A Rich Ribera del Duero with a Hauntingly Complex Nose

Considered the "First Growth of Spain," the prestigious Vega Sicilia is located in the Ribera del Duero appellation of Spain. The estate was founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves who had the idea to plant Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec) alongside the native Tempranillo and produce with them grapes that would stand out among its neighbours. In 1982, the estate was acquired by the Alvarez family who have invested heavily into bringing the quality of the wines to a new plateau. "Unico" (meaning "unique") is the estate's flagship wine. The Unico 2004 by Vega Sicilia is a blend of 87% Tempranillo and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines grow in soils of fine colluvial deposits from the hillside with small limestone fragrants. Deep down, abundant quartz gravel can be found in a main sandy soil. The must goes through controlled fermentation using exclusively native yeasts in wooden tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation also in oak. This famous Ribera del Duero red blend has one of the longest and most complex aging programs of any wine in the world. The 2014 vintage spends 15 months in 20,000 L vats, followed by 25 months in new barrels, 17 months in used barrels and another 26 months in large oak vats. Before its commercial releases it is also aged in bottle for an additional 3 years. 2004 will be remembered as one of the great vintages in Ribera del Duero, with no frost, perfect flowering and temperatures perfect for the ideal ripening of the fruit.

The Unico 2004 by Vega Sicilia displays in the glass a dark purple-crimson color. The wine reveals a hauntingly beautiful and complex nose, a symphony of brambly black fruit (blackberry and cassis) notes, perfectly blended with cedar wood and tobacco. On the palate, this epic Ribera del Duero is full-bodied, pouring forth intense flavors of black cherry compote, licorice, white pepper and minerals, along with hint of warm tar. Showing a very nice balance between power and elegance, there are also signs of perfect ripeness. The ending offers a lingering, focused finish with gentle tannins. Enjoy between 2018-2029.

Wine Advocate-Parker :
"Moving on to the big guns, the 2004 Unico is truly spectacular, in line with the 1970 and 1994. It's a blend of 87% Tempranillo and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unico has a unique long aging, in the case of the 2004, 15 months in 20,000-liter vats, 25 month in new barrels, 17 months in used barrels and a further 26 months in the big oak vats. It has complex notes of tobacco, cedar wood and blackberries, and shows very good balance between power and elegance as well as perfect ripeness. It has a similar profile to the 1994, but there's ten years difference in experience and technical knowledge. There is nuance; there is detail, filigree, balance, harmony and complexity. There is a fine texture. In short, it is a great, world-class wine, a superb vintage for Unico. 87,500 bottles, 2,229 magnums, 150 double magnums and 5 Imperials were filled with this extraordinary wine. This is approachable now, but it's a shame to drink so soon. It will age for a very long time, as it has the balance and harmony to do so, and it will develop more complexity with time. Drink 2016-2029. But if the single harvest Unico is fantastic, the multi-vintage blend could be even better as it also plays with the benefit of extra aging time."

Vega Sicilia : Unico 2004