“The key to the project’s success was persuading the legendary French winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, formerly of Château Pétrus, to come on board…” – Decanter

So, Vivaltus does not just rhyme with Pétrus.

Remember this $8,500 bottle no one claimed during our last marathon that we THREATENED to open? And HAD TO drink live on the stream?

Insane stuff, for real. But that 2018 Pétrus goes for roughly 100x times more than this red we’re looking at today. So…100 bottles of this? Or one Pétrus?

The choice seems easy, right? Let’s get this straight, we are not implying this is par with the legendary Pétrus, but for the extra $8400 you sure do get some diminishing returns on the latter.

Perhaps it’s fairer to compare the flagship VivaltuS to Pingus, and not just because it too rhymes. The same vintage of the benchmark wine of the region scored just ONE point higher with Tim Atkin MW; however, bottles of it go for way north of $1,000 - also underlining one clear point: this is DAYLIGHT ROBBERY at $87 after a whopping 40% off this 98pt cult gem.

Master of Wine Tim Atkin - a big fan who rated this 98 points - puts it most poetically; “Successful older winemakers also have the self-assurance that comes with financial security. When Marcos Yllera went to see Jean-Claude Berrouet, the so-called poet of Pomerol who made Pétrus between 1964 and 2008, to ask him to get involved with his new project VivaltuS, the great man served his Spanish guest two wines. One was inky, extracted, and smudged with new oak; the other was lighter-bodied, elegant, detailed, and refined. ‘If you want to make this,” he said, pointing at the first glass, ‘I’m not interested. If you prefer the second wine, I’ll consult for you.’ …the best winemakers love what they do, you see.”

Considering 2018 is only their third vintage, it’s just a question of time VivaltuS catches up with Pingus, as Vinous explains, “Owned by the Yllera and Martínez families, VivaltuS is a clear case where a focus on elegance has translated into a significant stylistic upgrade. Under the guidance of Bordelais consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet, VivaltuS now delivers serious, nuanced wines that reflect the different character of each vintage. The team’s approach prioritizes finesse over raw energy, achieved with careful extraction and press adjustments that preserve Tempranillo’s fine tannins without overwhelming them with oak. Tasting vintages from 2016 onward reveals how VivaltuS’ quest for refinement now guides every step from vineyard to winery. This is a producer to watch.”

And watch we did, now let’s watch this small stash sell out.

98 Points – Tim Atkin MW “The maiden 2016 vintage has only just been released through the Place de Bordeaux, so it may be a little premature to review this 2018, but make sure you remind yourself to buy a case in two years’ time. Produced without Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time, it’s the polar opposite of the big, ripe, over-wooded styles of Ribera. Nuanced, refined and hauntingly balanced, with perfumed oak, lovely texture and balance, leafy, graphite-like complexity and the length of a world-class wine. Drink 2023-2035.”

96 Points – Vinous “The 2018 VivaltuS from Ribera del Duero was aged for up to 12 months in barrels and amphorae. Garnet in color, it opens with mint, thyme and herbs, followed by forest tones and then fruit—black cherry and plum. Dry, silky and textured with delicate chalk, it offers a long, flavorful finish of finesse and elegance. After 18 months in bottle, it has gained greater complexity and nuance. Drink 2025-2045.”

96 Points – James Suckling “A little closed with more mineral notes than the 2016 vintage. The very elegant nose has excellent depth and purity from the fruit, showing freshness from its blueberry and blue plum expressions. Medium-bodied on the palate with fine, polished tannins that spread across the palate. Fluid and elegant, this is quite expressive and long. Delicious now, but better in one or two more years.”

95+ Points – Wine Advocate “VivaltuS is the high-end project from the Yllera family with the help of Jean-Claude Berrouet and first-class Ribera del Duero grapes. In my (still short) experience, these wines are not easy to read when young and need a couple of years in bottle to start blossoming. That is the case with the 2018 Vivaltus, a wine that will not be released for a while, as they are currently launching the 2016, so I expect to taste it again before it reaches the market. 2018 was a very good vintage in Ribera del Duero, following the style of 2016, perhaps a little more powerful. The wine is never dark, extracted, or oaky but feels reticent and shy. The texture is a giveaway for what should come with some years in bottle: velvety tannins, great balance, and elegance. I think balance and elegance within the natural power of Ribera del Duero are the key words here. Drink 2023-2032.”