1998 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5
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Tasting notes
15% Malbec and Merlot. Big, bold and gamey on the nose. Very thick, with dry tannins. Exceptionally dry, rasping finish and slightly rustic tannins. Even less flattering to taste than the 1997. On the borderline of refreshing and tart. A bit more alcoholic than the others at 14%. (JR)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1998 Valbuena is better than the 1987 Unico, and probably as good as the 1989 Unico, at least over the next decade. Extremely full-bodied, it offers up notes of smoke, graphite, toasty oak, caramel, black cherry liqueur, and cassis. Opulent and sumptuous, it is both a hedonistic and intellectual turn-on. Anticipated maturity: now-2016. Importer: a Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897
The 1998 Valbuena is better than the 1987 Unico, and probably as good as the 1989 Unico, at least over the next decade. Extremely full-bodied, it offers up notes of smoke, graphite, toasty oak, caramel, black cherry liqueur, and cassis. Opulent and sumptuous, it is both a hedonistic and intellectual turn-on. Anticipated maturity: now-2016. Wine Advocate.February, 2003
Saturated ruby-red. Highly complex aromas of red berries, raspberry skin, minerals, truffle, coffee, cedar and game. Dense and thick but with terrific acidity and thrust; sharply delineated and gripping. Tangy flavors of red berries, minerals and smoked meat; as elegant as a great mature Bordeaux. Remarkably dense for the vintage but not at all heavy. I instantly identified the producer of this wine in a blind flight but thought it could be the Unico.
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.