2020, Vivaltus, Ribera Del Duero, SPAIN

Blend: Tempranillo and Merlot.

The 2020 Vivaltus from Ribera del Duero was aged up to 12 months in barrels and amphorae. Hailing from a vintage with sufficient rainfall, the 2020 delivers nuanced elegance. The nose is slightly reductive, combining wild herbs, red and black fruit and delicate lavender. The palate is smooth, with fine, lightly gripping tannins and an exceptional depth of flavour. A lightly mentholated finish adds complexity. Layered and supremely refined. 97 Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous (2025)

The 2020 Vivaltus was produced with a blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Merlot from old vines in the villages of La Aguilera, Fuentenebro, Moradillo de Roa, Anguix and, for the first time this year, also Atauta in search of freshness. The uncrushed grapes from each vineyard were moved by gravity to the tanks, where they fermented with selected neutral yeasts, with soft pumping overs, looking for a silky texture of the tannins. Malolactic was also in stainless steel, and the wines aged in barrels, 15% of them new, and 5% in amphorae. There's depth and creaminess, and the wine is serious and fine-boned with very fine tannins and a chalky feeling. It's integrated, seamless and powerful, with elegance. It comes in at 14.1% alcohol, with a pH of 3.76 and 5.05 grams of acidity. This is a classical and serious red with balance and stuffing to develop nicely in bottle. 17,147 bottles, 1,000 magnums and 102 double magnums. produced. It was bottled in June 2022. 95 Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (2025)

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2045