2009 Vega Sicilia - Único (95 pts) @temposvegasicilia

2009 Vega Sicilia - Único (95 pts) @temposvegasicilia @europvin · 🙋‍♂️ What is your favorite Spanish wine❓· ℹ️ Único is the flagship wine of Bodegas Vega Sicilia from their winery in Ribera del Duero, Spain. This wine is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively 80% and 20%, but the blend is not officially disclosed. The average vine age is 35 years old. Native yeast fermentation. The aging process of this wine is quite unique and requires a minimum of 10 years to complete. Aged in a mixture of French and American oak, both in barrels and large vats. One plot will often see multiple types of oak over at least 6 years. Eventually the wines are bottled rested another 3 years before being released. Wines are not released until they are ready and therefore not necessarily released sequentially· 👁 Medium ruby color, garnet rim· 👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of leather, oak, sandalwood, dried strawberry, red plum, prune, black cherry, boysenberry, dried currant, clove, vanilla, puer tea, and earthy· 👄 The wine is dry, medium spicy tannins, medium acidity, medium+ alcohol (14%), and medium+ body. A lot of texture on this wine, Tannins have melted away and are extremely fine. A long length finish of dried red fruit, black tea, and leather· 🔔 Another famous wine that I was happy to try at the W&S; Top 100 in San Francisco. Extremely complex and layered. This would have been a massive wine if it didn't undergo such a laborious elevage at the winery. The oak is present but really deftly integrated into the wine due to its 10 years of age. The fruit is still very much present. This is going to get better with time. Biggest takeaway is that this is quite elegant and worthy of the pedigree. Definitely one of the best wines of Spain.