2014 Unico

Vega Sicilia crafts grapes exclusively from its own vineyards in Ribera del Duero. Owned by the Álvarez family since 1982, Vega Sicilia meticulously tends to ancient vines in the Quintanilla de Onésimo region, cultivating 210 hectares within a vast 1,000-hectare estate alongside pine groves, oak forests and cork oak trees. Their wines, planted in clay-limestone soils, undergo extended aging in barrels and "tinos" (large oak vats) for up to five years, followed by additional years in bottle. The estate is renowned for its cooperage and will soon be supplied by the oak trees they have planted on the property. In the realm of wines, Vega Sicilia Único, for which Tempranillo is blended with 5-6% dashes of Cabernet Sauvignon, comes from over 40-year-old vines. Its unique style marries a sense of place and winemaking nous and promises exceptional aging potential. Meanwhile, Valbuena has a more serene aging profile that captures the essence of Ribera del Duero. The Alvarez family also owns Bodega Pintia in Toro and Oremos in Tokaj. In Rioja, they have teamed with Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild for the creation of Macán.