Vega Sicilia
Today, Vega Sicilia stands as a legendary wine producer deeply rooted in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. With a history dating back to 1864 when it was founded by Don Eloy Lecanda—over 100 years before many other well-known estates in the area began producing wine—Vega Sicilia boasts the region's lengthiest legacy.
In 1982, the Alvarez family took over the estate, ensuring its preservation and modernization. Despite substantial investments in modern winemaking technology and expertise, the family has prioritized maintaining the traditions behind Vega Sicilia's wines.
Pablo Álvarez, as the director and chairman, has struck a meticulous balance between tradition and innovation, showcasing a profound passion for winemaking and an in-depth understanding of the region's terroir. This combination has resulted in a series of extraordinary vintages.
Vega Sicilia spans an impressive 1000 hectares, with approximately 210 hectares dedicated to vineyards. Primarily cultivating the local Tempranillo grape, supplemented by small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the carefully selected vineyards extend across several small parcels with varying soil conditions, contributing to the wines' complexity and depth.
Wines from Vega Sicilia
Here is an overview of the most popular wines from Vega Sicilia.
Unico
Vega Sicilia Unico stands out as the estate's most iconic wine. This majestic wine experience is a must-have for enthusiasts of Spanish wine. Produced only in exceptional years, Unico matures in oak barrels for a minimum of 6 years before continuing to age in the bottle for several more years. It is not uncommon for a bottle of Unico to be more than a decade old when released, a testament to the prolonged maturation process that enhances the wine's complexity and depth, in line with Vega Sicilia's quality standards and philosophy.
Tasting profile of Vega Sicilia Unico:
Dark berries and black fruit: Unico is renowned for its intensity of dark berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and black cherries. The fresh fruit character is complemented by deeper tertiary notes of dried and stewed berries, creating a dense and profound sensation as the fruit evolves layer by layer.
Spice and vanilla: Subtle spicy characteristics and tones of vanilla from barrel aging contribute to the wine's complexity.
Unico Reserve Especial
The estate also produces Vega Sicilia Unico Reserve Especial, an exclusive wine crafted from a special blend of the best Unico vintages.
Tasting profile of Vega Sicilia Unico Reserve Especial:
Blend of vintages: This unique wine is a blend of different vintages carefully selected by Vega Sicilia's winemaker, providing the wine with the best possible foundation—a combination of the best from various years, resulting in remarkable depth and complexity.
Elegant maturity: Unico Reserve Especial matures in the winery's cellars for many years, resulting in incredible harmony and integration of both flavor notes and tannins. The extended maturation develops the wine's character in a sublime way, ensuring it delivers the ultimate experience upon release.
Complex layers of flavor: The tasting profile includes a palette of dark berries, spicy notes, and subtle vanilla and smoky elements from barrel aging.
Silky smooth tannins: Like all Vega Sicilia wines, the tannins are well-balanced, providing the wine with a noble structure without drying out the palate.
Long finish: Similar to the regular Unico, Unico Reserve Especial also boasts a persistent and memorable finish, indicating that this wine is truly something special.
This extraordinary wine is a rare gem in the world of wine, and its limited availability makes it a sought-after find for collectors and wine enthusiasts looking to experience the best Vega Sicilia has to offer.
Valbuena
Valbuena serves as a more accessible alternative to Unico. Despite a shorter maturation period, it is generally available at a younger age, offering the following characteristics in an elegant interplay:
Tasting profile of Vega Sicilia Valbuena:
Fruity and elegant: Valbuena expresses a more fruity character with notes of red and dark berries, such as raspberries and blueberries.
Softer tannins: Valbuena's tannins are more polished, giving the wine a soft and highly inviting structure.
Fresh and vibrant flavor nuances: Valbuena is known for its youthful vitality and freshness, expressed through a more prominent acidity that awakens the taste buds and contributes to a fresher fruit expression.
Other Wines from Vega Sicilia:
In addition to Unico and Valbuena, Vega Sicilia produces other wines that may not be as famous but still offer great value for money and exciting tasting experiences.
Alion: Positioned as the estate's more modern approach to Ribera del Duero, Alion, exclusively using Tempranillo, is often compared to Flor de Pingus from Dominio de Pingus, as they are in a similar price range. Alion is characterized by its depth, intensity, and very fruity character. Alion should certainly not be underestimated and develops beautifully with aging.
Pintia: Produced in the Toro region, this wine is made from the local Tinta de Toro grape and expresses a powerful and concentrated style with both more robust tannins and intense fruit. A different but very exciting addition to the Vega Sicilia portfolio.
Macan and Macan Clasico: These wines represent Vega Sicilia's collaboration with the highly renowned 1st Cru Classé Château Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux. Both wines are made in the Rioja region, slightly north of Ribera del Duero in Spain, and present a very elegant expression of Tempranillo.
Vega Sicilia is a true gem in Spanish wine, and its high standards and dedication to quality have secured its place as one of the world's most renowned wine producers.
Today, the winery stands as a bastion in Spanish wine production, representing a proud heritage spanning over a century. With the Alvarez family's dedication and deep respect for traditions, there is no doubt that this producer will continue to amaze and delight wine enthusiasts for many generations to come.