VEGA SICILIA
RIBERA DEL DUERO, SPAIN
Why Buy: Vega Sicilia is the most collected wine in all of Spain, though as the most ardent collectors well know, bottles are confoundingly hard to obtain. The lineup of wines we’re bringing you today includes two 98-pointers and a 97-pointer, and stretches back 10 years. Estate-grown, high-elevation collectibles, aged for many years at their famed cellars in Ribera del Duero, and ready-to-drink right now, they all demonstrate impeccable oak integration, structured yet silky tannins, and a layered complexity that unfolds gradually, rewarding patient appreciation.
What They're Saying: Both the Unico Reserva Especial 2024 NV and the Vega Sicilia Único 2014 garnered 98 points from The Wine Advocate, with the former winning plaudits for its "complex and elegant” character, its "superb texture,” its "very fine tannins,” and "long and lingering taste,” while the latter was delineated as a “fine-boned, elegant but also powerful” wine, "more like the Únicos from yesteryear. It has to be one of the finest vintages of recent times.” James Suckling weighed in on the Valbuena 2019, which he awarded 97 points, praising its “superb mouthfeel and finesse,” saying that it offers “refinement with depth and focus."
Our Tasting Notes: The crown jewel, Vega Sicilia Único 2014 is a tour de force of complexity and refinement (blessed, as always, with those ultra-fine tannins). Hailed as one of the finest vintages in recent memory, it showcases a return to the more classical, ornamented style of Único. Similarly, the Único Reserva Especial NV 2024 release, a masterful blend of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 vintages, epitomizes the house style, with its intricate layers of flavor, polished texture, and remarkable persistence on the palate. The Valbuena 5 2019, while more approachable in its youth, doesn't fall far behind its elder siblings. It captivates with its aromatic intensity, offering a refined and focused expression of the terroir, along with richness and punch.
The Story: In our instant-gratification world, Vega Sicilia is a welcome reminder that some things shouldn't be rushed. As Christie’s has noted, "Time turns differently at Bodegas Vega Sicilia," with wines rivaling the aging potential of Château Latour or Lafite Rothschild. In the sun-drenched hills of Ribera del Duero, Vega Sicilia stands as a monument to patience and perfectionism. Founded in 1864 by the visionary Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, this estate has not just defined Spanish wine-making — it has rewritten the rules of crafting world-class wine. Chaves' bold dream was to rival the great châteaux of Bordeaux. He planted not only the native Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). but also imported Bordeaux varieties — a fusion that would become the estate's signature. Under the Herrero family's stewardship, Vega Sicilia embraced revolutionary practices like small oak barrel aging and estate bottling, elevating it to global renown. Today, Pablo Álvarez continues this legacy of meticulous quality. The flagship Único spends a decade maturing before release — a practice considered folly elsewhere, but at Vega Sicilia, it's the cost of perfection. This obsession extends to every detail. When cork taint threatened their wines, Álvarez planted 50,000 cork trees on the estate. It's this control that sets Vega Sicilia apart. The estate has expanded its magic touch beyond Único. Valbuena 5, their "second wine," outclasses most first growths. Alión brings a modern style to Ribera del Duero, while Pintia explores Toro's muscular wines. The Macán project in Rioja, a collaboration with Benjamin de Rothschild, bridges Old World titans.
The Aging Process: These wines spend more time in barrels than some people spend in college. Vega Sicilia employs a mix of both French and American oak, with some wines seeing the inside of a barrel for nearly a decade. It's not winemaking – it's wine-raising.
What to Pair Them With: All of them will go great with a juicy, savory ribeye, a pot of slow-braised lamb shanks, or a board of ripe aged manchego, but make sure, as well, to give yourself the great pleasure of drinking them solo. Pour a glass, find a comfy chair, and let the wine do the talking.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured – your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2025. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, September 30th, 2024.
