Vivaltus La Fleur Vivaltus 2016
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Robert
Parker
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Blend: 97% Tempranillo, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I tasted the bottled version of the 2016 La Fleur de Vivaltus (formerly Petit Vivaltus), which showed pretty much like the sample I tasted with Jean-Claude Berrouet and his son Jeff in Madrid on a warm summer Monday morning in 2018. It's mostly Tempranillo with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and has 13.9% alcohol. It fermented with neutral yeasts followed by an élevage that lasted 12 months in 70% used barrels, 20% new ones and 10% in concrete eggs. This shows very good freshness and elegance, a style I have also seen in some of the Yllera wines from this vintage (Jesús Yllera and Yllera Dominus), floral, perfumed and elegant, with a vibrant palate with very good freshness and clean, focused flavors.
VivaltuS represents something completely new in our beloved Ribera del Duero; a different, elegant and fresh wine, hedonist and long-lived, showcasing our terroirs, landscapes and vineyards in each bottle. Working with Jean-Claude Berrouet, winemaker at Chateau Petrus for 40 years and his son Jeff Berrouet has shaken our bases. Their vision, philosophy and expertise making some of the best wines in the world have helped us in the creation of VivaltuS, maintaining the essence and heart of our tempranillo grapes from the Duero valley joined to Jean Claud Berrouet's soul, resulting in a subtlety and full of finesse wine, with silky tannins and evolving texture that ends in a long finish full of elegance.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
Ribera del Duero, Spanish wine region, is located in northen Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive from Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back more than 2000 years, it was in the 1980s that 9 wineries applied for and were granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera del Duero home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names.
Notable Facts Ribera’s main grape variety, Tempranillo, locally know as Tinto Fino, is perfectly suited to the extreme climate of the region, where it must survive scorching summers and frigid winters. Low yields resulting from conscientious tending to old vines planted in Ribera’s diverse soils types, give Ribera wines a distinctive depth and complexity not found in other Tempranillos. Rich and full-bodied, the spice, dark fruit and smoky flavors in a bold Ribera del Duero will pair well with roasted and grilled meats, Mexican food and tomato-based sauces.