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Winery: Bodega Vivaltus

Country / Region: Spain / DO Ribera del Duero

Date Winery was established: 1980s

Alcohol Content / Volume: 14.5% / 750ml

Ratings: 93 pts. Robert Parker

Good to know: Bodega Vivaltus emerges as a standout project in Spain's Ribera del Duero, born from the Yllera family's long-standing winemaking heritage. While Grupo Yllera has been producing wine since the 1980s, the Vivaltus estate was specifically established following the purchase of a Ribera del Duero winery in 2016. Located on a picturesque hilltop in Curiel de Duero, what truly elevates Vivaltus to greatness is its relentless pursuit of terroir-driven elegance over sheer power. To achieve this, the estate enlisted the expertise of legendary consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet—world-renowned for his decades of masterful winemaking at Bordeaux's Château Pétrus—working alongside his son Jeff and local oenologist Montxo Martínez. By focusing on high-altitude, old-vine plots and employing meticulous, patient winemaking techniques, Vivaltus crafts exceptional wines that redefine the modern Ribera del Duero style with remarkable freshness, balance, and sophistication.

The La Fleur de Vivaltus 2016 is a profoundly significant release, as it marks the highly anticipated inaugural vintage of this prestigious project. The 2016 growing season yielded grapes of exceptional freshness and elegance, allowing the blend—primarily Tempranillo with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—to shine with a beautifully perfumed, floral character. The wine’s unique aging process, which utilizes a precise mix of new and used French oak alongside polymer egg-shaped tanks, enhances its vibrant palate and clean, focused red fruit flavors without masking the terroir with heavy wood. Because of its lively acidity, refined structure, and contemporary elegance, this vintage is a tremendously versatile culinary companion. It pairs spectacularly with roasted or grilled meats such as classic Spanish suckling lamb (lechazo), hearty beef stews, rich tomato-based dishes, and mature, aged sheep's milk cheeses.