1976 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero

Definitely a vintage to enjoy now. Sliding gently into its maturity with aromas of forest floor and truffles. The palate still has a lovely juiciness, followed on by silky tannins. Subtly drying on the finish. Warm spring with April frost and a ‘normal’ harvest. The blend also includes Malbec and Albillo. 37,000 bottles and 1,500 magnums. Tasted from magnum. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2030
Tasted by: Sarah Jane Evans MW (at Vega Sicilia anniversary tasting, 06 Sep 2022)
Part of Vega Sicilia Único: anniversary vertical tasting of 40 vintages

Definitely a vintage to enjoy now. Sliding gently into its maturity with aromas of forest floor and truffles. The palate still has a lovely juiciness, followed on by silky tannins. Subtly drying on the finish. Warm spring with April frost and a ‘normal’ harvest. The blend also includes Malbec and Albillo. 37,000 bottles and 1,500 magnums. Tasted from magnum.

The 1976 Único was produced with 60% Tinto Fino, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 2% Malbec and Albillo with 13.5% alcohol, and it probably aged longer in oak and was possibly bottled at different times according to demand. There might be some bottle variation in the old wines (like elsewhere in the world, it was not the same as today...), and the 1970s were not the best decade for Único. But this 1976 was quite good, better than the 1972 but not as good as the 1974, ripe, juicy and a bit liquorous, despite keeping the poise at 13.5% alcohol. It's tasty and supple, rounder and with more volume, more in the style of the rounder years. Production was "only" 37,000 bottles and 1,500 magnums. Artwork by Florencio Galindo. Even if the appellation didn't exist when these grapes were harvested, the old vintages were later given the appellation of origin.

60% Tinto Fino, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Malbec and Albillo. April frosts delayed budding; otherwise, normal weather conditions. Harvest 8 October. 37,000 bottles and 1,500 magnums. From magnum. Pale ruby. A little simpler on the nose and more obviously sweet on the palate than the 1980. Just holding on… Violets and liquorice. (JR)