Wine Critic
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva Ribera del Duero 1968
The Wine Advocate
There were considerable issues with the 1968 Único in this tasting. One of the magnums had lost the cork, which had fallen into the wine, presumably during transport, and the wine was badly oxidized. They had brought two magnums of each vintage, and the second one of 1968 was badly corked. That was a bummer, because 1968 was also one of the greatest years from Vega Sicilia, and I was eager to try it from magnums. I've had a number of regular bottles, and they have been consistently great, lively and even young, with marked old Vega character. Given the exclusive audience that was difficult to gather together, they did the impossible to find another magnum, but it wouldn't make it in time for the tastings. But they did have a regular bottle that they poured between all the tasters; it was just enough for a taste and to realize that this is still on form and has life ahead of it. It was produced with 70% Tinto Fino, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, Malbec and Albillo (white) and bottled at a good 13.5% alcohol. 45,300 bottles and 2,000 magnums produced. Artwork by Ramón Gaya Pomes. - Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
