CHÂTEAU DURFORT VIVENS
2016 2ème Cru Classé Margaux
| Grapes | Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Sub-district | Haut Médoc |
| Village | Margaux |
| Classification | 2ème Cru Classé |
94% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Merlot. An estate most definitely moving in the right direction as a result of Gonzague Lurton's move to biodynamics. He says the wines have more tension as a result and the 2016 certainly proves this, influenced also by the distinctiveness of the very high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, which must be second only to Margaux itself in the appellation. Dark glossy colour with some lovely bright, nicely moulded Cabernet fruit, lovely weight even if it's not the biggest, but really excelling in purity and freshness, and developing dark spicy flavours to the finish. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 91-93 L&S (Apr 2017)
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The 2016 Durfort Vivens, which I tasted at a négoçiant tasting, is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot, the vineyard now biodynamically farmed and Demeter approved. I have criticized this Margaux on previous occasions due to lack of ripeness, but certainly the nose does not display any of that. This 2016 comes armed with attractive blackberry, bilberry and sous-bois aromas that gradually unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with an insistent grip on the entry. The tannins feel quite bold for Durfort-Vivens, with plenty of sappy black fruit. I appreciate the acidic drive of this Margaux and the finish is energetic, full of tension and leaves a lovely, almost brine-like aftertaste. This is one of the best wines from Gonzalgue Lurton that I have tasted in recent years. Drinking range: 2021 - 2042 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)
Dark purple. Very wild cocktail of aromas. Real lift and freshness. Racy and very distinctive. There is certainly full ripeness but a more delicate touch than most. Good length. Transparency and undertow. A way ahead? Drinking range: 2026 - 2043 Rating: 17.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2017)
This is really superb with beautiful density and ripe tannin texture. Full body and a round and polished texture. Rich and impressive but all in class. Made from biodynamic grapes. Almost all cabernet sauvignon. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2017)
Château Durfort Vivens
The Durfort de Duras family came to Bordeaux in the 14th Century and laid the foundations of today's estate. They also, for a while, owned the near-by Château Lamothe (which went on to become Château Margaux). In 1824 the family sold to a Monsieur de Vivens who added his name to his new property. Under his ownership, Durfort-Vivens was awarded Second Growth status in 1855, a status it has often struggled to live up to. In 1937 the company that owned Château Margaux bought Durfort-Vivens and it was, once again, in common ownership with the villages grandest estate. Indeed, until 1961 when Durfort-Vivens was sold to Lucien Lurton, the wine from Château Durfort Vivens was made at Château Margaux.
The period of Lurton ownership has seen slow steady progress for Durfort-Vivens particularly since Lucien's son Gonzague took over and had a new chai built in the 1990s.
Gonzague decided to take the whole property into organic farming in 2012, and achieved certification in 2016. Following a biodynamic regime, the estate is also certified by Demeter.
AOC appellation : Margaux
Ranking : 2nd Classified Growth in 1855
Surface of the vineyard : 65 hectares of which 55 are vines
Soil : deep gravel from the Quaternary
period (Günz and Mindel) with a sand/clay matrix
Density : 6600 to 8300 vines/hectare
Vats : wooden, concrete vats and terracotta jars with capacities that enable each parcel to be treated separately.
Barrels : Bordeaux type barrels made of French oak from the centre of France. 60 % of new oak
Owner : Gonzague Lurton
Production Manager : Léopold Valentin
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