Community Tasting Note

Cailles wrote:

Monday, September 11, 2023 - Vega Sicilia Unico Vertical: 10x Vega Sicilia Unico (1985-2006). 7 vintages of Gran Reserva, 3x Reserva Especial. A few conclusions: A) The quality was high in all bottles. Increased complexity and precision, a fine structural framework with silky tannins, pronounced acidity and very good balance. B) The family resemblance across all bottles is high. Unico has a strong and unique DNA with the freshness and tension of a good Bordeaux combined with the softness and silkiness of Tempranillo and a unique flavor profile with lots of fresh blueberries, garrigue, bacon and gentle coffee notes. C) Maturity was well controlled, even in hot years. No hint of over-ripeness. D) The wines are meant to age and certainly need almost 20 years before reaching a first drinking window. The 30 year old bottles seemed young and only the 40 year old ones showed tertiary aromas. E) The quality was high across the board with no weak bottles, but the best wines were the tertiary 1985 (96pts), 1986 (97pts) and 1987 (95pts). The 2006 (95pts) is very promising.

TN: A bit muted on the nose. Licorice, earthy minerality, crushed rocks. On the palate fresh blue fruit, fresh minty herbs, minerality. This is still young but alluring and also fresh and round. With time this gets more complex and rounder. Very promising - 94/95pts.

Decanting: A quick double decant, then the wine rested back in the bottle without cork for roughly five to six hours. This could have needed two hours in a decanter.

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