent definition. Good concentration on the palate and good acidity that cuts through layers of pure black fruit. Feminine and graceful. Has the structure and balance to merit long-term cellaring. Drink from 2010 to 2020.

The renaissance of Kirwan, with the consultancy of Michel Rolland, continues with this ripe, forward, concentrated wine. The tannins are sweet and soft, with a solid, chunky structure that promises a long life. The finish displays balanced new wood flavors and a smooth polish.

The 2000 Château Kirwan is fully mature and drinking nicely, yet certainly has plenty of life ahead of it. Lots of classic darker currant fruits as well as cedar pencil, green tobacco, spice, and chocolate all emerge from the glass, and it's a rich, powerful, mouth-filling Margaux that has ripe tannins, good overall balance, and outstanding length. It has another decade of prime drinking and, I suspect, a gradual decline after that.