2009 vega sicilia, unico, ribera del duero
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Why We're Buying
If you want the best Spanish wine, Vega Sicilia Unico is your entry point. The centuries-old winery is home to Unico, widely regarded as one of the finest and most valuable red wines. In fact, it's the one Spanish wine traded on the Liv-ex 1000 index.
Critics Scores
Decanter
Given how structured Único is for the long term, this great 2009, the latest vintage to be releases, is delightfully approachable now. On the nose there are delicate notes of red fruits, vanilla and cedar, while in the mouth it’s equally elegant and gloriously supple, with remarkably well-handled tannins. Overall, there's the keynote freshness, which sustains the superbly long finish. Says Gonzalo Iturriaga: ‘This is what Vega Sicilia is all about. It's this complexity, this youth, and also this capacity to age.’
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I tasted a bottle of the 2009 Único blind and was taken by the freshness, the red fruit notes and the Burgundian-like characteristics of this vintage, which on paper was quite warm and dry. I also tasted the 2009 Valbuena, which is always more approachable, and was blown away by its aromatics. With time in the glass the Único opened up and got closer to the character of Valbuena but with more depth and clout, while showing extremely elegant. I tasted it again in the context of all the wines from the group, and it delivered all that I saw when I tasted it blind. It takes some time to unfurl its aromatic palette, and it feels young and somewhat undeveloped, younger than it is. It has a touch that made me think of the old vintages of Único on the nose but with very polished tannins and a soft mouthfeel that provides elegance. This is a wine that ages for no less than ten years before it's released. 2009 seems like a great vintage for Vega Sicilia, much better than what I anticipated. It should develop nicely in bottle. 74,274 bottles, 3,390 magnums, 209 double magnums and 22 imperials were produced. It has been in bottle since June 2015.
Wine Enthusiast
The warmth of the 2009 vintage is apparent from the start—the nose is warm and murky, with raisiny fruit. On the palate, this is thick and rich, with prune notes. Flavors of cassis, prune, raisin and chocolate are smooth and rich, while this is dense on the finish. If you’re looking for suave elegance, it’s not here.
Wine Spectator
This red is rich yet vibrant, dense yet graceful. Cherry and plum flavors are backed by forest floor, cedar, tobacco and mineral notes, supported by muscular, well-integrated tannins that give way to a spicy, slightly bitter finish. Complex and harmonious. Tinto Fino and Cabernet Sauvignon.