Myth full of truth
Patriarch and precursor of a line of exceptional wines, forged over time, whose durability distinguishes and gives them a special character.
With an inimitable, firm and solid style, it has been
able to create a unique and timeless taste. A world-renowned icon
that thanks to the endeavours, perseverance and discretion has carved the story
of
It is the Vega Sicilia flagship. The qualities of the Tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon in different proportions are assembled to perfection in this wine. Each provides a differentiating factor that makes the wine great in every vintage.
The vines are grown on plots where the land is located at the point between the slopes down from the wasteland and the alluvial plain. The soil nearest the surface is made out of fine colluvial deposits from the hillside with small fragment of limestone. There is abundant quartz gravel deeper down in a sandy main soil. There are many angular limestone boulders on the surface.
Red wine made in controlled fermentation using native yeast in wooden tanks. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in wood.
After its fermentation, its goes through what is probably the world's longest ageing of a red wine, almost 10 years between wood and bottle. The different stages take place in different types of barrel: American and French wood, new and used 225-litre barrels, 20,000-litre vats, each batch is what determines the type of wood and the time spent in each container.
After the stage in the wood, it is aged in the bottle to complete a long and complex ageing process. It will normally spend 6 years in wood and 4 in the bottle.
The different elements in its preparation are fine-tuned in the search of the master line that has guided the wine. Único remains true to a clear and well-defined style, with an inimitable character and style; elegance, strength, ageing capacity... A unique and timeless taste that has elevated it to among the aristocracy of the great classic wines.
It offers an infinite complexity that is gradually revealed, in every sip, the palate immensely silky and elegant, and has an ageing capacity that only a handful of wines in the world can claim.
Description
The Vega Sicilia estate covers about 1,000 hectares. Of these, 210 are under vine, with 19 different types of soil, divided into 64 plots with their own unique characteristics. The influence of the Duero River and the passage of time have played a decisive role in the extraordinary development of these soils.
Given the abundant production in 2014, green pruning and crop thinning had to be more stringent. But years like this, when the weather is on our side, are usually generous in terms of both quantity and quality. The grapes from these 40 hectares are harvested for Unico and aged for at least 10 years in oak and in bottle, one of the longest ageing periods in the world. In the first stage, we use 225-litre French and American oak barrels to shape the wine; and in the second stage, we use 22,000-litre wooden vats. It is a long and complex but nevertheless wonderful process of wine construction, as the wine takes on infinite nuances, precision, texture and depth over time. Thanks to this amazing terroir and unique ageing, our wines become eternal as they mature.
The first impression on the nose is more subdued in the 2014 vintage, but the palate is ample, rich and luscious. This is a wine with structure while also silky in texture, with concentration as well as finesse. It is a pleasure to drink it now, but it will be timeless as it evolves in the bottle.General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
94 % Tinto Fino and 6 % Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
35 yearsVineyard surface area
210 ha (Finca Vega Sicilia)Planting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,600 kg/ha - 25,2 Hl/haHarvest
Manual, in 12 kg boxes, from 20 September to 3 October2014 Vineyard cycle
The winter was mild with below average rainfall.
Spring began with above normal temperatures in April and May, bringing budbreak forward by an average of 8 days. From mid-May temperatures dropped to normal for the time of year, with a few cold nights but no frost. Fruit set was good, and we had to pay particular attention to green pruning to ensure the optimum balance on each plot.
The summer began with mild temperatures, which continued until the end of August and then rose to above-average levels in September, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly.
The harvest began on 20 September and ended on 3 October.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be cellared for 40 - 60 years if stored in optimal conditions: 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
Best served at 18 ºC / 64 ºF.Production
104,604 standard Bordeaux bottles, 3,612 Magnum, 356 Double Magnum, 50 Imperial and 5 Salmanazar.
Year bottled
June 2020
Description
210 of the almost 1,000 hectares on the Vega Sicilia estate are used for vine growing, which include 19 different types of soil and 64 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the course of the Douro River and time itself have played a key role in the notable use of these soils.
The rainy end to the harvest left its imprint on the wine from this vintage. 2013 was a year to spend time in the vineyard, tend to it with care, and not rest on your laurels during harvest. A more elegant, subtle, and complex profile. The grapes are harvested from the 40 hectares used to produce Unico, a wine that ages at least ten years between barrel and bottle, representing one of the world's longest ageing processes. For the first phase, we used 225-litre French and American oak barrels to start to structure the wine; the second phase involved using 22,000-litre wooden vats. A long, complex, yet wonderful wine construction, during which they obtain endless nuances, definition, texture, and depth over time. This incredible terroir and the unique ageing process
make our wines timeless when they aged.
2013 is a subtle, elegant, fresh, vertical, complex, silky, and well-defined vintage. This wine is a true paradox, enjoyable to drink now, but timeless when allowed to age in bottle.General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
97 % Tinto Fino and 3 % Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
33 yearsVineyard surface area
210 ha (Finca Vega Sicilia)Planting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,600 kg/ha - 25.2 Hl/haHarvest
Hand-picked in 12 kg crates from 27 September to 17 October2013 Vineyard cycle
A mild winter with slightly higher temperatures and less rainfall than the year-on-year average saw budburst brought forward by seven days. However, spring rains and relatively low temperatures led to flowering and veraison occurring ten days later in the cycle compared to the previous year.
Normal temperatures in summer, but somewhat dry with the several storms, causing minimum damage. September saw normal temperatures, but with lower minimum temperatures, meaning there was large thermal amplitude between day and night.
Harvest took place from the end of September through to mid-October with abundant rainfall, so the major efforts in the vineyard ensured the grapes were in perfect health and ripeness when they entered the winery.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be aged for up to 40 - 60 years if stored in the ideal conditions of: 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
The recommended drinking temperature is 18 ºC / 64 ºF.Production
76,476 Bordeaux, 3,658 Magnum, 362 Double Magnum, 59 Imperial, and 6 Salmanazar bottles.
Year bottled
June 2019
Description
210 of the almost 1,000 hectares on the Vega Sicilia estate are used for vine growing, featuring 19 different types of soil and 64 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the course of the Douro River and time itself have played a key role in the outstanding use of these soils.
40 of these hectares are used to produce Unico, which spends at least ten years between barrel and bottle, representing one of the longest ageing processes in the world. We use new and used 225-litre French and American oak barrels and 22,000-litre wooden vats. A long and complex, yet wonderful construction of the wines, during which they obtain endless nuances, definition, texture, and depth over time. This incredible terroir and the unique ageing process make our wines timeless when they age.
2012 is a concentrated, juicy, silky, and well-defined vintage. It is an expression that can be enjoyed immediately, but it will become incredible over time.General information
Alcohol by volume
14.5 %Variety
95 % Tinto Fino and 5 % Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
36 yearsVineyard surface area
210 ha (Finca Vega Sicilia)Planting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,500-3,700 kg/ha - 24.5-25.9 Hl/haHarvest
Hand-picked in 12 kg crates from 19 September to 10 October2012 Vineyard cycle
After a somewhat dry winter, spring began with moderate temperatures and abundant rainfall, with some 70.7 litres falling during April (the initial stages of the vine's budburst), continuing through early May. Temperatures subsequently began to rise through the rest of the month, reaching a temperature of 42 ºC in June (on 26 and 27 June).
It is worth noting that the lack of spring frosts enabled the vineyard to grow correctly. The summer was very dry with no rainfall recorded in July and only 0.5 litres in August. Temperatures remained high throughout the summer.
We had to wait until the end of September before the rains helped ensure a positive outcome for the ripening process.
Notable characteristics included the healthiness, the strong colouring, and very ripe tannins suitable for ageing. An excellent vintage.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be aged for up to 40 - 60 years if stored in the ideal conditions of: 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
The recommended drinking temperature is 18 ºC / 64 ºF.Production
88,188 Bordeaux bottles, 3,537 Magnum, 328 Double Magnum, 55 Imperial, and 5 Salmanazar.
Year bottled
June 2018
Description
Of the almost 1,000 hectares that make up the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are allocated to the cultivation of vines, with nineteen different types of soil and fifty-five plots with very specific features. In the extraordinary management of these soils, the influence of the course of the Douro River and the passage of time have been crucial.
Forty of these hectares are used to produce Unico, which is aged for a minimum of ten years between barrel and bottle, one of the longest ageing processes in the world. We use French and American oak in new and used 225-litre barrels and 22,000-litre vats. A long and complex construction of the wines, but at the same time simply marvellous, in which they gain a myriad of nuances, precise texture and wonderful depth over time. Thanks to this incredible terroir and unique ageing process, our wines become eternal when they age.2011 is a concentrated vintage yet, elegant, silky, precise and deep. Unico is an expression that can be savoured immediately, although over time it will become truly incredible. It is, without a shadow of doubt, a true delight.
General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
95 % Tinto Fino and 5 % Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
35 yearsVineyard surface area
210 haPlanting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,000-3,500 kg/ha - 21-24.5 hl/haHarvest
Manual in 12 kg boxes from September 15th to September 28th2011 Vineyard cycle
A normal winter for our area in terms of temperature and rainfall, which gave way to a frost-free spring with temperatures somewhat higher than usual, bringing the plant's cycle forward in this season.
Summer started rather hot at the beginning of July, only to return to average temperatures in the second fortnight. The veraison date was around 12 August, which is the norm in this area.
The end of ripening was slow and progressive, with no rainfall and good temperatures that meant we could wait for the optimal ripening point for each plot. This resulted in a very healthy grape with a great balance of components, such as high colour indices and good acidity levels. In short, an excellent vintage.
The harvest began on 15 September and ended on 28 September.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be stored for 40-60 years in optimal conditions: 12-14 °C / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
The recommended serving temperature is 18 °C / 64 ºF.Production
88,288 Bordeaux bottles, 3,505 Magnum, 318 Double Magnum, 60 Imperial and 3 Salmanazar.
Year bottled
June 2017
Description
From the 1,000 hectares which composes the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are used for vine-growing, coexisting 19 soil types and 57 plots containing very specific characteristics. The influence of the Duero River's flow and the passage of time have been vital in developing these soils.
Forty of these hectares are used to produce Unico, with at least ten years of ageing, in both barrel and bottle, considered to be one of the world's longest. We use new and used French and American 225-litre oak barrels and 22,000-litre casks; a long, complex yet beautiful process, that makes these wines outstanding when released and eternal when aged.
2010 is a powerful, concentrated and ample vintage. Vega Sicilia Unico 2010 gains nuances, given sufficient time to open. A wine to enjoy long-term.General information
Alcohol by volume
14.5 %Variety
94 % Tinto Fino y 6 % Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
35 yearsVineyard surface area
210 ha (Finca Vega Sicilia)Planting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,000 kg/ha - 21 Hl/haHarvest
Hand-picked in 12 kg cases from September 15th to October 3rd2010 Vineyard cycle
The vineyard lifecycle began with some delay due to spring frost in the month of May, but gradually, and after the strong winds of early June, the vineyard began to recover thanks to good weather conditions in late June and July.
During the beginning of summer, almost all plots were within average for the region. The soil´s wonderful water reserve, along with sunlight exposure and thermal amplitude in the month of August and the end of maturation in September, lead to slow ripening of the grapes, completing the entire natural plant cycle with great fruit concentration and ripe tannin.
This vintage will go down in history.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is ready to drink now holding a potential ageing window of approximately 40 - 60 years if kept in ideal conditions: temperature of 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
Optimum drinking temperature is 18 ºC / 64 ºF.Production
85,185 Bordeaux bottles, 3,362 Magnum, 228 Double Magnum and 36 Imperial bottles.
Year bottled
June 2016
Description
From the 1,000 hectares that make up the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are used for vine-growing, under 19 soil types and 57 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the Duero River's flow and the passage of time have been vital in developing these soils.
Forty of these hectares are used to produce Unico, aged for at least ten years (in barrel and bottle) is one of the longest in the world. New and used 225-litre French and American oak barrels and 22,000-litre tanks. A long complex process, for a legendary wine.
A generous, potent vintage providing an expressive, profound, rich wine.General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
94% Tinto Fino and 6% Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
35 yearsVineyard surface area
210 ha (Finca Vega Sicilia)Planting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,600 kg/ha - 25.2 Hl/haHarvest
Hand-picked in 12 kg cases from 23rd September to October 3rd2009 Vineyard cycle
Winter was particularly cold with almost daily frost and minimum temperatures as low as -14 ºC / 57 ºF. The last frost was registered on April 23rd but the vineyard did not bud until the following week. During springtime, temperature difference between day and night of nearly 20 ºC / 68 ºF was registered, what resulted in a slower vegetative development than normal. This, plus a very dry winter and spring, lead to a particularly healthy year in terms of fungus.
High morning temperatures and low night temperatures, at the beginning of summer, favored the cycle to recuperate and veraison took place near August 13th, like an average year. During maturity, other incidents of such temperature difference occurred, benefitting the accumulation of aromas and colors in the grapes.
Harvest started September 23rd and ended October 3rd highlighting the great sanity and complete maturation.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be stored for 40 - 60 years in optimal conditions: 12-14 °C / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
The recommended serving temperature is 18 ºC / 64 ºF.Production
74,274 Bordeaux bottles, 3,390 Magnum, 209 Double Magnum and 22 Imperial.
Year bottled
June 2015
Description
Of the 1,000 hectares making up the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are used for wine growing, and there are 19 soil-types divided for management purposes into 52 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the flow of the river Duero and the passage of time have been vital in forming these soils.
70 of these hectares are employed to produce Unico. A unique, magical estate which, along with extraordinary management of the vineyard, enables the production of legendary wines.
The Unico ageing process is probably the world's longest, since it runs for at least ten years from the barrel to the bottle. 225-litre barrels of French and American wood, both new and used, and 20,000-litre tanks. A long complex process for a great wine.
Unico is a wine for all eternity. Only a handful of terroirs worldwide are able to match wine's extraordinary ageing capacity. This is a wine of inimitable style, mature, tremendously elegant and silky, in which the ageing process brings the mystique of the essence to the surface.
General information
Alcohol by volume
14.5 %Variety
97% Tinto Fino and 3% Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
35 yearsVineyard surface area
210 haPlanting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 mYield
3,600 kg /haHarvest
Hand-picked, in 12 kg-boxes2008 Vineyard cycle
In 2008, a very dry winter was followed by a cold and rainy spring - although without May frosts, which gave rise to late budding and slow and unequal initial development of the vine's cycle.
Throughout May and up to 17 June there were storms of a certain intensity along with strong winds and hailstones in certain areas. A dry summer allowed for recovery in the cycle, and particularly noteworthy was a wide temperature range in July and August, with differences in the daytime high and night-time low of between 20 and 24 degrees.
Low nocturnal temperatures continued into September, with a minimum of 1 degree recorded on 29 September. The anti-frost towers were therefore activated, and also protected the crop on 2 and 3 October, when minimum temperatures of 0 degrees occurred. The grape harvest commenced on 10 October by which time great phenolic and aromatic ripeness had been achieved due to the wide temperature range from colour-changing onwards and lower sugar accumulation compared to an average year in the zone. An Atlantic-style vintage with great colour and aroma intensity, potent structure, and an acidity plus which will aid the wines' longevity.
Storage, serving and drinking window
These wines are ready for drinking now but may potentially be stored for approximately 40-60 years if kept in optimum conditions (12-14 ºC) at 40% relative humidity, at a constant temperature.
Optimum drinking temperature is 18 ºC.
Production
59.214 Bordeaux bottles, 3,323 magnums, 210 double magnums, 24 imperial bottles.
Year bottled
June 2014.Description
Of the 1.000 hectares which make up the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are used for wine growing, under 19 soil-types divided into 52 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the Duero river's flow and the passage of time have been vital in forming these soils.
40 of these hectares are used to produce Unico with a minimum 10-year ageing process, including both barrel and bottle, probably the world's longest. 225-litre French and American oak barrels, both new and used, 20,000-litre tanks.
A long complex process for a legendary wine.
Like UNICO 2005, UNICO 2006 was bottle aged for an additional two years and rewards us with an ample, profound, silky wine to keep in memory.
General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
94% Tinto Fino and 6% Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
35 yearsVineyard surface area
210 haPlanting density
2.222 plants/haAltitude
700 mYield
3.600 kg/haHarvest
Hand-picked in 12kg cases2006 Vineyard cycle
Winter was particularly cold, including winter frost, frequent rain and snow at the end of February. Budding took place the third week of April due to the rise in temperature.
Spring registered normal rainfall but abnormally high temperatures which brought forward showers the first week of April. There were cold nights at the end of May, beginning of June, though, fortunately the plant did not suffer significant damage.
High temperatures continued along throughout June leading to an early flowering. Summer was normal with the beginning of budding the second week of August. High temperatures on the last two weeks of August and first week of September provoked early ripening in some plots, starting harvest September 9th. Showers in mid-September delayed the rest of the harvest reaching a well-balanced ripeness and tremendous sanity.Storage, serving and drinking window
These wines are ready for drinking now but may potentially be stored for approximately 40 - 60 years if kept in optimum conditions (12-14 ºC) at 60% relative humidity, and constant temperature, protected from direct light.
Optimum drinking temperature is 18 ºC.
Production
93.993 Bordeaux bottles, 2,552 Mágnum bottles, 165 Double-Mágnum bottles and 6 Imperial bottles.Year bottled
June 2012.
Description
Once the process of fermentation completed, the wine remained in large-capacity wooden vats for 25 months. Then it matured for 17 months in new barrels, 10 months in semi-new barrels and 22 months in largecapacity wooden vats. The remaining time was spent in bottle until release in 2013.General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
92 % Tinto Fino and 8 % Cabernet-SauvignonVineyard surface area
Finca Vega SiciliaPlanting density
2,222 plants/haAltitude
700 - 900 mHarvest
Hand-picked in 12 kg crates2003 Vineyard cycle
Winter: Typical with frequent frosts. Moderate rainfall.
Spring: Mild, sprouting in the middle of April, without any frost.
Summer: Warm without rains.
Harvest: Cold, from the 20th to the 26th September.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be aged for up to 40 - 60 years if stored in the ideal conditions of 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
The recommended drinking temperature is 18 ºC/ 64 ºF.Production
76,476 Bordeaux, 3,658 Magnum, 362 Double Magnum, 59 Imperial, and 6 Salmanazar bottles.
Tasting
Colour: Deep Ruby colour with intense and shiny cherry tones.
Nose: Hot vintage where we avoid aromas of dried fruits or liquor to avoid a heavy Unico which is not part of its style. Delicate nose where everything is present but nothing predominant. Notes of cider and cigar box.
Palate: Generous vintage with a minty character that makes it fresh. Wide and intense finish.Description
Once the fermentation process was completed the wine aged for 17 months in wooden casks. To later age for 23 months in new oak barrels, 10 months in used barrels and 20 months in large oak casks. The wine was bottled until released in 2012.
General information
Alcohol by volume
14 %Variety
95 % Tinto Fino and 5 % Cabernet-SauvignonAverage age of vineyard
21 yearsVineyard surface area
210 ha (Finca Vega Sicilia)Planting density
2,222 plantas/haAltitude
700 - 900 mYield
3,500 kg/ha - 24.5 Hl/haHarvest
Hand-picked in 20-kg crates starting on October 5th2002 Vineyard cycle
Winter: Average with frequent frosts. Moderate Rainfall.
Spring: Mild, budding in mid-April, without any Frost.
Summer: Warm without important rains.
Harvest: Unstable weather.Storage, serving and drinking window
This wine is suitable for drinking now, but it can be aged for up to 40 - 60 years if stored in the ideal conditions of: 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60 % relative humidity.
The recommended drinking temperature is 18 ºC / 64 ºF.Production
42,932 Bordeaux bottles, 2,540 Magnum, 155 Double Magnum and 4 Imperial.
Tasting
Colour: Cherry with ruby tones
Nose: Delicate and discrete nose with marquetry aromas, wild berries as currant with minty notes and English tobacco.
Palate: Fine and elegant with a persistent aromatic finish. The Unico style of elegance, complexity and discretion
