Ribera Del Duero Vega Sicllia Unico 2011

Vega-Sicilia is an iconic wine from Spain that every wine enthusiast should taste. Peter Sisseck, known for Dominio de Pingus, highlights the wine's ability to innovate without losing its historical roots.

The vineyard extends over 1,000 hectares, of which 210 hectares are planted with vines, mainly Tempranillo. Since 1989, Unico has been made from Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The grapes for Unico come from 38 hectares of 35-year-old vines that have been grown organically since 1985. The harvest is done manually with sorting both in the field and in the vineyard. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks without the use of foreign yeast strains, and the malolactic fermentation also takes place here.

The barrel aging has been shortened to give the wine a more expressive character. The 2009 vintage marks the end of the old era, where the wine was matured in both traditional and modernized cellars. The wine is aged in small French and American barrels as well as large old barrels. After 66 months in barrel, it spends a further 44 months in bottle.

Unico rewards patience, whether through further aging or decanting. Tasting notes include vanilla, coconut, chocolate, licorice, cedar and fresh pipe tobacco, along with juicy cherries, mirabelle plums and blueberries. The wine is full-bodied yet elegant with soft tannins.

Recommendations:
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate: 98
Luis Gutiérrez - January 2019
James Suckling: 98
December 2018
Wine Spectator: 95
Thomas Matthews - June 2019
Peñín Guide: 95
Guide 2019
Jancis Robinson: 19/20
Richard Hemming MW - December 2018

Year: 2011
Country: Spain