DURFORT VIVENS [MARGAUX] 2020 750ML

In this wine, the tannins are velvety, with black fruits that are immensely concentrated. The texture and powerful tannins provide superb foils for the fruit. Organic and biodynamic.

Aromas of blackberries, black olives, lead pencil and blueberries. Full-bodied with very velvety tannins. It’s big and rich for Margaux, but then it tightens at the finish. It will come around with bottle age. One for the cellar. 88% cabernet sauvignon and 12% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes.

The 2020 Durfort Vivens has turned out beautifully, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark cherries and berries mingled with hints of licorice, baking chocolate and mint. Medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, it's layered and concentrated, with lively acids and broad structural shoulders, its generous endowment of powdery tannin asserting itself on the youthfully firm finish. More tightly wound than the extroverted, charming 2019, the 2020 will demand patience, but it's a very strong performance for this estate.

This has some pretty big tannins, sinewy and muscular, with the floral side of Cabernet on full display. Majors on savoury fruits, tobacco leaf and rosemary spices. A wine that shows a classically balanced Margaux, not an exuberant one. Takes its time, and as it opens up a sweeter raspberry puree appears showing texture and depth with slate minerality on the finish. This is serious and a little closed right now. 30% aged in amphoras (jarres) and 70% in new oak for 18 months ageing.

The 2020 Durfort-Vivens is aged in two-thirds new barrel and one-third amphora. It has a fresh and lively bouquet, black cherries intermixed with veins of blue fruit, very pure and oddly Burgundy-like. The oak is nicely integrated. The palate is well balanced with grainy tannins, quite strict and saline, lightly spiced and then easing down with a pliant, graphite-tinged, almost Pauillac-like finish. Give this 4-6 years in bottle. -Neal Martin