Back to SommPicks US
Early AccessSommPicks EU Direct
2014 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico #264212822
Reviews 98 points Wine Advocate "The 2014 Unico was produced with grapes from 40 hectares of vines selected from the 210 hectares the winery has. The grapes were picked between September 20th and October 3rd, and the blend was 94% Tinto Fino and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. It fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, with malolactic in stainless steel. The first part of the aging was in 225-liter barrels and the second one in 20,000-liter oak vats, and the elevage lasts 10 years between oak and bottle. It's a year that combines power and elegance; it's concentrated but has subtleness. I had a unique opportunity to taste it from magnum one year ago and was truly impressed. This tasting was consistent with those sensations. 2014 was a good vintage in the zone, a year with good rain and a big crop, not as powerful as 2012 or 2015 but a year with finesse. The wine feels very balanced, lower in alcohol and with integrated oak, crunchy, fresh and still young. It feels quite classical; it's fine-boned, elegant but also powerful, more like the Unicos from yesteryear. It has to be one of the finest vintages of recent times. (LG)" 97 points Vinous "The 2014 Unico is primarily composed of Tempranillo with an additional 6% dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, both sourced from the eponymous property in Ribera del Duero. Aged at length in barrels and large oak vats, the combination of aging methods brings out the wine's nuances in what was a generous year. A dark garnet-red in the glass. The aromas offer licorice and cedar notes alongside hints of orange peel, petit four, cola and pine. There's a background of ripe dark fruit. The palate is dry and plush with a chalky texture and supple tannins, contributing to the complex character. A nuanced red just at the beginning of its life. (JH)"
Ridiculously low 2-day shipping. Add to cart to calculate cost.
Also From Bodegas Vega-Sicilia
About Bodegas Vega-Sicilia
Bodegas Vega-Sicilia, a beacon of excellence in Spain's Ribera del Duero region, is celebrated for its meticulous winemaking and exceptional quality. The estate spans approximately 1,000 hectares, with 210 hectares dedicated to vineyards, primarily planted with Tempranillo, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a hint of Malbec. This diverse selection forms the backbone of Vega-Sicilia’s prestigious wines.
The flagship Unico, composed mainly of Tempranillo and select Bordeaux varietals, is produced only in the best vintages and epitomizes the winery's dedication to quality. Unico Reserva Especial, a blend of multiple top Unico vintages, is known for its extraordinary complexity, developed over aging periods ranging from a decade to three decades. Valbuena 5°, sourced from younger vines, offers a more accessible yet still exceptional expression of Vega-Sicilia’s craft.
The winery employs a sophisticated system of rackings between large barrels and barriques, blending old and new oak, to produce wines with remarkable longevity. This nuanced approach to aging ensures that each bottle embodies a perfect balance of power, elegance, and depth.
Vega-Sicilia's influence extends beyond its home estate. It owns additional wineries such as Bodegas Alión, Bodegas Pintia, the Deiva winery in Rías Baixas, and the Tokaj estate, Oremus. Their joint venture with Compagnie Viticole Baron Edmond de Rothschild in Rioja, Macán, further exemplifies their innovative spirit.
Under the stewardship of the Alvarez family, Vega-Sicilia continues to uphold its storied legacy, producing wines that are both highly collectible and a pinnacle of Spanish viticulture.