The 2003 vintage is a powerful wine with an intense crimson colour with hints of violet. Aromas of very ripe fruit and spicy notes of pepper are supported by an elegant minerality. Even though this vintage suffered from the heat, the wine expresses plenty of freshness in the mouth combined with ripe fruit. A fine example of a hot year being able to produce wines that are elegant, ripe and fresh. HARVESTING Harvest dates: - Merlot: 9 to 12 September - Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon: 15 to read more...The 2003 vintage is a powerful wine with an intense crimson colour with hints of violet. Aromas of very ripe fruit and spicy notes of pepper are supported by an elegant minerality. Even though this vintage suffered from the heat, the wine expresses plenty of freshness in the mouth combined with ripe fruit. A fine example of a hot year being able to produce wines that are elegant, ripe and fresh. HARVESTING Harvest dates: - Merlot: 9 to 12 September - Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon: 15 to 24 September Average yield: 29 hl/ha BLENDING - Cabernet Sauvignon: 61% - Merlot: 34% - Cabernet Franc: 5% We began to put the wine in barrels at the beginning of October 2003. This process was completed by the beginning of November. The final blending took place in January 2004. MATURING Château DURFORT-VIVENS 2003 was matured in barrels for fourteen months with 45% new barrels. Fining was carried out with natural egg whites. (hide)