2000 Vega Sicilia "Unico" Ribera del Duero
SKU #1079881
95
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Deep red. High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, dried cherry, potpourri and spicecake. Silky in texture and alluringly spherical, offering seamless red fruit and floral pastille flavors and late notes of blood orange and Asian spices. Nothing heavy or fat here and yet this delivers the impact of a large-scaled wine. The finish is expansive and extremely persistent, leaving notes of rose and sweet red fruits behind. I find this to be drinking extremely well now but have no doubt that it will live a long life on its balance...
(10/ 2010)
95
points
Wine Enthusiast
*Editors' Choice* Like liquid silk, it's so smooth and supple. Aromas of fresh mountain herbs pour forth from the glass along with the scents of cherry, cough drop and dried spices. Very light on its feet with pronounced elegance as opposed to raw power. The palate is sleek and feminine, with flavors of dried red fruits, raspberry and light medicinality. Spectacular as per usual, with 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cab Sauvignon. Drink now–2025
(10/ 2010)
93
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The millennial Unico was tasted twice in January and June 2012. It has a Bordeaux- inspired bouquet that demonstrates more austerity than the 2004 with herbaceous notes infusing the brambly black fruit: smoke, forest floor, wild mint and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with bright blackberry, strawberry and Morello on the entry. It is extremely well balanced and more feminine than the nose suggests. There is also impressive tension and vivacity towards the finish. There is great backbone here, a solid and obdurate Unico at the moment, but it will surely mellow in bottle. 108,536 bottles produced. Drink 2018-2030+.
(8/ 2012)
92
points
Wine Spectator
Firm and elegant, this red is lean but dense, with dried cherry, tobacco, vanilla, licorice and leaf flavors, complex and harmonious in the traditional style. This is not showy, but has depth and length. Drink now through 2015.
(4/ 2011)
K&L Notes
85% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.