In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryVery Long finish

Aroma: dried cherry, leather, tobacco, cedar, dried fig, spice

Palate: dark plum, dried herbs, graphite, chocolate, earthy mineral

A Tinto Fino-led blend aged for a decade or more, building complexity of dried fruit, leather and cedar with a mineral, persistent finish.

What it pairs with

  • Roast suckling pig (cochinillo)
    Iberian roast pork's caramelised fat and delicate meat are lifted by the wine's dried-fruit depth and mineral backbone.
  • Aged Manchego cheese
    Crystalline sheep's milk salt amplifies the wine's cedar and tobacco notes.
  • Slow-braised lamb (lechazo)
    Castilian slow-cooked lamb finds a structural equal in the wine's firm tannins and earthy complexity.

History

Unico has been released since the early 20th century from the estate founded in 1864. Each vintage is released only when deemed ready by the winery, sometimes a decade or more after harvest.

  1. 1864 — Vega Sicilia estate founded in Valbuena de Duero
  2. 1915 — First documented Unico vintage
  3. 1982 — DO Ribera del Duero granted; Vega Sicilia among founding estates

Facts

Producer
Bodegas Vega Sicilia
Grapes
Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon
Classification
DO Ribera del Duero
Oak
Aged a minimum of 10 years including time in large oak vats, American oak barrels and French barriques before bottle ageing
ABV
13.5%
Price
€300-600 at retail
Drinking window
10-40 from vintage
First vintage
1915

Tags

cabernet sauvignon cellar worthy cult wine dry firm tannin full body iconic medium acid mood contemplative mood elegant occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with pork pairs with red meat price luxury still red tinto fino
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