Château Durfort-Vivens, `Les Plantes` de Durfort-Vivens Margaux 2019

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 practises.

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.