Durfort Vivens

History of Château Durfort-Vivens

The history of Château Durfort-Vivens begins in the 14th century when the Durfort de Duras family, descended from a powerful lineage in southwestern France, settled in Margaux and established a hunting lodge on their lands. It wasn't until the 17th century that the hunting lodge became a fully-fledged wine estate. However, the real turning point came in 1758 when the château was sold to George Ainslie, a Scottish wine merchant. He made the estate prosper and, through marriage to the Vivens family, his name was added to that of Durfort in 1824, thus marking the birth of Château Durfort-Vivens.

The château gained increasing recognition, culminating in 1855 when it was classified as a 2nd Grand Cru during the famous Bordeaux wine classification, initiated for the Paris Universal Exhibition. Despite a few more difficult decades, the property has always remained at the heart of the Bordeaux wine elite.

In 1937, the Lurton family, an influential dynasty of Bordeaux winemakers, acquired the estate. Lucien Lurton, a great defender of Bordeaux terroir, took over the château in 1961 and strove to modernise production while preserving the unique character of its wines. His son Gonzague Lurton succeeded him in 1992, with the ambition of making Durfort-Vivens a model of sustainable agriculture by introducing biodynamic farming in 2009. This visionary approach was crowned with success in 2016 with Organic and Biodynamic certifications, making Château Durfort-Vivens the first Grand Cru Classé in Margaux to obtain these double certifications.

Château Durfort-Vivens received a 96/100 rating from Robert Parker for its 2019 vintage, a recognition that underlines the elegance and complexity of this Margaux classified growth.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Durfort-Vivens

The Château Durfort-Vivens vineyard extends over approximately 65 hectares, spread across the Médoc communes of Cantenac, Soussans, Margaux and Arsac, in the heart of the Margaux appellation, on the left bank. This exceptional terroir is composed of deep gravel, a type of soil made up of pebbles and sand deposited by rivers over millennia. These gravels are distributed over three distinct geological terraces, forming a true mosaic of terroirs, rich in diversity.

These stony soils allow for excellent drainage, forcing the vines to plunge their roots deep to feed, which contributes to the complexity and finesse of the wines produced. The estate also distinguishes itself through an innovative approach to precision viticulture, with detailed analysis of soils and their microbiology, as well as practices such as intra-plot sowing and preservation of the Médoc plant heritage.

The grape varieties at Château Durfort-Vivens are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), complemented by Merlot (8%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). A small part of the vineyard is also planted with Muscadelle and Castets, rarer grape varieties that add a unique note to certain cuvées. The vines are old, with an average age of 50 years, which enhances the complexity and intensity of the wines produced.

Winemaking at Château Durfort-Vivens

At Château Durfort-Vivens, winemaking is a rigorous and precise art, which aims to respect the expression of the terroir as much as possible. After entirely manual harvesting, the grapes are carefully sorted and vinified by plot, in order to preserve the unique characteristics of each terroir.

The fermentation process takes place in a combination of concrete tanks, wooden vats and, more recently, clay amphorae. The use of amphorae, which began in 2017, is an innovation that allows for controlled oxygenation of the wine, thus promoting the pure expression of fruit and terroir without the more marked influences of wood. This practice is particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up the majority of the château's cuvées.

After fermentation, the wines are aged for about 18 months in a combination of French oak barrels (with a renewal of about 40% new wood each year) and clay amphorae. This double ageing allows for a perfect balance between structure, finesse and aromatic expression. Since 2016, all Château Durfort-Vivens cuvées have been certified biodynamic, which guarantees particular attention to the preservation of soils and biodiversity.

The Cuvées of Château Durfort-Vivens

Grand Vin: Château Durfort-Vivens

The estate's grand vin, Château Durfort-Vivens, is the purest and most refined expression of the Margaux terroir. Composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon, it seduces with its fine tannic structure, aromatic precision and great ageing capacity. Aromas of red fruits, liquorice and spices blend harmoniously, offering an elegant and complex wine.

Vivens (formerly Relais de Durfort-Vivens)

The estate's second wine, Vivens, comes from younger vines and specific plots. Since 2008, it has distinguished itself with a more accessible style, while retaining the imprint of the Margaux terroir. Aged partly in amphorae and partly in barrels, this wine offers a beautiful intensity of fruit, with supple tannins and a fine balance.

The Single-Plot Cuvées: Les Plantes, Le Plateau and Le Hameau

Since the 2019 vintage, Château Durfort-Vivens has also offered a series of single-plot cuvées, which reflect the diversity of its terroir. These wines are produced in limited quantities, each with its own style:

Les Plantes: A cuvée from young vines, which offers a strict structure and firm tannins. This wine is perfect for lovers of powerful and concentrated wines.

Le Plateau: A more rounded wine, composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is distinguished by its roundness and intense aromas of black fruits.

Le Hameau: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this cuvée presents a perfect balance between finesse and richness, with a beautiful depth.

Blanc de Noir (new in 2021)

In 2021, Château Durfort-Vivens introduced a new innovative cuvée: a blanc de noir wine, made from a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Muscadelle. This wine, sold under the Vin de France appellation, surprises with its freshness and aromatic complexity.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

The Second Growths of 1855 constitute a prestigious category, grouping together iconic estates that often rival the First Growths in quality. Among them, discover Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Durfort-Vivens, both located in Margaux, as well as Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla, and Château Rauzan-Gassies. In Saint-Julien, wine enthusiasts will appreciate the wines from Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Gruaud Larose, and the famous Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Léoville Barton. Don't miss Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, as well as the essential Château Pichon Longueville Baron and Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac.

Château Durfort-Vivens, 2nd Grand Cru Classé of Margaux, embodies both tradition and innovation. Thanks to Gonzague Lurton's passionate commitment and the adoption of biodynamic practices, this estate produces wines of exceptional finesse, which seduce with their precision and unique expression of terroir. Whether through its grand vin, its single-plot cuvées or its new white wine, Château Durfort-Vivens is an essential reference for lovers of great Bordeaux wines.