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Tasting notes
2000 was not a heralded vintage in most of Spain, unlike in Bordeaux, but the turn of the century produced a very fine 2000 Único, which, from magnum, showed well, with good acidity. It was even a little closed but without the purity of, say, 2004. It has abundant, slightly dusty tannins and one of Vega Sicilia's signatures: a little volatility that lifts up the wine. It's evolving faster than the 2004, which to me is the benchmark of the decade. It was produced with 93% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and achieved 14% alcohol. 2,685 magnums produced. Artwork Castilviejo.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Deep red. High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, dried cherry, potpourri and spicecake. Silky in texture and alluringly spherical, offering seamless red fruit and floral pastille flavors and late notes of blood orange and Asian spices. Nothing heavy or fat here and yet this delivers the impact of a large-scaled wine. The finish is expansive and extremely persistent, leaving notes of rose and sweet red fruits behind. I find this to be drinking extremely well now but have no doubt that it will live a long life on its balance.
This has so much power, with a perfumed nose of dried flowers, milk chocolate, leather, cherries, crushed stones and peaches. It’s supple and creamy, with very elegant and well-integrated tannins. The fruit is coming to the surface, with lovely dark-plum and ripe-peach notes. Creamy, juicy and delicious. 93% tempranillo and 7% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drink or hold.
The millennial Unico was tasted twice in January and June 2012. It has a Bordeaux- inspired bouquet that demonstrates more austerity than the 2004 with herbaceous notes infusing the brambly black fruit: smoke, forest floor, wild mint and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with bright blackberry, strawberry and Morello on the entry. It is extremely well balanced and more feminine than the nose suggests. There is also impressive tension and vivacity towards the finish. There is great backbone here, a solid and obdurate Unico at the moment, but it will surely mellow in bottle. 108,536 bottles produced. Drink 2018-2030+. Aug 2012, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Vega Sicilia is undoubtably Spain’s most famous winery; a true icon in fine wine with a history dating back to 1864.