Durfort Vivens 2019

The 2019 Dufort Vivens is a brilliant Margaux, unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackberries, licorice, sweet soil tones, spices and rose petals. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit, rich, powdery tannins and a lively spine of acidity, it concludes with a long and penetrating finish. The blend is dominated by fully 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, which lends the wine immense nobility. Anyone who isn’t aware of just how good Gonzague Lurton’s wines are these days should taste a bottle.

Aromas of fresh blueberries, currants, crushed raspberries, tobacco leaves, lemon zest, cocoa and oyster shells. It’s medium-bodied with fine, precise tannins. Supple and silky with excellent freshness. One third aged in terracotta amphora. 90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Try from 2025.

The 2019 Durfort-Vivens was matured two-thirds in new oak barrels and one-third in amphorae. The plush nose of blueberry and violet scents is very Margaux in style, though much tighter than I was anticipating. The poised palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, and quite delineated toward the the finish, which shows more mineralité than previous vintages and impressive linearity. Excellent.