1999 Château Durfort-Vivens

Community Tasting Notes (7) Avg Score: 86.7 points

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  4/17/2016 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Of all CCs, Durfort is probably the most maligned, not least due to the long-running feud between the owner and RMP. I'd forgotten this bottle and expected the worst in view of the last comments about it, so it came as a pleasant surprise and a welcome reminder.
  Durfort is an old-fashioned claret which tastes as if it was made in the 70s, therefore needing at least 10 years, if not 15, to soften and open up. This applies even to lighter vintages such as the 99.
  The nose is attractive, full of nuanced and subtle aromas of forest fruits blended with leather and spices. The attack is still quite fresh, leading into a suave middle section of dark cherry, before a seam of rich blackberry that tingles on the edge of the tongue, then a dusty, elegant finale, lifting rather than falling, just as a Margaux should have.
  It's like a cross between early 80s Cantenac-Brown and Léoville-Barton, with perfect poise and balance, immensely satisfying to drink.
  Admittedly, towards the end of the evening, the fruit was starting to fade and this is not a wine to decant, but unless you only like modren wines, this is a good bet.
  It's also reminiscent of a good Chinon and I'm surprised that more Loire fans aren't seeking out Durfort.

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  3/31/2013 - dhlau Likes this wine: 86 Points

  Nose was not that impressive but pleasant with leathery aroma. well balanced tannins with black fruits in the front palate, and vanilla in the mid palate. finish was medium. however, the fruit was gone within a few hours of breathing. not going to hold for long from here on.

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  7/11/2012 - Julian Marshall wrote:

  This improves every year. Very appealing nose of black cherry, followed by a touch of vanilla and cigar box. The tannins are now settling down, leaving a thick, viscous mouthful of brambly fruit at first, then the black cherries, then a third wave of intense blackcurrant and wild strawberry, before settling down to a long finale. The Margaux elegance appears right at the end, this is quite reminiscent of Palmer.
  Very much an old fashioned claret, it tastes in fact as if it was made thirty years ago in terms of style: it's an uncompromising wine made for the long term as Bordeaux used to be, without hyper concentrated fruit or oak.
  Ridiculously under-rated for the quality, this is a tremendous wine that will improve further, just the sort of bottle to put in a blind tasting..

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  5/13/2012 - krvw wrote: 88 Points

  Earthy notes around black cherry fruit, with still strong tannins and acidity. Not bad, but the fruit was a bit lacking, and somewhat overpowered by the earthy/leathery notes.

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  4/25/2011 - Poggio wrote: 80 Points

  Splendid nose., well balanced with moderate tannins. Definitely ready to drink now.

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