Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux 2022 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé BIO

We make no secret of our admiration for the work carried out at this Margaux estate over the past decade. Masterfully led by Gonzague Lurton and his brilliant teams, Durfort is undoubtedly the cru that has made the most spectacular progress in recent vintages, showcasing viticulture that dazzles with its mastery and pragmatism—a blend of innovation, science, and farmer’s common sense. On the 55 hectares of deep, nutrient-poor gravel soils, grapes cultivated using biodynamic methods and intelligent winemaking have produced wines of incomparable complexity that truly express their terroir, offering rare textural nuances and great refinement. The wine consistently ranks among the top three in the appellation.

A lovely freshness and great aromatic complexity on the nose, with notes of herbs, spices, and flowers, a slight bitterness, and plenty of freshness. Juicy and lively, it immediately offers plenty of brilliance and vibrancy. The energy is remarkable: the wine is slender and crisp, pure and precise, very seductive, both pleasant and joyful, with a hint of salinity in the background. Almost delicate, with perfectly integrated tannins that provide a gentle drive from start to finish. A truly compelling and easy-to-drink wine, immediately approachable, with multiple layers of freshness and particularly remarkable acidity. Less dense or full-bodied than some other wines, but it more than makes up for it with its liveliness, energy, and a very pleasant minerality. A masterfully crafted wine that truly shines. 2028–2049

“The château owes its name to the Durfort de Duras family, a powerful family from the Southwest who settled in Margaux in the 14th century; in 1824, the Viscount de Vivens added his own name. Owned by the Lurton family since 1937, Gonzague took over the estate in 1992 and modernized its operations. Located in the communes of Margaux, Cantenac, and Soussans, the Durfort-Vivens vineyard benefits from a terroir of deep gravel ridges that are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Gonzague Lurton manages this estate with conviction and has transformed it from top to bottom in recent years. Certified organic and biodynamic, the 65-hectare estate now produces wines of remarkable finesse, among the most vibrant in the appellation. In addition to its flagship wine, it offers a range of single-vineyard cuvées and combines aging in oak barrels and amphorae. The most recent vintages are exceptionally well-developed, and a second star is within reach.

Durfort-Vivens 2022 is an intoxicating and explosive wine. Full-bodied and creamy, this 2022 vintage is simply impressive. The blend consists of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, with a slightly higher proportion of Merlot than usual. This seems to have added body to the mid-palate, bringing a juiciness that perfectly complements the wine’s underlying structure. Notes of intense black fruit (reminiscent of ink), new leather, menthol, licorice, and lavender lead to a finish that is both opulent and robust. The wine was aged for 16 months, 70% in new oak barrels and 30% in amphorae. 2032–2052.

Rich yet very refined and highly complex, it displays perfect maturity, a hallmark of finesse and aromatic richness. It reveals hints of paprika, mineral notes, cocoa powder, and cigar box, intertwined with aromas of red currant and berries. Intense and fragrant, it features fine, powdery tannins and a long, tightly structured finish. Let it age for another 3 years, and it will reveal its full brilliance. Best enjoyed starting in 2028.

A hint of Chinese lacquer on the initial nose, followed by a deep, enveloping bouquet blending black licorice, flowers, earth, slate, and ink—and, of course, black fruits that reappear on the palate with brilliance, striking and vibrant, carried by a mouth-watering freshness. A distinguished, aristocratic wine. 2030–2053

Durfort-Vivens is no longer just a promising wine; in just a few years, it has become a classic among Margaux’s top wines. Thanks to meticulous care and passion, this 2022 vintage is once again a prime example of pure fruit. The bouquet offers floral notes intertwined with sweet cherry. The attack is full-bodied and supple—it’s tactile, as is often the case with wines from this part of Margaux. The tannins coat the palate, with notes of milk chocolate complementing the dark fruit. The finish is briny and still delicately chocolatey. It promises immense aging potential. Hats off.

Ruby color. A fragrant and well-defined nose of blackberry, anise, black fruits, and licorice. Beautiful freshness, ripe tannins, black fruits, blackberries; complex and layered, juicy, deep, rich, and energetic, with a long finish. The best Durfort-Vivens ever produced. The estate is currently in remarkable form, and the wine is gaining complexity and expression in an impressive way as it ages in the bottle.