Château Durfort-Vivens 2005

Delivers blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate character on the nose. Full and rich, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Smoky, decadent and wonderful. The best wine from this estate in a long, long time. Best after 2013. 8,330 cases made.

The 2005 Durfort-Vivens is powerful, earthy and exotic, all at the same time. Rich red fruit, iron, dried herbs, mocha, anise, cedar and pipe tobacco all open in the glass. Durfort-Vivens is a decidedly rustic, burly Margaux in 2005, but it has enough depth and overall stuffing to drink well for another decade or more.

A lighter style of Margaux, with a focus on fresh red fruits, this is medium bodied, soft textured, bright, earthy and ready to drink.

Dark ruby purple. Strict, gently dry bouquet, nut wood, dried cherries, animal contours, freshly tanned leather. Firm, demanding palate, fleshy, again showing red cherries in the fruit, muscular and rather rustic. Lots of power, little charm.

Dark ruby-purple. Strict, gently dry bouquet, nut wood, dried cherries, animal contours, freshly tanned leather. Firm, demanding palate, fleshy, again showing red cherries in the fruit, muscular and rather rustic. Lots of power – little charm. 07: showing a very particular bouquet, exotic woods, more fruit than earlier vintages at en primeur tastings. On the palate, powerful, truffle notes, leather, needs time.

Medium-intensity, restrained bouquet with oak, blue berries. Dry, firm, restrained palate with mealy tannins. Dry, astringent finish. 17/20 2014 - 2024

On the lean, austere side, this wine boasts solid tannins. It does have some potential fruit weight and fresh acidity, but it misses the richness in its fruit.