2001 Valbuena No 5
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Tasting notes
A very controversial vintage that was officially classified as exceptional by the DO, but at Vega Sicilia they chose not to make Único and the best grapes went to Valbuena, with an average yield of only 8 hl/ha. According to Javier Ausás, there was frost around 12 May when temperatures fell to around -5 ºC (23 ºF), and all the grapes died. A second generation of grapes grew, but there was a 15-day delay over a normal vintage, which compromised the quality of the year, with the further complication of a very warm summer that significantly shortened the vegetative cycle. 80% Tinto Fino, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. 181,750 bottles, 3,309 magnums and 170 double magnums. Released in 2006. Very smoky. A touch of bacon and quite woody in the nose. In the mouth it is medium bodied, still showing the wood. I can see why they didn't make Único. (LG)
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The Valbuena offering is a brilliant introduction to the winery. The 2001 is especially good because all of the wine normally reserved for Unico went into this bottling. It has a similar personality to the 2002 but with more of everything as if it has been on an extended workout regimen. Youthful in appearance and with classic aromatics, it has the extract and the structure to blossom for 6-8 years and drink well for another 20. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com
Deep red. Wonderfully perfumed, sharply delineated aromas of fresh red berries, cherry, rhubarb, roasted coffee and vanillin oak. Supple, lush and sweet, with medium to full body, a complex array of red and dark fruit flavors, exotic spice accents and fine-grained but firm, youthful tannins. Finishes sweet and long, the tannins providing shape and grip but not intruding on the sweet, elegant fruit and tangy spice notes. There will be no Unico from this vintage so this producer's best fruit is in this bottling.
(Cask sample) Extremely deep crimson (again, thanks to 10 per cent Cabernet, as well as 10 per cent Merlot). Very animal aromas. Gamey and spicy. Thick and sweet and lovely. Round, gentle and gorgeous. Tastes like extremely good quality dark chocolate. A real charmer. Much less dry than the 2000. Very, very supple. (JR)
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.