Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5 2014 (RP96)

Country:             Spain
Region:               Ribera del Duero Rating:                RP96, JS96, WE94, WS93
Grape Variety:  100% Tempranillo
Type of Wine:   Red Wine
Bottle Size:        750ml

By Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 96
The 2014 Valbuena, mostly Tempranillo with some 5% Merlot fermented by plot, making a selection from their 210 hectares of vineyards, and then matured in a combination of barriques and larger 20,000-liter oak vats. 2014 is a spectacular vintage of Valbuena, and it reminds me of the 2010, perhaps a tad more elegant and less powerful. It's expressive and has floral notes on the nose along with wild berries, herbs and a spicy and smoky touch that's nicely integrated. It has good complexity and nuance, and the palate is medium to full-bodied and intense, with pungent flavors and great length and persistence. Truly spectacular! 184,684 bottles, 5,578 magnums and some large formats produced. It was bottled in June 2016.

James Suckling 96
The ripeness is impressive here. A lot of work was done in the vineyard in 2014 to get yields right. It delivers darker fruit aromas and flavors, black cherries and plums, dark chocolate and licorice. The palate is deeply fleshy with rich blueberries, cassis and dark roasting herbs. Very deep-set, powerful black fruit with a deeper tannin texture. The power and freshness here is extraordinary. Deeply layered. Superb.

Wine Enthusiast 94
Cuddly berry aromas include a hint of raisin. The palate echoes the nose, meaning this is full and ripe, with smooth tannins supporting raisiny softness. Cassis, exotic spice notes and baked berry flavors are lush on the finish. This seems ready for near-term drinking; enjoy now through 2030.

Wine Spectator 93
This solid red delivers ripe fruit, toasty oak, lively acidity and well-integrated tannins. Currant and blackberry flavors mingle with espresso, black olive and loamy earth notes. Harmonious, in the modern style. Tinto Fino and Merlot.