Vega Sicilia - Unico Ribera del Duero 2015 (750ml)
Price: $649.99
| Producer | Vega Sicilia |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Ribera del Duero |
| Varietal | Tempranillo |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Sku | 8173 |
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The 2015 vintage is expressive from the first moment. On the palate, it is generous, opulent and juicy, while retaining the estate's trademark elegance.
96% Tinto Fino and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vega Sicilia Description
Unico undergoes an extraordinary ageing process: more than ten years in oak and bottle. In its undisturbed slumber, this inimitable wine creates a timeless cellaring perspective. Like its name, this unique wine is a tribute to the Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards of the Vega Sicilia estate.
The 2015 vintage ripened quickly, evenly and exceptionally well. It was essential to harvest the grapes al dente, when they were crisp, fresh and juicy, to avoid over-ripening. This vintage was a special one for Gonzalo Iturriaga. "It was my first at Vega Sicilia," explains the winemaker. "I understood that there is something genuine in the Vega Sicilia estate, because when I taste the grapes I sense the concentration, the power, but also the elegance and silkiness. That's the basis of a great wine. When you taste that concentration, you understand the need for the unique ageing that we do at Vega Sicilia: five years in oak, with a first stage of about one and a half years in barrels to shape the wine, and a second stage of about three and a half years in oak vats to give the wine a whole new dimension.
James Suckling: 98 Points
Sit back and enjoy this Unico if you are going to open it now. Exotic spices and touches of balsam and cumin come up after the unleashing of blackberries, chocolate, iron, incense and violets. So fine-grained and polished, with a mouthful of velvety tannins that are so cohesive, close-knit and still reactive. Impeccably structured, it’s vertical before going extremely long and linear. A consistent Unico that seduces with a hint of iron-like minerality and rusticity. Drink on release or hold.
Vinous: 98 Points
The 2015 Vega Sicilia Unico is Tinta del Pais with 4% Cabgernet Sauvignon from Ribera del Duero. The nose is aromatically complex, with balsamic notes, forest floor, delicate herbs such as rosemary and thyme and an evolved profile showing vanilla, maraschino cherry and dried fruit. Silky and layered, the palate features chalky tannins and a smooth texture, offering depth and nuance. Subtle oak, fresh plum and herbs combine for a long, refined finish. A classic expression of elegant Ribera.
Wine Advocate: 97 Points
The 2015 Único comes from a year with a fast ripening, and they had to harvest early to keep the crunchiness of the fruit. This was the first harvest produced 100% by winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga. The aging was five years in oak, one and a half years in barrels and three and a half years in oak vats. It's a big vintage, produced with 96% Tinto Fino and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's ripe, with 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.88 and 4.8 grams of acidity. The grapes were cooled down for one day, then the bunches were selected and fermented with a pied de cuve in vats. It's a ripe and concentrated vintage, with a classical modern Vega Sicilia nose that's expressive, aromatic and open, with notes of dark cherries, spice and cigar box. It has a medium- to full-bodied palate with abundant fine-grained tannins, good balance and the rustic elegance of the best Ribera del Dueros.
Wine Spectator: 96 Points
This enticing red is fluid and silky on the palate, offering a core of plumped cherry fruit accented by notes of licorice root, rooibos tea, vanilla and milled pepper. There’s length and expression without overpowering weight as this integrates fine tannins, a satiny texture and lively acidity. Long and focused. Tinto Fino and Cabernet Sauvignon.
