2009 Valbuena No 5

Sicilia; Vega

94Average Score

Ribera del Duero / Spain

Red

(virtually all tempranillo, with a bit of merlot; fermented in large oak tanks and raised in a 50/50 blend of French and American oak, followed by brief sojourns in used oak barrels and vats before bottling): Opaque ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented aromas of dark berries, cherry pit and potpourri, with a toasty topnote. Minerally, incisive and sweet on the palate, offering smoky cherry and blackcurrant flavors complicated by vanilla, mocha and licorice. Shows impressive power and vivacity on the youthfully tannic finish, with the smoke and spice notes strongly repeating. Sep 2014, www.vinous.com

Josh Raynolds Score: 94/100

6x75cl

0 Immediate | 1 Marketplace

£672.00

Scores + Notes

Average Score

The 2009 Valbuena was harvested early, the result of a warm summer. It’s mostly Tempranillo complemented with 5% Merlot. The wine matured for five months in 20,000-liter oak vats, 16 months in new barriques (equal parts French and American oak), four months in used barrels and then four more months in the vats before being bottled in May 2011. 180,000 bottles produced. It has some reductive notes and would benefit from some time in a decanter, where you’d start appreciating its background of cherries which feels very classical and serious. The palate is well-built, with polished tannins, very good acidity and freshness with elegance and fine tannins. Mature and with good typicity. Drink 2014-2020. Aug 2014, www.robertparker.com

Luis Gutiérrez, Wine AdvocateScore: 94/100

Josh RaynoldsScore: 94/100

About The Producer

The producer

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Product Details

Country

Spain

Region

Ribera del Duero

Sub-region

Colour

Red

Taste

Dry

Alcohol %

14%

Product Type

Still wine

Product Subtype

Drinking Window