Vega Sicilia Unico 2009

Bodegas Vega Sicilia ist die Ikone des spanischen Weinbaus schlechthin. Jahrzehnte bevor andere ernsthaft Weinbau in der Ribera del Duero betrieben, wurden auf der Finca Vega Sicilia in Valbuena de Duero, direkt an der Landstrasse N 122, Weine von Weltformat vinifiziert.
Der Aufwand und der Qualitätsanspruch, mit dem hier Weinherstellung betrieben wird, ist ohne Vergleich. Allein der extensive Fassausbau in unterschiedlichsten Barriques und Fudern, beträgt beim Zweitwein Valbuena No.5 etwa 3 Jahre, beim Unico bis zu 8 Jahre. Dafür eignet sich die Weine hervorragend zur Langzeitlagerung und vor allem die guten Jahrgänge des Unico konservieren die Frucht für 30-50 Jahre.

98/100 PP

"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.
(Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com)