In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, spice, cedar, tobacco, sandalwood, dried flowers
Palate: black plum, leather, dried herbs, mineral, mocha
A non-vintage multi-year blend of Unico vintages, offering seamless integration of dried fruit, cedar and mineral notes across selected exceptional years.
What it pairs with
-
Roast lamb with herbs
The wine's dried-herb and spice register pairs naturally with herbed Castilian lamb. -
Iberico ham (jamon iberico)
Silky cured fat and nutty complexity complement the wine's tobacco and cedar tones. -
Wild mushroom stew
Earthy mushroom depth echoes the wine's forest floor and mineral core.
How to serve Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast lamb with herbs, Iberico ham (jamon iberico), Wild mushroom stew. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
First released in 1986 as a blend of the 1970, 1968 and 1962 vintages, the Reserva Especial is assembled from selected Unico vintages to create a non-vintage wine of exceptional consistency. Each release carries three vintage years on the label.
- 1986 — First Reserva Especial released as a blend of 1970, 1968 and 1962 vintages
- 1982 — DO Ribera del Duero granted
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Vega Sicilia
- Grapes
- Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Classification
- DO Ribera del Duero
- Oak
- Blend of three or more Unico vintages, aged in oak and bottle; released as a non-vintage blend
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €300-800 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-30 from release
- First vintage
- 1986
Frequently asked about Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial
What does Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, spice, cedar, tobacco, sandalwood. On the palate, black plum, leather, dried herbs, mineral, mocha. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a very long finish. A non-vintage multi-year blend of Unico vintages, offering seamless integration of dried fruit, cedar and mineral notes across selected exceptional years.
When should I drink Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial?
Drink 5-30 from release. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial?
Roast lamb with herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Iberico ham (jamon iberico) and Wild mushroom stew. The wine's dried-herb and spice register pairs naturally with herbed Castilian lamb.
What grapes are in Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial?
The blend is Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is classified as DO Ribera del Duero.