product details
key information
- Region: Castilla y Leon
- Sub-Region: n/a
- Style: red
- Vintage: 2004
- Taste guide: D
- Grape variety: 100% Tinta de Toro
- Alcohol Content (%): 15
- Organic/Vegan/Vegetarian:
The Vega Sicilia vineyards are located in Valbuena de Duero, in the province of Valladolid, on an estate made up of a fertile plain that follows the course of the river. The vineyard was first planted in the 1860s by Señor Locanda who introduced Bordelais varieties to the region along with the local Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Since 1983 Vega Sicilia has been owned by the Alvarez family.
The estate has a plantation of 250 hectares of vineyard, comprising 80% Tinto Fino and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. The soils are clay-limestone and alluvial. Yields are strictly limited to 22 hl/ha which ends up as just 2 kilos of grapes per vine.
Three styles of wine are made. Good cuvées are bottled as Valbuena and released on to the market after 5 years - typically one year in large wood, 3 years in barrels and a year in bottle. Valbuena tends to include a larger proportion of Merlot in the blend than the even more structured Unico.
The finest cuvées are aged first in large wood and then for many years in small barrels until judged ready for bottling. These wines are designated Unico and are only released following a minimum maturation period of 10 years in a combination of barrel and bottle. Some barrels of these very finest cuvées are kept back and much later on blended together for inclusion in the Reserva Especial.
Toro is located further along the Duero river from Vega Sicilia, in hotter, wilder territory as one approaches the Portuguese border (after which, the Duero becomes the famous Douro of Port fame). The Vega group began researching the area in 1997, with experimental vinifications and judicious purchases of top vineyard sites, half of which are already planted with mature 25 to 45 year old vines. The estate now possesses 96 hectares of land, including a state-of-the-art vinification and ageing facility. The 2001 vintage is the first judged worthy of release, in a limited quantity of 80 000 bottles.
Cherry red in colour, with aromas of mature red fruit, along with those of fresh strawberry, redcurrant and rosehip, with some creamy vanilla oak and tobacco elements. Full bodied, concentrated and well structured on the palate, with flavours of red berry fruit, chocolate, coffee, and pepper. Prominent tannins and good acidity, serve with roasted meats, game and cheeses.