We pulled together a small group here in New York a few weeks ago to taste through some older Vega Sicilias. Six bottles total, all opened the same night.
Valbuena: 1982, 1986, 1987. The 82 was on the way down but still had that dusty old-riberas-meets thing going on. 86 was probably the most balanced of the three, lots of dried fig and tobacco, still fresh acidity. 87 felt a bit more rustic next to it.
Único: Reserva Especial, 1995, and 1952. The 95 was beautiful, dense, sweet fruit, very long. The Reserva Especial drank like Reserva Especial usually does, polished and a bit predictable in that good way.
The 1952 was something else. I went in expecting a tired old bottle and instead got this incredibly alive wine, perfumed, sweet red fruit somehow still there, that savory cured-meat thing on the finish. Nobody at the table really spoke for a minute when we tried it.
We’re doing another tasting night in NYC on May 9th. More Vega Sicilia, including a Único 1917, plus two Castillo Ygay from the 70s and 90s in the mix.
If anyone’s curious drop a comment or DM me and I’ll send details.
by Relevant_Humor_8123