Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial "Venta 2016" Red Blend

Country of Origin: Spain
Region: Ribera del Duero
Type: Red Wine
Grape Variety: Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2016
Size: 750ml
Alcohol Volume / ABV: 14.5%
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry

Why We Love This Wine

Vega Sicilia is by far the most prestigious wine estate in Ribera del Duero, and perhaps in all of Spain, with an almost mythical reputation of both rarity & quality for their wines. Located 100 miles north of Madrid on a high elevation, remote plateau of Castilla y Leon in the town of Valbuena del Duero, their grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec all brought from Bordeaux classified growth vineyards by the Estate's founder in 1864 with their main varietal still remaining to be the indigenous Tempranillo grape. The historical provenance of the estate was instrumental in the designation of Ribera del Duero as a DOC (Denominacion Origen Calcificada) in 1982, making the region at par with Rioja. Three flagship cuvees have made Vega Sicilia legendary: the Unico, Unico Reserva Especial (multi-vintage blend), and their Valbuena 5 Ano. These wines are legendary not only for their supreme quality but also for the prices they command. Displaying a deep & concentrated garnet robe, the nose evinces intensely powerful spice notes and extraordinary aromatic complexity & richness. On the palate, this wine shows precision & poise revealing spicy ripe fruit flavors with added blasamic hints. This is a perfectly balanced wine with well-rounded and polished tannins that culminate in an excellently long finish.

Winemaker / Tasting Notes

Dark cherry in color, the nose of this wine shows enormous complexity with good fruit & intense spice notes. On its well-rounded palate, it is silky sweet revealing the beautiful presence of ripe fruit as well as flavor nuances of peppermint & Mediterranean Shrubs.