Le Relais de Durfort-Vivens is the second label of Château Durfort-Vivens in Margaux (2ème Cru Classé), created to offer a more approachable expression of the estate’s Cabernet-led style. It reads as classic Left Bank—violet and cassis over a cool, gravel-etched line—but with softer tannins and earlier charm than the grand vin. In the market it’s often simply referred to as “Le Relais,” and it gives a clear window onto the château’s modern form.
Vineyards sit on deep Garonne gravels threaded with sand and clay, ideal for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon while preserving freshness. Farming follows the estate’s sustainability brief (biodynamic and organic, with meticulous parcel work), and fruit for Le Relais is selected from plots and lots that favour supple texture and immediate balance. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend, supported by Merlot and small shares of the other Bordeaux reds, with proportions flexed to the vintage.
Winemaking is deliberately gentle to keep tannins long-grained rather than blocky. Fermentations are parcel-by-parcel; élevage combines inert vessels and larger formats with a discreet seasoning of barrels so oak reads as polish and length, not flavour. You’ll also see the estate’s use of amphora/terracotta to preserve fruit purity and fine detail—part of the house’s move toward clarity rather than overt wood.
In the glass, expect red-to-black cherry and cassis with Margaux florals (violet, rose), subtle cedar and graphite, and a dry, savoury finish. The palate is medium-bodied, silky at entry, with a taut, mineral core and refreshing acidity. Serve at 16–18 °C; young bottles benefit from a short decant to unfurl the mid-palate and lift perfume. Pairings are straightforward Bordeaux: roast lamb with rosemary, rib-eye with thyme, mushroom ragù, firm cheeses like aged Comté.
Cellaring is rewarding but modest compared to the first wine. Most vintages drink beautifully from 3–5 years after harvest and cruise for 8–12 in stronger seasons, gaining cedar, tobacco and sweet-earth complexity while retaining that lifted Margaux perfume. As a brand within the château’s range, Le Relais sits alongside other secondary labels used by the estate in some years, but the intent is consistent: a true Margaux made for earlier pleasure, with the signature of Durfort-Vivens clearly in view.
