10 Best Vega Sicilia Unico Wines, Food Pairings, Prices (2024)

Vega Sicilia Unico is the flagship wine from the distinguished Spanish winery Vega Sicilia.

The wine got its name Unico (meaning unique) from its unusually long aging process. For example, the 1968 vintage was only released in 1991, after 23 years of aging. 

These unique aging practices help produce consistently balanced wines with good acidity, tannins, and a velvety smooth texture. 

Let’s explore all about the Vega Sicilia Unico wine, including the top 10 bottles and prices, investment potential, and best food pairings. We’ll also discover some interesting facts about the Tempos Vega Sicilia winery. 

The 2 Styles of Vega Sicilia Unico Wine

Tempos Vega Sicilia Winery produces two styles of Unico wine:

• The Vega Sicilia Unico Vintage: This wine is produced from 95% Tempranillo (also known as Tinto Fino) and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties only in the best vintage years. 

The wine undergoes oak barrel aging in 20000 liter oak vats for six years and bottle aging for an additional four years. 

• Reserva Especial: The Reserva Especial is produced using reserve wines from previous harvest years. 

This rich, deep wine is also made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Tinto Fino grape varieties. 

10 Best Bottles of Vega Sicilia Unico

Here are the top ten Vega Sicilia Unico bottles:

• 1968 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• NV Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial, Ribera del Duero, Spain
• 1917 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 2011 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 2009 Vega Sicilia Unico, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 2021 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 2015 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 1970 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 1961 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 
• 1937 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 

1. 1968 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($2,048)

This deep red wine has a lively aroma of sweet black plums, cassis, and cherries with dry tannins and cherry liqueur, hazelnut, and licorice flavors. There’s a rich, rounded texture on the palate and a decadent creamy finish. 

2. NV Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($480)

Here we have another delicious Spanish wine that James Suckling scored an impressive 98. Initial notes of oak, tobacco, and vanilla, typical of oak barrel aged wines, are followed by hints of smoke, plum, floral pastille, and licorice flavors and a long, spicy finish. 

3.1917 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($1062)

Made from Tinto Fino and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this is a full-bodied wine with firm tannins, distinctive botanical herb scents, and ripe black fruit notes.

4. 2011 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($367)

Here we have a dry and acidic wine with opulent oak, tobacco, and smoky mineral aromas, hints of lush red fruits, and incredible dusty tannins. 

5. 2009 Vega Sicilia Unico, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($499)

James Suckling gave this fine wine a score of 98, and it’s easy to see why. It’s bold, dry, and structured with a distinct tobacco aroma, oak and vanilla flavor, rich tannin mouthfeel, and a long finish. 

6. 2021 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($450)

Here’s a vibrant red cherry-colored wine with good tannins, richness, and intensity despite its youth. With toasty wood and hazelnut aromas, this wine has nice, clean wood flavors.

7. 2015 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($530)

This is a sophisticated and elegant Spanish red wine with botanical herb scents, hints of red fruits, leather, cigar, and soft oak notes. 

8. 1970 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($1236)

This fine wine has a beautiful bouquet of cherry liqueur, orange, almond, and spices. It’s complex and full-bodied with melting tannins and a lingering floral pastille finish.

9. 1961 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($1042)

Here we have a wine with a woody aroma, hints of ripe black fruit, intense licorice, and cinnamon notes. This wine exhibits good acidity and concentration, with fine tannins and red fruits, hazelnut, herb, and smoky mineral flavor. 

10. 1937 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($1450)

This is another grand Spanish wine from Vega Sicilia, made from Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. With undeniable earthiness, this wine has honey and tobacco aromas, a peppery taste, and a smooth finish. 

Should You Invest in A Bottle of Vega Sicilia Unico?

If you’re looking to invest in Vega Sicilia Unico or other fine wines, it’s best to partner with a reliable wine investment company like Vinovest. With their AI-based platform, you can buy, store, and even sell your wines with ease.

Vega Sicilia Unico’s limited production adds to its high demand worldwide (and particularly in the Asian market.) 

As a result, most Unico wines show significant returns on investment:

• The price of a 1968 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva bottle rose 33% from $1,599 in 2020 to $2,048 in 2021. 
• The Unico 1985 vintage experienced 100% growth over the last four years, from $347 to $695 at present. 

Moreover, Vega Sicilia Único wines perform exceptionally well at auctions:

• In a 2017 Christie's auction, a 12- bottle case of Vega Sicilia Unico 1970 was sold for $12,250. 
• In another Christie's auction in 2020, a lot of Vega Sicilia Unico containing 10 bottles sold for $6,295. 

Delicious Food Pairings With Vega Sicilia Unico 

Vega Sicilia Único wines pair splendidly with beef and lamb dishes like grilled steak and Moroccan spiced lamb cutlets. 

The wine's intensity, acidity, and tannins also bring out the flavor of game dishes like veal stew. 

Interesting Facts About Tempos Vega Sicilia Winery

Here are a few interesting facts about this distinguished Spanish winery:

Who founded the Vega Sicilia Winery?

Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, a Spanish winemaker trained in Bordeaux, France, founded the original estate Bodegas Vega Sicilia in 1864. Today it is owned by Pablo Álvarez Mezquíriz and family.

Who is Vega Sicilia’s current chief winemaker?

Tempos Vega Sicilia’s current chief winemaker is Xavier Ausás.

Where are Vega Sicilia Unico grapes sourced from?

The Tinto Fino and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes used to make Vega Sicilia wines are sourced from Tempos Vega Sicilia’s vineyard lands in the Ribera del Duero and Rioja regions in Spain. 

How is Vega Sicilia Unico made?

After the grapes are pressed, the juice undergoes controlled fermentation in wooden tanks using indigenous yeasts. It then undergoes malolactic fermentation. 

Ready to purchase a bottle of this coveted wine?

A Magnificent Spanish Wine for Your Collection!

If you're looking for a delicious, balanced, and alluringly complex wine, then you'll love a bottle of Vega Sicilia Unico. Not only is it perfect for a special occasion, but it's also an excellent investment option. 

If you're interested in buying a bottle of Vega Sicilia Unico, Merlot, or any other fine wine, check out the Vinovest website. It makes it easy for you to buy, store, and sell investment-worthy wines from across the globe.