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Unico 1970

Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Ribera el Duero, Spain

Bodegas Vega Sicilia
Ribera el Duero Spain
  • 96
    Points
  • The 886 best
    of 3 290 954
    wines globally
  • 22 Pros of
    22 recommend
    this wine
824 96
  • Taste
  • Moment

  • Country ranking ?

    60

  • Producer ranking ?

    14

  • Decanting time

    2h

  • When to drink

    now to 2025

  • Food Pairing

    rosted veal

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The Story

Of the 1,000 hectares making up the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are used for wine growing, and there are 19 soil-types divided for management purposes into 52 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the flow of the river Duero and the passage of time have been vital in forming these soils.

70 of these hectares are employed to produce Unico. A unique, magical estate which, along with extraordinary management of the vineyard, ...

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Wine Information

Vega Sicilia Unico 1970

GRAPE VARIETIES:
TINTO FINO: 70%
CABERNET SAUVIGNON: 20%
MERLOT, y MALBEC 10%

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS:

WINTER: Cold, high rain fall.
SUMMER: Warm. Variations in temperature from night to day.
HARVEST: Early collection. Warm weather.

HISTORY:

After alcoholic fermentation, malolactic took place in large French oak vats over 5 years. It was then placed in barrels. The rest in bottle until commercialisa...

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Average Bottle Price

2020 2015 2012 2011 2010 2005 2000 1995
766€ +12.6% 680€ +5.4% 645€ +4.2% 619€ +24.3% 498€ +56.1% 319€ +30.2% 245€ +50.3% 163€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Full

ending

Long and Flavorful

flavors

Truffles, Coffee and Tobacco

nose

Complex, Refined and Closed

recommend

Yes

taste

High tannin, Concentrated, Complex, Well-structured, Rich, Vigor, Elegant and Sweet

Written Notes

This handsome magnum was purchased in Spain a few years ago. The bottle looked like new, and the level was by the neck. Good, bright and deep colour, no signs of maturation. It has a very “Unico” personality, with an original, sweet fruit, truffles and American oak bouquet. A very concentrated, powerful and rich mouth with a long and tannic aftertaste.
 In general, Unicos need a lot of air to open, both after decanting and then in the glass. I decanted this magnum three hours before tasting, which afterwards we thought wasn’t enough. After five “long” hours it opened fully and became very velvety in the mouth. A classic wine that can still age many decades.

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  • 95p
I didn’t get much time to take an in-depth note of the Krug, but I did for the 1970 Vega Sicilia Unico, which was still very young despite being 44! The Rev commented that it was ‘not as exotic and as open as other vintages,’ and 1981, 1973 and 1962 were mentioned. However, that was not to detract from the 1970, which was deep, earthy, leathery and creamy. Vanilla sex was the flavor that summed up its awesomeness (97p).
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  • 97p

Layered and complex, this Unico is incredibly youthful given its age. Gorgeous, filled with savoury herbs and sweet oak flavours and a persistent finish. Drink 2014-2030 Alc 13%

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  • 96p
Deepish ruby, thin brick rim. Rich nose, chocolate, blueberries, figs, leather, scented and layered, complex and refined nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, nuanced, fruity, detailed, gorgeous nose, reminds me of 1970 Château Latour but with kinder texture, nuanced, rich and very long. 96
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  • 96p
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Information

Origin

Valbuena, Ribera el Duero

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Investment potential

Very Good

Glass time

1h

Inside Information

eRobertParker.com #202
Aug 2012		 Neal Martin 97 Drink: 2012 - 2030 $654-$999
For many years, the 1970 Unico was the greatest Spanish wine that I had ever tasted, and although this was not the same caliber as the previous perfect example, it remains a fabulous wine. It is a blend of 70% Tinto Fino, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot and Malbec and aged for ten years in barriques. It has a thrilling Bordeaux-like personality on the nose that is more aloof than other vintages. The Cabernet component in the blend is pronounced, forming the backbone and austerity of this wine. However, you cannot deny its power and its breeding, or indeed its obdurate, masculine finish that demands respect. This is a Unico you have to look up to, perhaps the sister of Chateau Latour in this same year. 94,500 bottles produced. Drink now-2030+.
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