Vega Sicilia, Alion, Ribera del Duero

Vega Sicilia, in Ribera del Duero, builds its reds on Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) from Finca Vega Sicilia at 700–900 metres, and releases them only after long ageing. Every wine starts in small French and American barrels; after a year each barrel is assigned. Único, Tinto Fino with a minority of Cabernet Sauvignon, spends about five and a half years in wood, 18 months in barrels then 22,000-litre casks. Valbuena 5º, aged five years between barrel and bottle, takes all the Merlot (94% Tinto Fino, 6% Merlot in 2016) and gets a second year in large vats; the estate gives it some 30 years. Único Reserva Especial blends several Único vintages.

Appellation

Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain

Vineyards

Finca Vega Sicilia, 700–900 m altitude, average vine age ~35 years (Valbuena)

Grapes

Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Wines

Único; Valbuena 5º; Único Reserva Especial (multi-vintage)

Style

Único ~5.5 years in wood (18 months small barrels, then 22,000-litre casks); Valbuena first year 75% French/25% American oak, second year in large vats

Website

https://www.temposvegasicilia.com

Sources: temposvegasicilia.com, Wikipedia, wineanorak.com