Wine: Vega Sicilia Único 1972
Winery: Bodegas Vega Sicilia (Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid)
Appellation / Zone: D.O. Ribera del Duero
Varietals: 60% Tinto Fino, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, Malbec, and Albillo
ABV: 13.5%
Winery: Bodegas Vega Sicilia (Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid)
Appellation / Zone: D.O. Ribera del Duero
Varietals: 60% Tinto Fino, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, Malbec, and Albillo
ABV: 13.5%
Winemaking:
Grapes sourced exclusively from estate vineyards. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine was racked into large wooden vats (18,000–20,000 liters) for malolactic fermentation and stabilization for 22 months. It then moved to new 225-liter oak barrels for 22 months of aging, followed by another 24 months in wooden vats. The remainder of the aging process took place in the bottle until its commercial release. Limited production of 66,500 bottles (75 cl) and 1,500 magnums.
Grapes sourced exclusively from estate vineyards. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine was racked into large wooden vats (18,000–20,000 liters) for malolactic fermentation and stabilization for 22 months. It then moved to new 225-liter oak barrels for 22 months of aging, followed by another 24 months in wooden vats. The remainder of the aging process took place in the bottle until its commercial release. Limited production of 66,500 bottles (75 cl) and 1,500 magnums.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Ruby-red with medium-low depth; very clear and clean. It appears
slightly more evolved than other Vega Sicilia releases from the same
period. Displays amber and copper reflections with muted brilliance.
Broad, tawny rim with almost no contrast against the meniscus.
Nose:
An unforgettable wine. It is overwhelming in its structural integrity
and youthfulness, as well as the sheer quality of its components. A
striking, perfumed, and delicate expression of Tinto Fino persists
throughout, with floral notes and violet candies veined by graphite,
roasted coffee, and the finest imaginable oak. The elegance is profound;
it envelops the senses and occupies the entire space without
hesitation—compact, solid, and complex.
Palate:
Pure silk on the palate. Caressing and cushioned, it has been barely
softened by the years, remaining vital throughout the two-hour tasting.
Fully integrated, with a lingering sweet-fruit nuance, it is absolutely
savory and culminates in a spectacular finish.
Commentary:
A magnificent Único that reaches heights no other Spanish winery could achieve in a year as challenging for viticulture as 1972. While it sits slightly below the magnum format of the same vintage—where Vega Sicilia truly expresses its full dimension—it is by far the best wine of its class we have had the privilege to taste. It is brimming with vitality and will surely remain at this level for many years to come.
A magnificent Único that reaches heights no other Spanish winery could achieve in a year as challenging for viticulture as 1972. While it sits slightly below the magnum format of the same vintage—where Vega Sicilia truly expresses its full dimension—it is by far the best wine of its class we have had the privilege to taste. It is brimming with vitality and will surely remain at this level for many years to come.
Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Average: 96
Tasting Group Average: 96
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