2018 Vivaltus (1.5L)

Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Leon, Spain

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Producing two spectacular, highly rated Tempranillo wines in its inaugural vintage, Vivaltus is an exciting new project from the Yllera family that should be on the radar of every Spanish wine fan, founded as a collaboration with the legendary Jean-Claude Berrouet, winemaker at Chateau Petrus for over 40 years. Described as a “standout” project by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, the 96 pt. 2016 Vivaltus and the 93 pt. 2016 La Fleur de Vivaltus are exquisite expressions of old vine Tempranillo crafted by a Bordeaux master, offered in a range of formats at best on the market pricing.

Built into a spectacular hilltop in the Valle del Cuco between the medieval castles of Penafiel and Curiel de Duero, Vivaltus combines outstanding old vine fruit from Ribera del Duero with the winemaking techniques Berrouet brought from Bordeaux, including picking the grapes earlier, minimizing the use of new oak and blending the native Tempranillo with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Sourced from vineyards in the south of Burgos, the Tempranillo vines range from 70 to over 100 years of age and come from a mosaic of terroirs, including two notable vineyards. Located between 900 and 1,000 meters above sea level, the soils of the Fuentenebro vineyard are made up of decomposed granite and red clay, contributing freshness and natural acidity while La Aguilera, located between 840 and 870 meters above sea level with sandy and clay-limestone soils, adds chalky minerality to the blend. Fermenting both wines in stainless steel with natural yeasts and aging them mostly in used French oak, the outstanding 93 pt. La Fleur de Vivaltus offers an “impressive elegant nose” with fresh flavors and balanced structure according to the Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutierrez, while the “ethereal” 96 pt. Vivaltus is described as “elegant and refreshing” by Decanter’s Tim Atkins with a lingering finish that critic Gutierrez sums up as “A truly breathtaking Ribera del Duero.”

Recently released for the first time on La Place de Bordeaux and “soon to be an important name in Ribera del Duero,” according to Gutierrez, the Vivaltus star is on the rise, with prices for future vintages likely to rise with it – making this offer to purchase the incredible 2016 Vivaltus wines at value pricing an opportunity that Spanish wine lovers will not want to miss.

95WA

95JA

The vintage to be released is the 2018 Vivaltus, which feels very shy, primary and closed and is developing at a glacial pace. The wine is elegant, subtle and insinuating, yet to develop the perfume and exuberance the 2016 has in the nose. It has a leafy twist that gives it freshness, and it has velvety tannins, great balance and elegance. It has the ingredients and the balance between them to develop nicely in bottle, but seeing how the 2016 is singing today, it would be a shame to pull the cork from the 2018.

95+ points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Jan 2023)

Muscular, slate hewn tannins, this has a rugged quality where nothing is overpowered by oak and yet it hugs the palate, making its presence felt. Serious tannic architecture that softens through the mid palate to show creamy raspberry and red cherry fruits, spiced aniseed, fennel and liqourice root, sinewy tannins, totally moreish. Aged in 25% new oak, 10% amphora, and the rest in neutral barrels. Jean-Claude and Jeff Berrouet consultants, with winemaker Montxo Martinez and owners Marcos and Carlos Yllera. Old vine Tempranillo, including some dating right back to pre-Phylloxera, sat at between 750m and 1000m altitude, from a selection of their own vines, and those of local growers.

95 points, Jane Anson (Mar 2023)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.0%

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$179.98

Compare At: $199.99

12 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.

Available in Original Wood Case of 3

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