NV Vega Sicilia, Unico Reserva Especial, Ribera del Duero 3x75cl

Vinous 96

(this 2017 release was made from a selection that totaled 59 barrels from 2003, 2004 and 2006) Vivid ruby-red. Ripe cherry, dark berries, cigar box, vanilla bean and incense on the deeply perfumed, expansive nose. Shows impressive weight and breadth on the palate, offering sappy blackberry, candied cherry and spicecake flavors complicated by hints of rose pastille, vanilla and licorice. The smooth, strikingly long finish shows a seamless quality and repeating floral and dark berry notes that build as the wine opens up. While this wine has plenty going on right now, I’ve no doubt that it will enjoy a long, positive evolution as well. [Josh Raynolds, 05/01/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2021-2035

Wine Advocate 99

The 2011 Release of the Unico Reserva Especial is a blend of vintages 1991, 1994, and 1998. It is a rich, spicy, and complex wine with impeccable balance and another 20 years of life. It simply does not get any better. When you consider that the Reserva Especial sells for less than half the price of a Bordeaux First Growth (and you don’t have to wait for 20 years for it to be approachable) it is one of the great bargains in world-class wine. Bodegas Vega Sicilia’s Valbuena receives 3 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle prior to release. Each year Vega Sicilia releases a small amount of a multi-vintage Unico Reserva Especial blended to reflect the house style of Vega Sicilia at its very best. The vagaries of vintage are blended away leaving a wine that is, in my opinion, better than any of the single vintage wines except in the very greatest years. It is a fascinating exercise to taste the Unico beside the Reserva Especial. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin, www.europvin.com [Jay Miller, 01/06/2011]