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Tasting notes
The 2011 Único ended up among my least favorite vintages of recent times, at least the magnum I tasted and in comparison with the 2013 and 2009 and even the 2007 (a very challenging vintage that showed better). Despite the warm year (which they have always said they found cooler than 2010), the wine is "only" 14% alcohol, which is quite moderate for the last few years when the wines routinely reach 14.5%. I found the wine to be quite tannic and lacking the charm I expect in this cuvée. Perhaps with more time? The grapes were picked relatively early, between September 15th and 28th. 3,505 magnums were filled in June 2017.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Intensity and concentration mark this, with a deep core of hazelnuts, ripe blackberries, praline, chocolate orange and some iron. It’s full-bodied with very finely textured yet muscular tannins. Well framed. 95% tempranillo and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drinkable now, but with a long future ahead.
95% Tinto Fino, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Frost-free spring, warm but regular growing season and ‘excellent’ vintage conditions; harvest 15–28 September. Bottled June 2017: 88,288 bottles, 3,505 magnums, 318 double magnums, 60 Impériales and 3 Salmanazars. From magnum. Mellow nose and on the palate there’s a sensation rather akin to chewing charcoal. Hums along on the finish. Like the 2013, this is very much a wine for the future. Lots of fine tannins.
Beefy, chewy, chocolatey, blackcurrant. Fine and dry and perhaps a little parched and hard-edged at this stage. Yet there are elements that really entice – meat, milk chocolate, earth. (RH)
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.