“Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the world’s great red wines”
Jay Miller
Vega Sicilia is Spain’s most famous wine and it competes with the greatest wines of France and Italy for pride of place in the Pantheon of the greatest wines in the world. Their flagship Unico is world class wine and a major player in drinking cellars and investment portfolios. Following on from the 2004 Vega Unico release, we are delighted to be able to offer the newest vintage of Vega Unico, the 2007. Our first release price of £460 for a case of three bottles, makes it the cheapest vintage on the market!
As the pre-eminent producer of Spain, Vega Sicilia do not always adhere to the ten year ageing rule for their flagship wine Unico. As such they have decided to release the 2007 vintage before the 2005. The reason for this is that after rigorous tastings it became apparent that the 2007, although very young, is drinking better than the 2005, which will require longer ageing. This is axiomatic of the 2007 vintage across Europe, although the Ribera del Duero region is certainly a warmer region than most and in such vintages the wines take on a greater elegance, dare I say femininity. Moreover, Vega Sicilia are one of the most technologically advanced estates in the world.
Vega Unico 2007 was yielded at 22 hl/ha, which is famously low, harvested from the best parcels at 800 metres altitude. This has resulted in the 2007 displaying very good concentration, combined with Vega’s famous elegance. The 2007 offers a wonderful opportunity to pay less than usual, yet secure a wine that can be drunk and enjoyed now, although we should not be mistaken, the 2007 has the complexity to age and improve its already complex aromas: Vega Sicilia do not make Unicos that cannot age for decades!
Vega Unico is truly one of those wines worth buying on release, rising in price in the first year and continuing to increase after years in bottle. The Estate produces a meagre 6,000 cases of Unico a year and the wine has a striking vintage premium. When the wine exceeds 20 years in bottle it is nearly impossible to buy and prices of leading vintages rise above £300 a bottle: the legendary 1970 vintage trades above £500 a bottle and the 1962, a candidate for one of the greatest wines ever made, costs upwards of £800 a bottle. It is worth noting also that Pingus, Ribera del Duero’s other truly great wine, trades above £500 a bottle on release.
Unico’s Vintage Premium points (Wine Advocate):
2007, *NT, £460
2004, 97 – £495
2003, 94 – £480
2002, 93 – £495
2000, 95 – £500
1999, 92 – £550
1998, 98 – £740
1996, 96 – £690
1995, 97 – £870
*Not tasted
The Unico blend combines Tempranillo with a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, thereby producing a true synthesis between Spain’s leading variety and the best of Bordeaux. The winery was founded in 1864 by Don Lecanda y Chaves, who planted Bordeaux grape varieties, which are still used today and since 1982 the winery has been owned by the Alvarez family. The vineyards express the local terroir in its most sublime form, with many vines more than 100 years old, and amazingly their signature wines, Reserva Especial and Unico are harvested at less than one ton per acre.
Vega Sicilia Unico 2007 Pre-release, 3×75 – £460 or £559.38 incl VAT and duty
Vega Sicilia spares no expense on Unico, the 2007 saw 14 months in large oak barrels followed by 24 months in new barriques, before being transferred to old barriques for 17 months and then eventually 22 months in large wooden vats; that is truly painstaking winemaking. The outcome is a wine that retains a fresh acidity that balances with the wines’ ample alcohol. The wine displays flavours of pomegranate, tangerine and berries on the palate. The tannic structure is ripe and adds a supportive frame. The time spent in new oak provides a delectable bouquet of coconut and spices, the time spent in old casks delivers a slight oxidative evolution resulting in notes of thyme, pine nuts, dill, rosemary and chalk. This is one of the most elegant Unicos to date, balanced, feminine and aromatic.
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