2000 Vega Sicilia Unico

The 2000 Unico is made up of 93% Tinto Fino (aka Tempranillo) and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2000 is seen as a great vintage, as in Bordeaux. The complexity of the wine is underpinned by a long growing season and the fact that the harvest only began on October 14th! Indeed 40% of the crop was 'green harvested', such was the aspiration for concentration in those grapes permitted to go the distance!

The final yields were a parsimonious 20 hl/ha. The complicated ageing regime involved, as usual, various containers of differing shapes and sizes. By my calculations the wine had nearly seven years in vat ( including 2 years in small new barrels and 15 months in semi-new barrels) and then was held in bottle before release in 2009.

The rich crimson colour leads to a rich and spicy palate with generous black fruit, clove and pepper spice and a rich almost savoury finish. Javier and Pablo compare it to 1996, 1994, 1986 and 1970, all of which are drinking beautifully now in various stages of their evolution. An elegant and very successful vintage.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)Vega Sicilia

After a growing season which avoided the excesses sometimes associated with this region, and an October harvest under clear skies, expectations were certainly high. Not without justification, it transpires, a decade down the line. The usual encyclopaedic descriptors borrow widely from the gustatory canon and are complemented by an impressive structure, with balancing acidity and very precise and focused tannins both evidenced. The blend is 93% Tinto Fino and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon; the interplay of black fruits, truffles and spice is impressive indeed and will continue to impress for a very long time.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, May 2011)Vega Sicilia

In the absence of a 2001 Unico, Vega Sicilia has re-released the 2000 Unico; deep crimson-colored with an ethereal perfume aided by its extended upbringing. Aromas of Asian spices, lavender, incense, truffle, and confiture of black fruits are compelling. Sweet, forward, rich, and hedonistic, it nevertheless has the balance and structure to continue evolving for another 5-10 years. In strong vintages Vega Sicilia drinks well at age 50 and I would expect the same of the 2000.

Bodegas Vega Sicilia’s Valbuena receives 3 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle prior to release. Each year Vega Sicilia releases a small amount of a multi-vintage Unico Reserva Especial blended to reflect the house style of Vega Sicilia at its very best. The vagaries of vintage are blended away leaving a wine that is, in my opinion, better than any of the single vintage wines except in the very greatest years. It is a fascinating exercise to taste the Unico beside the Reserva Especial.(Jay Miller - Wine Advocate - Jun 2011)