A visit to Vega-Sicilia

[Christer Byklum]

2006 Pintia, Toro;
Almost opaque, very deep colour. Some spices, pine trees, pine nuts, dark berries, black- and blueberries, some leather and licquorice. Nice balance, good acidity, tannins like falling snow, slightly rustic feel to it, still elegant, strange combination that works very well, slightly hollow mid way and a long length. 88

2005 Alion, Ribera del Duero;
Deep ruby, pure fruit, some spices and licquorice, red berries, blueberries, complex and young. Silky tannins, fresh acidity and superb finesse, very elegant and balanced, medium body and fruit intensity, good length. 88

2004 Vega-Sicilia Valbuena;
Deep ruby, ruby rim. More closed, needs more time to open, some licquorice, blueberries, cherries, blackcurrant's, vanilla, very complex. Fresh and lively, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, perfect balance, very long finish. 91

1999 Vega-Sicilia Unico;
Ruby with ruby rim, chocolate, some coffee, licquorice, cherries and blackcurrant's, leather and vanilla, enormous complexity, cedar touch, intense and beautiful. Fantastic balance and elegant acidity with ripe tannins, needs years and years in the cellar or a really thorough decanting, long finish. 95

For pictures and full article of the visit, visit my blog.

[Alan Zielinski]

Thanks for the notes and I read your full review on your blog. V.S. Unico has been one of my all time favorite wines! although sad to say, never tried the 1962. The 1970 was my oldest experience with this producer. 1989 was my first taste of this wine and I became an instant fan and sought out other vintages. Thanks for the report. Very educational.

[Francois Audouze]

I love VSU and I will visit them for the first time next month.

Here is what I have drunk :
1936 - 1936 - 1940 - 1941 - 1941 - 1941 - 1948 - 1953 - 1953 - 1956 - 1959 - 1960 - 1960 - 1960 - 1962 - 1962 # - 1964 - 1964 - 1964 - 1964 - 1964 - 1965 - 1965 - 1965 - 1966 - 1966 - 1967 - 1967 - 1968 - 1972 - 1972 - 1974 - 1979 - 1980 - 1980 # - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1991 - 1995 - 2004

I have put # when I have drunk the Reserva Especial which I love a lot.

[Jeff Leve]

Color me green with envy from both of you. A visit to Vega Sicilia woud be great. Francois, I am in awe looking at all those older bottles. Bravo my friend...

[Christer Byklum]

Yes, that is quite a list!

62 and 64 are the oldest I've tried, and both are some of the very best wines I've tried, stunning!

The Reserva Especial is also superb!