2014 Margaux 2ème Cru Classé, Château Durfort-Vivens

• Style: Silky Margaux, fine-grained structure
• Taste: Blackcurrant, plum, blond tobacco, allspice
• Food: Roast beef, braised game, aged cheese, lamb
• Occasion: Gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 16–18°C, now or 10+ years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Deep colour, layered aroma, refined palate. Blackcurrant leaf and spiced plum dominate, with a savoury undertone of blond tobacco that speaks to the gravel soils. The tannins are finely knitted, almost powder-soft, allowing dark fruit and allspice character to shine without roughness. This is structure married to perfume, concentration tempered by refinement—the defining character of Margaux at its most seductive.

The Winery — Château Durfort-Vivens

A second-growth estate on Margaux's gravel ridges, where shallow soils and early ripening allow Cabernet Sauvignon to reach its full aromatic potential. The property takes its name from the Durfort de Duras family, who arrived in Margaux in the 14th century; 'Vivens' was added in 1824 when Viscount Robert Labat de Vivens inherited the 55-hectare vineyard. Owner Gonzague Lurton has led a full conversion to organic and biodynamic certification since 2016, prioritising terroir expression over intervention. The 2014 vintage faced wet spring and summer conditions, but warm September weather delivered fully ripe, healthy fruit. Fermented in wooden vats with each parcel kept separate, then aged 18 months in French oak (half new), the wine carries the house signature: oak integrated, never dominant. A medium bodied red wine that rewards time in the cellar.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Roasted beef, braised game, lamb, and aged hard cheeses are natural partners for Durfort-Vivens' silken texture and savoury depth. Serve at 16–18°C. Drinks beautifully now, yet the structure and refined tannins make this genuinely cellar worthy—expect further complexity over 10+ years. One of the finest examples in our Margaux selection, and a reminder of why France's Left Bank remains the benchmark for Bordeaux blends. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, naturally corked for those who value traditional closure. Perfect for gifting to serious collectors or as a milestone bottle for your own cellar.