2019 VivaltuS

Delicious, saline, tongue-scraping tannic grip, vertical rise through the palate and yet rooted to the spot, more about texture and taste than aromatics at this point, but promising so much unfurling over the next four to five years.Studded with sage and rosemary, muscular blackberry and spiced raspberry, fully recommend getting to know this evolving and surprising Ribeiro del Duero. Jean-Claude and Jeff Berrouet consultants, with winemaker Montxo Martinez and owners Marcos and Carlos Yllera. Vineyards at 750m to 1000m attitude from high quality plots across the region, from a selection of their own vines and some of local growers. Aged in 25% new oak, 10% amphora, and the rest in neutral barrels.
96/100 Jane Anson

(Ribera Del Duero DO; 99% Tempranillo; 1% Merlot; the old-vine fruit was sourced predominantly from the Fuentenebro and La Aguilera vineyards at, respectively, 900-1000 and 850-900 metres of altitude; aged in a combination of French oak barrels and amphorae; pH 3.67; 14% alcohol; a partnership between Jean-Claude Berrouet, who is the consultant here, and Montxo Martínez). The fourth release of this wine. Another wine of elemental freshness and staggering intensity from VivaltuS, both highly expressive aromatically yet also somehow delicate and restrained. Leafy, herbal, vibrant and very subtly spiced, this is soft and gentle, gracious and beguiling. I love the trace of cedar and that note of wild thyme. Very beautiful, with lovely grip and stretch from the extraordinarily fine-grained but structuring tannins. Long and juicy on the lifted, aerial finish.
97/100 Colin Hay; The Drinks Business