2013 Único, Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain

The 2013 has an absolutely wonderful nose with fine red and blackberry fruit, lifted cedar spice, and a fine top note of orange peel. The aromas burst out of the glass, making the wine feel concentrated and ripe, yet all is elegant and balanced, with lightness and concentration combined. This is a Unico making a clear aromatic statement against the preconceptions of the vintage.

The palate is equally astonishing. There is something so ethereal about Unico, and 2013 as a cool vintage really complements that character. This wine is always such a juxtaposition of everything. All that gentle, ripe red and black fruit somehow envelops the palate whilst not being either heavy or rich or texturally mouthcoating; it is almost like drinking in a fragrance. Similarly, the powder puff tannins are barely perceptible, yet they are in droves.

The wine is incredibly pure and fresh with a long bouquet that doesn’t just linger normally but magnifies on the endless finish. Winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga de Juan refers to having tasted the 1939 and 1942 vintages recently and comments on how consistently and reliably these wines age due to their incredible terroir. As he says, “This is the magic of Unico”.

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd