Vega Sicilia - Valbuena 5º 2014

Vega Sicilia - Valbuena 5º - 2014 (95+ TSW)

Beautiful blend of 95% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and a splash of Merlot from the Ribera del Duero region.

Bodega Vega Sicilia is located in the western part of Ribera del Duero. Vega means plain and Sicilia refers to the church of Santa Sicilia that is located on the wine estate. Vega Sicilia has been producing top wines continuously since the mid-19th century (the favorite wine of, among others, Winston Churchill and Prince Charles of England).

Valbuena (the second wine after the flagship wine Único) is the pure expression of a red at Vega Sicilia, with an ageing of five years from barrel to bottle, which gives it its name, Valbuena 5º (5th year). 225-litre French and American oak barrels, both new and used, 8,500-litre vats are used in a long and complex process for perhaps, the wine which has evolved the most over the last few years.

Valbuena 5º presents its splendor in each vintage and a direct view of the greatness of its soil, where the weather conditions each year make a clear distinction on the vintage. Thanks to the extraordinary job in the vineyard and ageing in tanks on its second year, today´s Valbuena 5º 2014 is velvety, complex, harmonious.

The 2014 vintage was a very good one with mild winter and less rain than usual. Summer started with moderate temperatures which persist until the end of August and rising higher than the average in September, favoring optimal maturity.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep ruby red color.
On the medium(+) nose delicate aromas of black forest fruit, red plums and cassis with hints of balsamico, cigarbox, licorice, anise, tobacco and vanilla.
On the palate dry, full-bodied with medium balanced acidity and medium (+) sweet graining tannins with beautiful round mouthfeel. Already very aproachable flavours of chocolate, cranberry compote, mint, smoky espresso, tobacco and a beautiful long and intense aftertaste. Would love to retaste after 5/10 years.