VIVALTUS Ribera del Duero, Tempranillo 2016 Bottle

Description

THE WINE ADVOCATE Rating: 96
Drink Date: 2020 - 2030 - 'The eponymous 2016 Vivaltus was really impressive......It's a blend of Tempranillo with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, mostly from old vines. It fermented in stainless steel with neutral yeasts and aged for around 12 months in French barriques, 20% of them new. But there's no oak in the nose, which is ethereal and perfumed, elegant and nuanced, with notes of violets, wild berries and herbs. The palate shows ultra-refined tannins and comes through as beautifully textured, with a fine, chalky minerality, very good precision, clean and focused flavors and a long, tasty finish. This is really amazing. 16,000 bottles were filled in July 2018.....' - Luis Gutiérrez, 30th Dec 2019

DECANTER 97 points
"What a debut! Even given the distinguished track record of Bordeaux-based consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet, this is a remarkable wine that is part of a welcome new trend in Ribera del Duero. Elegant and refreshing, it has very fine tannins, floral top notes, subtle oak and just a hint of leafiness from 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Releasing the wine through the Place de Bordeaux with five years of age gives you some idea of the ambition that owner Yllera has for this superb cuvée."

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
16,000 bottles. A promising project, in which Bordeaux's Jean-Claude and Jeff Berrouet participate, based in Curiel del Duero.
It has a more delicate profile with somewhat more mature fruit than El Jardín de Vivaltus. It is compact, but it makes you salivate. Savoury, with complete tannins, but replenished with delicacy. It is a Ribera with a soft, deep and elegant profile. Very well crafted. A fantastic project that will echo in the future for sure. (FC)