Château Durfort-Vivens 2015, Second Growth Margaux
Deep rubied it is with a light pink rim. Many years to go, but for its Margaux personality, Château Durfort-Vivens 2015 of Second Growth Margaux still satisfying to taste. Closed at first; ripe blackcurrant/strawberry fruit filled with scents of the forest, damp earth and pencil lead then surfaced. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and fresh with light black fruit laced with tobacco, although I would have liked more depth on the finish. The 55-hectare vineyard of Durfort Vivens is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. ABV is merly 13.5%.
There used to be a nose of the leaf mostly like from the pin of Cabernet Franc with this wine before 1961, which was owned by Chateau Margaux. Since then the style changed a riper and real form at the helm of the Lurtons. For a young Dufort-Viviens such as 2015, decanting for an average of 1 hours which allows the wine to blossom and open its perfume should be fine. We keep this wine since its En Premier Release.
English writers always like this wine and particularly this vintage. For example, Jancis Robbinson admires the ripeness and subtlety, which and makes it one of the most of Margaux's fragrance and gentle texture. Decanter says it is ripe and classic. Stephen Spurrier says it has a great future.
Thomas Jefferson, when he was the American ambassador to France, ranked it directly after Lafite, Latour and Margaux in his travel diaries.
Serious tasters with a palate for true Margaux should like this wine. High scores: WE97, JS96.
97 points Wine Enthusiast
Blossoms quickly with its delicious fruit and penetrating acidity. Fine tannins sustain this black-currant and berry fruit along with the intricate texture and structure. Produced from biodynamic grapes, the wine has great potential. Drink from 2026. *Cellar Selection* (RV) (2/2018)
96 points James Suckling
This is the most excellent wine ever made here. Incredible depth of fruit and power yet always polished and in reserve. Super depth of fruit. Layered. Amazing. Made from biodynamically-grown grapes. (3/2018)