2005 Château Durfort-Vivens
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Durfort-Vivens is definitely one of the superior contributions this decade. It has a dense and intense bouquet with blackberry, mint and loamy scents. Perhaps just a bit charmless? The palate is tannic with dark fruit, a little austere but with an insistent grip and backbone. It is what you might call a "solid" Margaux, punchy yet certainly not nearly as refined as more recent vintages. Tasted at the Durfort-Vivens dinner at Portland restaurant.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc. Aged 22 months in barrel (45% new oak). Deep garnet hue with a touch of brick at the rim. Rich and dense with a solar ripeness. Sweet and full on the palate, the tannins big and bold. Powerful in style, the extraction perhaps pushed a little. More Pauillac than Margaux. Misses some finesse but still has plenty of reserve. (JL)
Deep garnet. Interesting, distinctive spread of flavours with real life in them. (JR)
The 2005 Durfort-Vivens is powerful, earthy and exotic, all at the same time. Rich red fruit, iron, dried herbs, mocha, anise, cedar and pipe tobacco all open in the glass. Durfort-Vivens is a decidedly rustic, burly Margaux in 2005, but it has enough depth and overall stuffing to drink well for another decade or more.