Château Durfort-Vivens, `Le Hameau` de Durfort-Vivens Margaux
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | CM509B20 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Château Durfort-Vivens is a Second Growth, 55-hectare estate that is widely regarded to be one of the finest producers in Margaux. It is currently owned and managed by Gonzague Lurton, who, together with his wife Claire, is known for his early commitment to organic and biodynamic vineyard practices.
The estate’s vineyards are in four villages within the Margaux appellation, Cantenac, Soussans, Margaux, and Arsac, planted with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc on deep gravel soils. Gonzague converted 20% of the vineyards to biodynamic viticulture in 2009. Pleased with the results, he increased this to 40% the following year before embarking on full conversion in 2013. The vineyards of Château Durfort-Vivens have been certified both organic and biodynamic since the 2016 vintage.
Gonzague works with Technical Director Léopold Valentin and Cellar Master Jean-Jacques Hurteaud in the winery. Together, they have modernised the cellars, which now boast one of the largest amphorae collections in the world. The Grand Vin, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, is vinified in a combination of oak and concrete vats. It is then aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak barriques. The result is a benchmark Margaux: rich and powerful yet staggeringly elegant.
Gonzague replaced the second wine ‘Vivens’ with the three ‘Les Parcellaires’ wines from the 2019 vintage, seeking to highlight the subtle differences of each parcel.
‘Les Plantes de Durfort-Vivens’ is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, sourced from younger vines within the estates and aged for 16 months in a combination of clay amphorae (80%) and French oak barrels (20%). The final wine is defined by its remarkable freshness and marries aromas of ripe black fruits with a subtle spiciness.
‘Le Plateau de Durfort-Vivens’ is a step up in intensity and is designed to represent power. It is made from 65% Cabernet and 35% Merlot sourced from 25-year-old vines, grown on deep sandy gravel soils and aged for 16 months in a combination of 66% in clay amphorae and 33% in French oak (10% new). As a result, the final wine is defined by its brooding black fruit character, complemented by excellent grip on the finish.
Finally, ‘Le Hameau de Durfort-Vivens’ embodies elegance. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot, aged in amphorae and oak barrels (with 15% new oak), it has a beautifully scented nose alongside bright notes of blackberry and crunchy plum fruit, velvety tannins, and vibrant acidity on the palate.
Vineyards
Fruit for the ‘Le Hameau’ comes from a parcel located near the small hamlet of Cantenac to the south of the Margaux appellation. The vines are planted on deep gravel soils which were deposited by successive riverbeds of the Garonne in the Quaternary period. This magnificent terroir allows the grapes to reach optimum levels of ripeness. All vineyard work is done by hand and pruning is adapted to the vigour of the vine, with the removal of excess buds, shoots and leaves to control yields, bringing added concentration and complexity to the wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines are between 20 to 25 years old and are certified both organic and biodynamic.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage began with a mild winter that encouraged early budburst. Spring brought alternating rainfall, followed by drought conditions through the summer, shaping the character of the season. Warm, settled weather in September allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while maintaining freshness and balance. In Margaux, these favourable conditions resulted in a classic, harmonious vintage, combining ripeness, vibrancy, and precision.
Vinification
Upon arrival at the winery, the hand-harvested Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes were destemmed and underwent a rigorous sorting by individual berry. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with indigenous yeasts and minimum intervention. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 16 months, 85% in clay amphorae, the remaining 15% in new oak barrels.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Deep ruby in colour. On the nose aromas of perfumed blackberry fruit are married with a subtle spiciness. Velvety tannins coat the palate and a bright acidity carries the flavours onto the scented finish. 'Le Hameau' is a wine defined by elegance.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Acidity
5.4 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.3 g/l
pH
3.72
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Château Durfort-Vivens | Margaux 2ème Cru Classé | CM504 | R | Factsheet | |
| `Les Plantes` de Durfort-Vivens Margaux | CM507 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Le Plateau` de Durfort-Vivens Margaux | CM508 | R |