Bodegas Vega Sicilia Unico Tinto 1968
- RP
- JS
- W&S
- WS
- RP
- D
- JS
- W&S
- WS
- RP
- JS
- V
- D
- RP
- WS
- W&S
- JS
- RP
- D
- W&S
- WS
- WE
- RP
- WS
- RP
- WS
- WE
- JS
- W&S
- RP
- WE
- WS
- W&S
- RP
- WS
- JS
- RP
- WE
- D
- WS
- WS
- RP
- WE
- W&S
- WS
- RP
- RP
- WS
- JS
- RP
- WS
- RP
- RP
- RP
- RP
- RP
- RP
- WE
- RP
- WS
- WS
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- WE
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Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThere 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.
Few wines have a history as distinguished as that of Vega Sicilia. Founded in the 1860’s, its reputation on its flagship vintage has for more than 100 years produced two great wines, each appropriately named "Único."
It was at Vega Sicilia in Ribera del Duero, two hours from Madrid, that Tempranillo proved its potential for greatness. When the estate's original founder, Don Eloy Lecanda Chaves returned from France with cuttings of Bordeaux varietals, he planted them alongside the indigenous variety, then known simply as Tinto del Pais, or “Country Red”, but today known as Tinto Fino or Tempranillo. Surprisingly, it was the Tempranillo that produced the superior wine.
Today, the market for Vega Sicilia is one of scarcity and increasing demand. Vega Sicilia’s growing fame and desirability is testament not only to the estate’s enduring legacy but to the world’s craving for wines of history and noble bearing. Vega Sicilia's vintage Único, Reserva Especial and Valbuena are such wines.