What a debut! Even given the distinguished track record of Bordeaux-based consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet, this is a remarkable wine that is part of a welcome new trend in Ribera del Duero. Elegant and refreshing, it has very fine tannins, floral top notes, subtle oak and just a hint of leafiness from 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Releasing the wine through the Place de Bordeaux with five years of age gives you some idea of the ambition that owner Yllera has for this superb cuvée.

The scented white pepper, botanical, floral nose with a fine stemmy touch accents the cherry, blue plum and spice notes. Contained and pure, with firm but silky tannins contributing to the fine texture and lovely fluidity of this Ribera del Duero, making it an elegant and restrained expression from the region. Long and juicy finish. Nothing loud here. Drink or hold. - Zekun Shuai

Needs time to open up, as even at five years old it has muscles and well-framed fruits, but it is so worth the wait of a few hours in a carafe. Fragrant raspberry leaf, sandalwood, tobacco, pencil lead, juicy black cherry, blood orange, melted tannins, all with finesse and complexity. The wine is made from old vines, up to 90 year (almost entirely) Tempranillo sat at between 750m and 1000m altitude, from a selection of their own vines, and those of local growers. This is the first vintage on the Place, and a new project, and it’s standout. 25% new oak, Jean-Claude and Jeff Berrouet are consultants, working along with winemaker Montxo Martinez and owners Marcos and Carlos Yllera.

The eponymous 2016 Vivaltus was really impressive. I was already amazed at the unbottled sample, and the finished wine seems even better! It's a blend of Tempranillo with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, mostly from old vines. It fermented in stainless steel with neutral yeasts and aged for around 12 months in French barriques, 20% of them new. But there's no oak in the nose, which is ethereal and perfumed, elegant and nuanced, with notes of violets, wild berries and herbs. The palate shows ultra-refined tannins and comes through as beautifully textured, with a fine, chalky minerality, very good precision, clean and focused flavors and a long, tasty finish. This is really amazing. 16,000 bottles were filled in July 2018. Prices had not yet been set, but when I first tasted it some 16 months ago, they were talking about something around $150...-LG

The 2016 Vivaltus is the first vintage of this 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, made with the assistance of Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, a noteworthy collaboration. Garnet-red in hue. Undergrowth, plum and blueberry hints, wrapped in a cedar frame, complement mint and menthol aromas. The dry, juicy palate shows finely-grained tannins and a polished texture that precedes an alluring, long-lasting, balsamic finish. This is a nuanced Ribera wine made in an elegant style. -- Joaquín Hidalgo