Vega Sicilia, Unico Reserva Especial, MV, 2025 Release

"This is Vega Sicilia's 2025 release. A mix of three vintages: 2011, 2012 and 2013. Blackberries, ashtray, incense, fine spices, dark chocolate and touches of black pepper and balsamic. Almost something bloody, but the highlight is really the sheer, velvety sheet of sweet, fully melted tannins, which are ultra-polished and refined. The long finish goes on well over a minute. Drink on release or hold."

"The NV Único Reserva Especial 2025 Release was produced with a blend of wines from 2011, 2012 and 2013, with 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.86 and five grams of acidity. It has the core of the 2012, possibly the higher percentage in the blend too, which gives the power and structure with the freshness and tension of 2013, which also provides some balsamic characteristics, and less of the 2011. It has a very harmonious and subtle nose, and the wine shows extra complexity and elegance. It has the Único nose with more nuance and subtleness, but what I liked the most was the silky texture and the elegance of the tannins, as usual combining more developed characteristics with elegance and freshness. This is another stellar release of their non-vintage classical blend, slowly going back to the style of yesteryear. A total of 18,518 bottles and 261 magnums were produced. It was bottled in May 2021."