The 2010 Durfort-Vivens has impressive intensity on the nose with scents of blackberry, cedar, allspice and graphite, so that it develops and almost Pauillac-like personality with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation and acidity. This completely shades preceding vintages of the decade, not a powerful Margaux and yet very well balanced with admirable purity on the finish. This is drinking supremely well at this moment but should give another 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.

An ugly duckling at en primeur time, this has since blossomed into a wine that is structured, tending toward severity. Yet it also has richness in the form of layered black fruit, with smooth wood influence and tight acidity on the finish. It's a wine for long-term aging.

Rather briary, with an energetic feel to the crushed blackberry, loganberry and mulberry fruit, laced with bay leaf and iron, and backed by a long, perfumy finish that offers good latent grip. Best from 2014 through 2027.