2007 Durfort Vivens

Attractive ripe cassis and herbal aroma. Dry, paper-fine tannins but the overall effect is refined rather than drying. Very well balanced for the vintage. Complete and accomplished. (JH)

This dark ruby-colored 2007 possesses aromas of plum sauce, berry fruit, juicy black currants, and a hint of herbs. It is an attractive, mid-weight, fleshy wine with good purity and depth. Enjoy it over the next decade.

First vintage of the attractive new retro label inspired by the 19th century. Very dark – really quite unusually dark. This tastes as though an enormous amount of effort has gone into trying to compensate for the vintage's failures. It's still a bit austere but top marks for effort! (JR)