Chateau Durfort-Vivens 2eme Cru Classe Margaux 2009

Description

Château Durfort-Vivens owes its name to the Durfort de Duras, a powerful family in the South West of France that came to Margaux in the 14th century. In 1824, the Viscount of Vivens' name was added to that of Durfort. The 1855 classification ranked Durfort-Vivens as a Second Cru Classé..

Located in the communes of Margaux, Cantenac and Soussans, the Durfort-Vivens vines are planted on hilltops made up of deep, poor gravel. The gravel was deposited by successive riverbeds of the Garonne in the Quaternary period. This magnificent terroir enables an early optimal ripening of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, allowing a full expression of the finesse and silkiness of the tannins, resulting in the freshness and elegance characteristic of a great Margaux. All vineyard work is done by hand at the beginning of the vegetative cycle. Pruning is adapted to the vigour of the vine, with the removal of excess buds, shoots and leaves. This brings richness, concentration and complexity to the grapes. Gonzague Lurton, head of the estate, introduced organic farming and the vineyards are in conversion to Biodynamic since 2009.

Chairman of the Margaux Wine Syndicate, Gonzague said, "Like many of the other vineyards in Bordeaux, the Margaux appellation produced one of those rare wines in 2009 that will go down in legend. Without going back too far, the wonderful vintages of 2000 and 2005 come to mind. And a study of the data shows that such a comparison may well be justified. For all three of these harvests, the ripening process was very similar, particularly after July. On tasting, the wines suggest a compromise between the terrific class of 2000 and the power of 2005: a style of vintage in which the wines of Margaux are incomparable."

Delicious notes of black olives, unsmoked cigar tobacco, black currants and black cherries jump from the glass of this plump, aromatic, silky, medium to full-bodied Margaux. One of the finest Durfort Vivens yet produced, it is filled with purity and elegance. Enjoy it over the next 15-20 years. Drink 2012 - 2032..Robert Parker