Tempos Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 año 2019

DOWNLOAD TECHNICAL SHEET

Winery: Vega-Sicilia

Country / Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero

Date Winery was established: 1864

Grape Variety: Tempranillo, Merlot

First Vintage Released: 1917

Alcohol Level / Volume: 14.5% / 750ml

Ratings: 96 pts Tim Atkin

Decanting Time: Decant for 1 - 2 hours. Serve at 15 - 18°C

Our suggestion for decanting time is based on bottles we tried at Txanton in 2024. We guarantee that Txanton stocks are imported and maintained in proper storage within the correct temperature and humidity suitable for wine.

Good To Know: Globally renowned for being one of the best wine producers in Spain, Vega Sicilia's wines are one of the most expensive and highly sought after Spanish wines in the world. The famed winery produces 3 highly collectable wines: Unico, the winery's premier and flagship wine, the Reserva Especial, a blend of the top tier vintages based on the current release which is aged up to 10 years and upwards prior to sale. Lastly, the Valbuena which is made from younger vines and aged up to 5 years before its release.

Vega Sicilia has been in operation since 1864. This was long before Ribera del Duero was developed into the premier appelation that it is today. The oldest vintages stored in their cellars go as far back to the 1st quarter of the 20th century, making Vega Sicilia one of the oldest wineries in the region. Both the winery's prestige and quality consistency vastly improved in the 1980's when the current owners, the Alvarez family, acquired the property in 1982. Apart from the flagship company, Vega Sicilia, the family also owns Bodegas Alion, famed for high quality Tempranillo based wines, Bodegas Pintia in Toro, and the Tokaji producer, Oremus, in Hungary. In addition to all these, Macan, a Rioja based wine producer, was founded in 2009 as a joint venture between Vega Sicilia and Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

The Vega Sicilia Valbuena 4 Ano 2019 vintage displayed a drier profile compared to previous vintages, as observed during the grape tasting in early September. The grapes were healthy, with well-ripened skins due to timely rainfall. Our focus was on achieving a balance of freshness without veering into over-ripeness. Gentle extraction was ensured during fermentation, and oak vat ageing in the first year added tension to the wines. For this vintage, the use of American oak was minimized in favor of French oak with light toasts. In the second year, wooden vats contributed to the development of complex nuances and textural elegance in the wine.

Valbuena 5º 2019 presents a harmonious blend of succulence and strength, coupled with a refined delicacy. This expressive, elegant, and vibrant wine offers depth and complexity, making it a captivating choice for wine enthusiasts.