2016 Vega Sicilia Unico (Ribera del Duero)

A blend of 96% Tinto Fino and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the historic Vega Sicilia vineyards located between 720 and 930 m above sea level on limestone marl soils. As tradition dictates, the wine undergoes one of the longest ageing processes in the fine-wine world in Spain: a total of 10 years, beginning with fermentation in wooden vats (tinos de madera), followed by five years in barrels and large wooden tinos, and ending with extended bottle ageing until release. Total production is 92,292 bottles, 3,695 magnums, 335 double magnums, 57 imperials and 6 salmanazars.
Stylistically, this is a tertiary wine, yet far from fading. Notes of black tea, leather and earth appear with remarkable purity and precision, framed by hints of cedar and a graceful aromatic lift. The palate is unexpectedly delicate, showing integrated and delicate tannins with subtle spice – touches of clove and sandalwood – adding nuance. While 2014 and 2015 were warm years, 2016 was not cool but was certainly less warm, resulting in a wine that is slightly less concentrated, more refined and with a thread of primary brightness still intact. Shades of black cherry and cassis mingle with a distinctive pine-forest freshness, and the oak – expertly integrated – acts in a supporting role. It feels like a quiet evolution for Unico: less overtly oaky, more transparent, and carrying a sense of purity that elevates the estate’s signature character rather than shifting it. A wine capable of lighting up a dining room simply by crossing it on its way to a table – and one that will bring immense pride to collectors and admirers alike. 18.5 points