The June 2023 Auction: Part 1
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1 / 2Lot 1945
Estimate: $1,600
This auction has ended. Bidding is closed.
Collection name
Reviews
98WA
"The 2013 Release (I could write the same note for all three wines) has a beautifully complex bouquet, a silky-smooth texture, elegance, and a long, pure finish. It should drink well for another 25 years. Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the worldâs 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."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"The 2013 Release (I could write the same note for all three wines) has a beautifully complex bouquet, a silky-smooth texture, elegance, and a long, pure finish. It should drink well for another 25 years. Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the worldâs 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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Spain has the largest area under vine of any country and a deep tradition of oak-aged reds. Tempranillo-based wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero, alongside Priorat's Garnacha and Carinena, anchor its fine-wine reputation.
On Spain's high central plateau, Ribera del Duero makes powerful, concentrated Tempranillo (locally Tinto Fino). Wide day-night temperature swings yield deeply colored, structured and age-worthy reds.
Produces powerful, deeply colored Tempranillo from Spain's high plateau, prized for concentration and structure.
Spain's noble red grape, producing structured, savory wines of red fruit and leather that respond beautifully to oak aging in Rioja and Ribera del Duero.