2021 Valbuena No 5
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2021 Valbuena comes from a year with pristine grapes, good ripeness and balance, for them one of their finest years when they didn't have to rush and everything happened in a smooth way. The year was marked by the snowstorm Filomena in January, which provided good water reserves, and the rest of the winter had temperatures reaching -15 degrees Celsius! This was a blend of 96% Tinto Fino (a.k.a. Tempranillo) and 4% Merlot aged in barrels and 8,500- and 21,000-liter oak vats during the first year and later only in oak vats. This is the youngest expression of the "Vega" nose, subtler and elegant, more insinuating, less developed and keeping some primary notes, not as tertiary as the Únicos. It comes in at 14% alcohol, with a pH of 3.85 and 4.65 grams of acidity, and it has a medium- to full-bodied palate, with elegant tannins and very good balance. This is one of the finest recent vintages for Valbuena, and in a way, it reminded me of the 2010, with elegance and precision. A total of 176,876 bottles, 5,566 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in May 2024.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
A blend of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Merlot, sourced from vineyards located between 720 and 930 m above sea level, rooted in limestone marl soils. The 2021 vintage was shorter in production but marked by excellent quality. Winter brought significant snowfall, spring was very wet, and the summer remained cool, slowing down the vegetative cycle and contributing to the wine’s finesse. Ageing follows the traditional five-year process: 12 months in barrel, 12 months in large wooden vats, 6 months in stainless steel, and the remaining time in bottle before release. Total production is 178,876 bottles, 5,566 magnums, 400 double magnums, 35 imperials and 5 salmanazars. This Valbuena is, for me, a particularly special edition. The texture is silky, almost haute couture, with delicately pitched black fruit, graphite ink notes and impeccably integrated oak. Cedar, black cherry and a faint mineral line shape the aromas, while the palate shows seductive perfume, refined structure and a tannin profile that is both silky and full of promise. Tertiary elements are barely emerging – just a whisper of elegant leather – suggesting a long and graceful evolution ahead. An impressive Valbuena, and one of my favourites in the entire 2026 Vega Sicilia release. (FC)
One of the finest Valbuenas available, showcasing great depth, structure and detail while remaining polished. It exhibits notes of blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, and high-quality sandalwood, with hints of lard and violets. The standout feature this year is the quantity and quality of the tanninsâhuge, yet incredibly refined and polished. There are plenty of fine grits that arenât fully integrated but should harmonize in two to three years. Exceptionally long finish. Will hold effortlessly for the next 20 years. 176,000 bottles produced.
One of the finest Valbuenas available, showcasing great depth, structure and detail while remaining polished. It exhibits notes of blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, and high-quality sandalwood, with hints of lard and violets. The standout feature this year is the quantity and quality of the tannins—huge, yet incredibly refined and polished. There are plenty of fine grits that aren’t fully integrated but should harmonize in two to three years. Exceptionally long finish. Will hold effortlessly for the next 20 years. 176,000 bottles produced.
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.