Château Durfort-Vivens 2022

A bouquet that gives you goosebumps right away is still rare in 2022; multi-layered, spicy, floral, with dark fruit and a palate that is second to none; dense, compact, full of power and energy, sensational tannins, great length. Stunningly beautiful and better than when I tasted it En Primeur.

The 2022 Durfort Vivens offers up aromas of sweet crème de cassis, violets, boot polish, creamy new oak and hints of saddle leather and cigar ash. Medium to full-bodied, layered and creamy, with a rich core of fruit, sweet powdery tannins and a long, lactic finish, it has turned out nicely but isn't quite as precise as the exceptional 2019 and 2020 duo.

Dried herbs, tinderbox, graphite, red cherries and sweet strawberries on the nose. Utterly compelling on the palate—a push of juicy, yet also filling and fleshy red berry fruit is offset by bright acidity, making this instantly lively. But it’s the grippy, mineral texture to the tannins and the controlled power running from start to finish that’s so alluring. It’s still relatively compact and a bit shy, but it feels purposefully and well made.

The 2022 Durfort-Vivens is a heady, explosive wine. Ample and creamy, the 2022 is seriously impressive. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, a bit more Merlot than normal. That seems to have filled out the mid-palate, adding a level of juiciness that is quite complementary to the wine's underlying structure. Inky dark fruit, new leather, menthol, licorice and lavender build into a finish that is both opulent and virile. Ageing was 16 months, 70% in new oak and 30% in amphora.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Fresh plums, ripe blackberries, a touch of liquorice, candied orange zest. Medium complexity, red-berry nuances, subtle fruit expression, firm tannins, a delicate finish with some length. Will benefit from a few more years of ageing.

Inky, plenty of depth, a gorgeous Durfort Vivens, full of tension and personality, waves of peonies, roses, cassis, rising through a frame marked by black spices, dark cocoa bean and slate, graphite and crayon. 70% new oak, 30% amphoras, Gonzague Lurton owner

A hint of Chinese lacquer on the first nose, followed by a deep, enveloping bouquet where black licorice, flowers, earth, slate and ink mingle and, of course, dark fruit that returns on the palate with brilliance—crisp, vibrant and driven by a mouthwatering freshness. A racy, aristocratic wine.

The nose is elegant, precise, peppery, deep, and offers good definition as well as accuracy. It reveals notes of fleshy wild blackcurrant, violet and, more subtly, wild strawberry, along with discreet hints of Tonka bean and roasted hazelnut, as well as almost elegant roasted-cherry nuances. The palate is finely crafted, supple, fresh, elegant, and offers brightness and shine. Lovely purity and definition. On the palate, this wine delivers notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, fleshy black cherry and, more subtly, crushed red berries, with touches of sweet tobacco, vanilla, toasted almond, a hint of almost toasted hazelnut, and a hint of infusion. Long finish. A subtle saline touch.

A seriously impressive wine, it starts with ripe tannins and licorice aromas. This is packed with concentrated black fruit and beautiful acidity. The wine has a great future. Drink from 2028. Organic and biodynamic.