The 2005 Valbuena is purple/black in color with an alluring nose of pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, espresso, incense, and blackberry. On the palate it reveals its elegant personality, round texture, savory flavors, and lengthy, pure finish. It merits 4-6 years of cellaring to fully unwind and will offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2030.
Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the world’s great red wines. The Valbuena bottling receives 3 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle prior to release. On the occasion of my visit in May 2010, the three Reserva Especials already in bottle and awaiting release were tasted side by side. They are identified (for the purposes of this review only) as the 2013 Release, the 2012 Release, and the 2011 Release. I was not told what vintages are in each bottling but it actually makes little difference. The Reserva Especials are blended to a house style designed to reflect Vega Sicilia at its very best. The vagaries of vintage (as reflected in Unico) are blended away leaving a wine that is, in my opinion, better than any of the single vintage wines with the possible exception of the 1942.
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Vega Sicilia Ribera Del Duero Valbuena 5° 2005 750ml
Rated 93 by Wine Advocate
The 2005 Valbuena is purple/black in color with an alluring nose of pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, espresso, incense, and blackberry. On the palate it reveals its elegant personality, round texture, savory flavors, and lengthy, pure finish. It merits 4-6 years of cellaring to fully unwind and will offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2030.
Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the world’s great red wines. The Valbuena bottling receives 3 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle prior to release. On the occasion of my visit in May 2010, the three Reserva Especials already in bottle and awaiting release were tasted side by side. They are identified (for the purposes of this review only) as the 2013 Release, the 2012 Release, and the 2011 Release. I was not told what vintages are in each bottling but it actually makes little difference. The Reserva Especials are blended to a house style designed to reflect Vega Sicilia at its very best. The vagaries of vintage (as reflected in Unico) are blended away leaving a wine that is, in my opinion, better than any of the single vintage wines with the possible exception of the 1942.
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Bright ruby. Complex bouquet melds dried cherry, licorice, potpourri and minerals, plus a subtle smoky undertone. Very sweet and creamy in texture, offering intense red fruit flavors that gain power and spiciness with aeration. Picks up notes of cassis and cherry pit on the back end and finishes with impressive breadth and lingering sweetness. This is still a baby. By the way, the 1998 has years ahead of it but is showing a wild, pungent bouquet of dried herbs and flowers and excellent, mineral-driven red fruit right now.
Rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast
Opens with classy aromas of lavender, thyme, sage and medicinality, i.e. plum liqueur. Super silky and smooth in the mouth, with velvety tannins and an elegance not found in most of the staunch, powerful wines of the region. Finishes almost creamy, with notes of tobacco, vanilla and cedar. 85% Tempranillo with 15% Merlot and Malbec.
Valbuena is the purest expression of red wine at Vega Sicilia and is aged for five years between barrel and bottle, which lends its name to the end product: Valbuena 5º.