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2003 Único, Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Tempranillo
Ready - at best
(Drink 2012 - 2037)
- Luis Gutiérrez
- 94/100
Product: 20038004745
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Description
I enjoyed the enticing aromas that escaped the glass long before tasting the 2003 Unico. It seems almost criminal to open a bottle at this point as Unico needs at least two decades of ageing (a decade at Vega and a decade in the cellar). Dense, irresitable, with layers of herbs de provance, linear black fruit and a minty freshness. The lace-like finesse is surprising considering the heat of the vintage and the finish lasted 45+ seconds.
Unico (meaning ‘Unique’) is the signature wine of the estate and only released in outstanding vintages. Produced in 2003 with 92% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon the wine is matured for 25 months in old wooden vats, followed by 17 months in new barrels, 10 months in semi-new barrels and 22 months in large wooden vats. For the remainder of the time it is aged in bottle and nearly released 10 years after the vintage. Its fine silky structure caresses the palate, while continuing to give a nuanced array of delicate flavours; fragrant roses, black earthy notes, soft blackberries, white pepper are all framed by a gentle freshness.
Vega Sicilia, Spain’s ‘first growth’ and most prestigious wine estate, was founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, who arrived from Bordeaux with cuttings of local grapes and planted them, together with Spain’s signature grape Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Vega Sicilia has founded its success on its meticulous wine-producing practices; in the vineyard it applies low yields, aided by green harvesting and a painstaking grape selection.
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2003
Alcohol % 14%
Maturity Ready - at best
(2012 - 2037)
Grape List Tempranillo
Body Full Bodied
Producer Vega Sicilia
Critics reviews
Luis Gutiérrez 94/100
Vega Sicilias 2003 Unico, mainly Tempranillo with a balancing 8% of Cabernet Sauvignon, was aged in wood for nearly seven years before being bottled, starting with 15 months in large oak vats, followed by 25 months in new barriques, before being transferred to used ones for another 17 months and ending its elevage with a further 22 months in those large wood vats again. As I uncork the bottle, the aroma reminds me of a classical Tempranillo, with some dill notes from the American oak and a minty hint from the Cabernet. It actually makes me think of traditional Rioja, believe it or not.
The wine doesn't show the heat of the vintage, and manages to transmit a general sensation of balance and finesse that is quite remarkable for the characteristics of the year. The aim here was to avoid the confited and raisiny notes of the fruit and the spirity character so common in that vintage. It starts off slightly lactic, with notes of cafe au lait, coconut and cola. With a bit of time, it turns more flowery and shows more red fruit. It is very aromatic, with plenty dry herbs, thyme and rosemary, even pine nuts, a bit of resin and some cured meat, and overall has a very complex nose. The mouth is a little more transparent toward the heat of the vintage, it is powerful and full-bodied, but manages to keep freshness. The minty note is there, with some hints of chalk that make it very tasty. It feels briary and opulent.
A success over the vintage conditions, it already shows some signs of complexity, which points at an approachable Unico. Even though it can be drunk now, it will get more polished and integrated with a few years in bottle. 76,050 bottles and 2,616 magnums were filled on the low-ish side for Unico), but the magnums will be sold later; they are currently offering 2000 in magnum and 1999 in double-magnum.
Drink 2013 - 2023
About this wine
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero has transformed from a little-known region into one of Spain’s most celebrated wine heartlands in just a few decades. Once recognised solely as the home of Vega Sicilia, it now boasts over 200 ambitious wineries crafting some of the country’s most powerful, polished, and age-worthy reds. Today, Ribera stands shoulder to shoulder with Rioja, offering wines of equal prestige but with a distinct, thrilling personality of their own.