Chateau Durfort Vivens 2021

Vinum: "Superbe, betörende Aromatik von Blüten und Beeren, mineralische Noten; entwickelt gemächlich unerhörte Tiefe, dank der schieren Klasse der mineralisch-seidigen ungemein feinkörnigen Gerbstoffe, der immensen Dichte und ewigen Länge; der reine Ausdruck von Beere und Terroir - herrlich."

Wine Enthusiast: "95–97. Barrel Sample. Almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is seriously structured. Its fine berry flavors favor black currants with a firm backdrop of texture. It will be such a stylish, classical wine as it matures."

Suckling: "A very focused red, showing blackberry, blueberry and currant aromas and flavors, together with bark. It’s full and layered with lots of fine tannins that give this wine a velvety texture. 97% cabernet sauvignon and 3% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification."

Galloni: "The 2021 Durfort-Vivens offers a compelling mix of Cabernet aromatics and notable textural richness. There's tremendous weight, depth and intensity here. Blueberry, lavender, sage, mint and tobacco come together in this potent, deeply structured Cabernet. Inky red fruit, blood orange, mint and exotic spice linger on the substantial finish. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare, which is about average, and certainly far better than other vintages where mildew has been a threat, most notably 2018. This is a strong showing from Gonzague Lurton. I should note that Lurton also made his new parcellaire wines, but those aren't shown or sold en primeur, hence their exclusion in this report."

Weinwisser: "97 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 % Merlot, 35 hl/ha. Verspieltes Bouquet, betörender Iris-Duft, blaubeerige Konturen, Lakritze und erkalteter Waldfrüchtetee. Am feingliedrigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, körnigem Extrakt, stützender Mineralik, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, packt herzhaft mit athletischem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale rote Pflaumen, Alpenheidelbeere und dunkles körniges Graphit wie feine Magnesiumperlen. Sehr klassisch ausgerichtet und mit gutem Lagerpotential ausgestattet."

Decanter: "Bright red berries on the nose - strawberry and raspberry, softly fragrant with rose petal, violets and dark chocolate scents. Succulent and really delicately juicy with the perfume surrounding the berries on the palate with a soft chalky, minerality coming through from the acidity. Lovely balance, this is fresh and so alive but also deeply flavoured, with the Cabernet (97% of the blend) mint markers in abundance. Delicious and vibrant, still with a youthful energy and a precise tannic structure giving the frame. You can tell they got maturity, but have also achieved perfect extraction giving just the right weight without bitterness or any harsh tannins - and an exceptional length giving an abundance of freshness. Total Margaux glamour on show in a vintage where it was harder to find than usual. A surefire must buy! 30th vintage by Gonzague Lurton."

Wine Advocate: "Containing fully 97% Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the 2021 Durfort Vivens shows considerable promise, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's velvety and impressively concentrated, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a long, penetrating finish. Tasted twice."

Falstaff: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Dunkle Waldbeeren, ein Hauch von frischen Brombeeren, Cassis, schwarze Kirschen, etwas süße Gewürze, floral, zart nach Nougat. Mittlere Komplexität, rotbeerig, frisch strukturiert, feine, reife Tannine, zitroniger Touch im Abgang, mineralisch und anhaftend, ein lebendiger, rassiger Speisenbegleiter, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

Neal Martin: "The 2021 Durfort-Vivens, picked from September 24 until October 18, the latest ever, also contains the highest amount of Cabernet ever, at 97%. Gonzague Lurton told me that biodynamie has nudged the blend naturally toward the variety. Matured in 30% amphorae and 70% new oak, it presents a well-defined nose of perfumed pressed iris flower filtering through the lattice of black fruit, touches of peony emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, and like the Ferrière, almost Pauillac-like albeit, leading to an elegant and quite understated finish."

Wine Cellar Insider: "Red currants and cassis with a touch of flowers are in the nose. Medium-bodied, bright, fresh, and juicy, there is a crispness to the red berries on the crunchy palate. The wine is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, representing the highest percentage of Cabernet ever placed in the blend in the history of the property. 12.9% ABV. Drink from 2024-2039."