On the rise and rise, Chateau Troplong-Mondot is increasingly considered a peer amongst the 1er Grand Cru Classe producers and perseveres with its lavish, luscious, strking wine styles. The wine is produced by Christine Valette in collusion with famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland, who has been working with the estate since the 1980s, explaining some of the density and power now found in the wine. This 2010 iteration is 90% Merlot and finishes with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernt Franc. Consider the wine full-flavoured, dense and rich, but with a grace that belies its 15% alcohol

The history of Chateau Kirwan is a long and fascinating one. The 3ème Cru Classé Margaux property began with the marriage of Irish shopkeeper Mark Kirwan and the daughter of the ‘Lord of Lasalle’, Sir John Collingwood, one of the first Bordeaux negociants. One of the estate's early advocates was Thomas Jefferson, ambassador to France and US President. After a lean period in the twentieth century the wines are back to the quality expected of a Third Growth, a harmonious marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Today the fruit is picked and sorted twice then vinified in separate batches corresponding to the individual vineyard parcels. Each parcel is tasted and analysed daily to ensure a custom pumping over regime extracts the ideal combination of flavour and structure from the ferments. On average fermentation and post-ferment maceration lasts for up to 25 days before the wine spends twenty months in 50% new French oak. The resulting wines are a true representation of Margaux, subtly enchanting and reflecting place, process and vintage. 'Kirwan’s wines are not manufactured; they result from an interpretation of factors that starts in the vineyard and is carefully executed as each winemaking step prepares for the next.'