Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial (2020 Release 08/09/10) (RP98)

Country:             Spain
Region:               Ribera del Duero Rating:                RP98, WS95, JS97
Grape Variety:   95% Tempranillo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Type of Wine:    Red Wine
Bottle Size:        750ml

By Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 98
To be released in 2020, the NV Único Reserva Especial 2020 Release is a non-vintage blend of 59 barrels from 2008, 2009 and 2010, mostly Tempranillo with some Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has been getting closer to the style of the Único, and the blend is from vintages very close to the current release of Único, but somehow this year I think the blend has added some complexity to the bottled wine, which has the heart and soul of the 2010 vintage. In fact, they told me they are keeping more wine to have some older vintages to blend for this Reserva Especial, because in the last few years, the wine has been a little too young for the style that it used to have in the past. This has finesse and some of the Burgundian style of the blends of yesteryear. 17,071 bottles and 214 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2016.

James Suckling 97
Love the complexity and intensity on the nose with cedar, tobacco, dried red pepper and dark fruit. Full body. Dense and very layered with chocolate-milk, vanilla and spice undertones to the ripe fruit. Goes on for minutes. A rich and decadent wine. A blend of 2008, 2009 and 2010. Drink now, but even better in 2022 and onwards.

Wine Spectator 95
This generous red offers rich flavors of plum, currant, licorice, tea and forest floor. Well-integrated tannins and orange peel acidity keep this focused, in a traditional style. Harmonious and long. Tinto Fino and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2030.