The  Unico 1998 is an intense cherry red with ruby streaks. Powerful and rich nose, with fleshy plum, fruit compote and menthol. Full and concentrated on the palate with hints of tobacco, cocoa, blackcurrant, chocolate and coffee. A complex and persistent finish, with chewy tannins and a good level of acidity.

Best served with beef, lamb or game dishes.

The Vega Sicilia vineyards are located in Valbuena de Duero, in the province of Valladolid. The vineyard was first planted in the 1860s by Señor Locanda who introduced Bordelais varieties to the region alongside 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.