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Founded in 1864, Vega Sicilia has always maintained a reputation for producing unique, world-class wines that are concentrated, ageworthy, generous and elegant. Vega Sicilia wines taste like no other wines because no wines are made in quite the same way. The blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and occasionally some white grapes is unique. The vines are extremely old; the original Merlot and Malbec plantings were Iberia's first. The Vega Sicilia cooper still constructs some of the winery's barrels from oak that has been air-dried on premises for as long as three years. The 'Unico' is aged for 7 years in wood, with a combination of old wooden vats and new oak casks, and is sought after by collectors around the globe.
Wine Advocate
The 1998 Unico is purple-colored with a complex bouquet of wood smoke, violets, Asian spices, mineral, blueberry, and assorted black fruits. This is followed by a full-bodied, dense, loaded wine with gobs of sweet fruit, great concentration, and layers of flavor. It will continue to evolve for another 5-7 years and drink well through 2040+.
Score: 98.
—Jay Miller,
February
2008.
International Wine Cellar
Ruby-red. Exotic aromas of red and dark fruits, iron, dried flowers, cured meat and tobacco are strongly reminiscent of a top vintage of Chateau Haut-Brion. Luscious cherry and cassis flavors display a superb balance of depth and structure, offering noteworthy power but a weightless quality that is simply uncanny. Candied flowers, smoky minerals and vanilla bean add complexity and extend through an endless finish. I'd love to sneak this into a tasting of 1998 Saint-Emilion and Graves wines in ten years or so.
Score: 96.
—Josh Raynolds,
July
2008.
Wine Spectator
This polished red shows cedar and sandalwood aromas, with flavors of dried cherry, coffee, tobacco, mineral and spices. Solid tannins are well-integrated, and this is still fresh and lively. Harmonious, in the traditional style. Drink now through 2014. 6,700 cases made.
Score: 91.
—Thomas Matthews,
October
31,
2008.
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