Mostly Godello with a small percentage of Doña Blanca • sourced from 35-40 year-old vines in Cacabelos and 80-100 year-old vines in La Poulosa and Las Villegas in Valtuille on clay and sand • approximately 80% of the juice (Godello) ferments and raises on year in neutral French foudres, while the remainder (Doña Blanca) is vinified in open-top clay amphora on the skins under a protective layer of yeast and raised there for two years • no malolactic
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
Spain
Region:
Castilla Y Leon
Appellation:
Bierzo
Variety:
Godello-based blend
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-VIZ-10-22 | 6/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Tim Atkin, MW
Score
95
Date
2024-10-04
"Textured and nuanced, La del Vivo is a Godello with serious personality. Delicate chamomile and honey aromas lead to ripe apricot and peach syrup with a little bitter almond and a touch of white pepper. It takes time to open up but then reveals a fantastically chalky palate and just a little woody spice from 12 months in large oak vats. Should continue to develop further over the coming years. 2024-28"
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2024-06-20
"The white 2022 La Vizcaína La del Vivo comes from vines they own, all fermented without temperature control and never racked. It has a serious and austere nose that makes me think of a cooler year. There is good ripeness, and the wine achieved 13.5% alcohol but has very good freshness and acidity. It has notes of white flowers, fruit, spices and herbs and is complex, nuanced and elegant. It has a chalky palate with very fresh and clean flavors. It matured in 1,000-, 1,500- and 4,000-liter oak vats. Some 10,000 bottles produced."
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2025-02-25
"The 2022 Godello La Vizcaína La del Vivo from Lomas de Valtuille, Bierzo, is 95% Godello and 5% Doña Blanca, aged one year in amphorae and then in barrels and foudres. The 2022 is fragrant with white flowers, pear and herbal notes. It is creamy, medium-bodied, delicate and fresh. Balanced at 12.5%, it avoids weakness while highlighting textural richness from amphora aging and vibrant acidity."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2023
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2025-11-13
"Citrusy, with an incisive herbal edge alongside bruised apples. The elegant palate is rich yet contained, with flavorful density. 10% dona branca aged in amphorae is blended with godello from barriques. From two parcels, one in Valtuille and the other in Cacabelos. Generous, with great harmony, joy and heart. Drink or hold."
2023
Wine Advocate
Score
94
Date
2025-07-10
"The 2023 La Vizca'na La del Vivo comes from Valtuille and Cacabelos, with some 10% Do–a Blanca (from a 700-liter amphora, whereas all the Godello was in foudre). It fermented without temperature control, without racking and without malolactic. It also took time in finishing fermentation, and some 60% of the wine went through malolactic. There is a whiff of oak, which is noticeable in the texture. There are some 10,000 bottles."
2023
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2025-09-23
"The 2023 Viña La Del Vivo is predominantly Godello with 10% Doña Blanca from Bierzo. Aged in foudres, which subtly mark the aroma, it offers gentle herbal notes, green apple and a touch of flowers, with a background of tangerine and more evident oak influence. The palate is vibrant, with pleasant tension and a lightly creamy texture. At 13.5% alcohol, this is a fine expression of Bierzo whites."
2021
Wine Advocate
Score
95+
Date
2023-08-10
2021
John Gilman
Score
92+
Date
2023-07-10