2011 Único, Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Tempranillo
- Jancis Robinson MW
- 18++/20
- Luis Gutiérrez
- 94/100
- Sarah Jane Evans MW
- 95/100
- Josh Raynolds
- 96/100
- James Suckling
- 98/100
Free standard delivery on orders over £125
In Bond purchases can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse
Covered by our quality guarantee
Description
The youthful, red brick colour of the 2011 Único immediately suggests that this is still a mere infant, even at ten years of age. Aromas of strawberries, autumnal leaves and fresh saddle leather mingle with darker notes of bramble fruit and a hint of blackcurrants, sweet spice and dried camomile flowers. The palate is lean and tight; there is generosity evident with more maturing notes of sweeter strawberries, leather and cured meat in the background, but these will need time to shine through.
The tannins are excellent, pin-prick and almost imperceptible at first; however, the lightest of grips on the palate increases with tasting, and the tannins are very clearly present on the finish. This is a very subtle but incredibly beautiful Único, about lightness of touch and a perfect representation of its terroir over anything else. It feels like the light itself, with pure energy and such delicate characteristics that they almost evade one's grasp at this stage. However, that superb, understated yet intense, deep core of flavour on the endless finish makes it truly spectacular.
Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd
Critics reviews
95% Tinto Fino, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Frost-free spring, warm but regular growing season and ‘excellent’ vintage conditions; harvest 15–28 September. Bottled June 2017: 88,288 bottles, 3,505 magnums, 318 double magnums, 60 Impériales and 3 Salmanazars. From magnum.
Mellow nose and on the palate, there’s a sensation rather akin to chewing charcoal—hums along on the finish. Like the 2013, this is very much a wine for the future. Lots of fine tannins.
Drink 2025 - 2050
The 2011 Único ended up among my least favourite vintages of recent times, at least the magnum I tasted and in comparison with the 2013 and 2009 and even the 2007 a very challenging vintage that showed better). Despite the warm year which they have always said they found cooler than 2010), the wine is "only" 14% alcohol, which is quite moderate for the last few years when the wines routinely reach 14.5%. I found the wine quite tannic and lacking the charm I expected in this cuvée. Perhaps with more time?
The grapes were picked relatively early, between September 15th and 28th. 3,505 magnums were filled in June 2017.
Drink now until 2033
Vibrant primary aromas of roses, oranges and fresh herbs lead into a wine full of redcurrant freshness. While 2011 is a more concentrated vintage, the wine is impressively elegant and delicate. It can be enjoyed soon for its structure, yet it will undoubtedly improve with age.
Drink 2025 - 2045
Deep, shimmering ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, vanilla, pipe tobacco, exotic spices, cola and potpourri. Deeply concentrated and energetic on the palate, it offers smoke-laced black currant, cherry liqueur, spice cake, and mocha flavours that display outstanding clarity and pick up a candied violet nuance on the back half. Polished, steadily building tannins frame the finish, which hangs on with outstanding mineral- and floral-driven tenacity.
Drink 2025 - 2036
95% Tempranillo and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Intensity and concentration mark this, with a deep core of hazelnuts, ripe blackberries, praline, chocolate orange and some iron. It’s full-bodied with very finely textured yet muscular tannins. Well framed. Tasted from magnum.
Drinkable now, but with a long future ahead.
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.
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Delivery and Quality Guarantee
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Free delivery on orders over £125.
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Wines and spirits purchased In Bond from Berry Bros. & Rudd can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse.
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Every bottle sold by Berry Bros. & Rudd is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine or spirit is corked or faulty, we will replace or refund it.
Registered company 05492886. BB&R Limited, trading as Berry Bros. & Rudd, 3 St James's Street, London, SW1A 1EG. All rights reserved. You must be 18 or over to order. Calls may be recorded.
