Wine: Vega Sicilia Único 1951
Winery: Bodega Vega Sicilia (Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid)
Appellation / Zone: D.O. Ribera del Duero
Varietals: Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winery: Bodega Vega Sicilia (Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid)
Appellation / Zone: D.O. Ribera del Duero
Varietals: Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot.
ABV: (Not specified)
Winemaking:
Following alcoholic fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in large wooden vats, where it remained for a minimum of 5 years. Subsequently, it matured for 10 years in various types of 225-liter oak barrels. The remainder of its maturation took place in the bottle prior to its commercial release. Production was limited to 12,080 bottles. (Note: This unit was in excellent condition, with the original cork and high fill level).
Following alcoholic fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in large wooden vats, where it remained for a minimum of 5 years. Subsequently, it matured for 10 years in various types of 225-liter oak barrels. The remainder of its maturation took place in the bottle prior to its commercial release. Production was limited to 12,080 bottles. (Note: This unit was in excellent condition, with the original cork and high fill level).
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Reddish-ruby color with low depth; very clear, with a trace of sediment
at the base of the bottle. Featuring amber, brick-red, and brownish
reflections with muted brilliance. Extremely broad brick-orange rim,
showing no variation against the meniscus.
Nose:
Inexplicably fruity and spicy for its age. It offers sensations of
prunes, Turkish figs, and morello cherries, supported by a misty, smoky
background of freshly ground peppers that wafts from the glass like a
chimney. Fragrant, ethereal, and subtle, it increases in intensity with
aeration, showing no signs of age-related fatigue. Delicate notes of
fine wood (chestnut, cedar, walnut bark) emerge, alongside incense,
cocoa powder, and a curious, striking hint of violet essence and
candies.
Palate:
Absolute velvet—completely spherical, plush, and caressing on the
palate. The tannins are "pearly," revealing a subtle sweet and creamy
nuance despite the wine's absolute dryness. It displays a purity of
fruit—Tempranillo refined to its essence—integrated with a maturation
that faithfully reproduces the aromatic profile. Despite its complex
"stitching," it possesses an overwhelming simplicity. The acidity fits
the ensemble perfectly.
Commentary:
The 1951 Único is a legendary masterpiece that stands as a "great among greats." It is a wine that operates on a different level of quality, overshadowing more recent releases with its extraordinary vitality and poise. A perfect wine in every sense, capturing the pinnacle of Valbuena's history in a bottle that defies the laws of time.
The 1951 Único is a legendary masterpiece that stands as a "great among greats." It is a wine that operates on a different level of quality, overshadowing more recent releases with its extraordinary vitality and poise. A perfect wine in every sense, capturing the pinnacle of Valbuena's history in a bottle that defies the laws of time.
Personal Score: 100
Tasting Group Average: 100
Tasting Group Average: 100
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