Château Durfort-Vivens 2023

This has very fresh, lively and almost al-dente fruit. It’s mouthwatering and juicy. Medium-to full-bodied, refined and seamless. Long, with a firm backbone of tannins that are very fine and polished. Crunchy and structured. Chewy at the end. 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.

92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot. Superb intensity and freshness on the nose, with a lovely combination of eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, blackcurrant and cherry notes. On the palate, the wine embodies the finesse and detail that Gonzague Lurton and his teams so clearly focus on. A wine of great finesse, characterised by its sapidity, salivation and persistence. What a great success and what a feat to produce such a wine in the complicated vintage of 2023. Hats off to you! 2028-2048

The 2023 Durfort Vivens is once again dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which represents 92% of the blend. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of minty cassis, plums and berries mingled with hints of pencil shavings and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with good concentration, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. With a pH of 3.66 and 13.7% alcohol, it's a resounding success. William Kelley

Upon lifting the glass, one is immediately greeted by the fragrance of floral fruit tea, which, upon a moment’s patience, gives way to the ancient, clean scent of an inkstone, evoking the image of a scholar sipping tea and composing poetry in a bamboo grove—utterly content. Compared to previous years, the tannins of the 2023 vintage are notably firmer, feeling in the mouth as if a piece of black ink is slowly dissolving, carrying a bit of severity. Although the Cabernet Sauvignon composition is as high as 92%, it is laden with baskets of berry notes, and its sweet finish beautifully softens the strength of the tannins, quite interesting.