Vega Sicilia Único 1987 (Magnum)

Wine: Vega Sicilia Único 1987 (Magnum)
Winery: Bodega Vega Sicilia (Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid)
Appellation / Region: D.O. Ribera del Duero
Varietals: 80% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec and Merlot
ABV: 14%
Winemaking

Once fermentation is complete, the wine remains in large-capacity oak vats for 2 years. It is then racked into new 225-liter oak barrels for 16 months of aging. Subsequently, it is transferred to semi-new barrels for a further 24 months of maturation. The process continues with 3 years in used barrels, concluding the long aging period with a final 3-year stay in large wooden vats. The remainder of the time is spent in the bottle until its release. Limited production of 79,240 Bordeaux bottles, 2,030 Magnums, and 110 Double Magnums.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Reddish-cherry with medium-high depth; remarkably stable (one would never guess it is over 25 years old). Deeply-hued and opaque, showing pomegranate and copper highlights. It features a broad, garnet-toned rim that contrasts sharply with the core, along with stained "tears" (legs).

 

Nose: Extremely refined and elegant, though not excessively intense upon serving. It feels slightly constrained by its years of bottle age, requiring aeration to steadily unveil its "Único" varietal expression. It offers Tempranillo in its purest form—brutal in depth—with hints of fruit in liqueur, candied fruits, aromatic coffee, and cured leather, underpinned by an earthy background of truffle, leaf litter, and humus. Outstanding, complex, rich in detail, fragrant, and ever-changing. It never stops evolving; it demands full attention to catch every nuance. It oscillates between dried fruits, macerated plums, and an endless list of details: Virginia tobacco strands, vanilla, cigar boxes, coffee beans, and cinnamon.

 

Palate: Pure velvet on the palate, conveying immense roundness and a sense of plenitude. This is a VS etched in stone—possessing a monolithic, colossal structure that seamlessly combines firmness with softness. It features that "whip-crack" of acidity which, in this Magnum format, will allow it to live for decades and outlast us all. It is clearly crafted for the enjoyment of future generations. A wine that continuously grows and improves. It perfectly expresses the identity of the legendary Valbuena de Duero estate, which has masterfully maintained the virtues of what has always been the greatest Spanish wine. It oozes authenticity from every angle. It will reach perfection in a few years. A guaranteed masterpiece.

 

Personal Score: 98
Tasting Group Score: 98