Sumptuously aromatic with baskets of berries. Arrives in the mouth as promised on the nose. For enjoying already with its plump fruit, layered with sweet spices and a tang of white pepper. The tannins come in smoothly. This vintage is distinctive for being the last to have such a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (13%). I gave this the identical score in 2016. A ‘typical’ winter followed by a mild spring, warm summer with rain ‘at the right time’. 15 months in large-capacity wooden vats, 17 months in new barrels, then another 26 months in large-capacity wooden vats. Released in 2014. 87,516 bottles, 2,227 magnums, 156 double magnums and five Imperials. Tasted from magnum. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2048
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

A very classy Unico with tight, fine-grained tannins. Savory tar and dried leaves mingle with blackcurrant and wild blackberry, alongside hints of dried oregano. So refined and driven. You can feel the cabernet character shining through. This will go a long way. 87% tempranillo and 13% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drink or hold.

Pablo Alvarez described 2004 as a textbook vintage with perfect temperatures and rain just when it was needed. The 2004 has a haunting bouquet of dark brambly black fruit, cassis, honey, a tang of marmalade and bacon fat. It already boasts an intense, burly bouquet that will require years to soften. The palate is full-bodied with succulent, ripe, intense black cherries, white pepper, minerals and liquorice and it fans out beautifully towards the finish with tar-tinged black fruit interlaced with black pepper. This is a multi-dimensional Unico, more masculine and grander than the 2005, perhaps the sibling of the 1994?