Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend

Let’s get one thing clear right away: this was more about checking in on the early days of a wine that has a history of lasting for decades. Having that out of the way, it’s fun to check in on great wines in their youth, when you get the opportunity. Splash decanted sometime before service, no formal notes. The 2016 “Unico” is already showing its quality with abundant, beautifully ripened fruit and effortless elegance. That being said, having some experience with properly aged Unico, the better days (to my palate) are well ahead. Drink now if you have multiple bottles and can’t help yourself. Give it some air at least. Otherwise, better after 2036 and through 2076, probably.

Gorgeous stuff. I really enchanting nose with great fruit that is fully resolved. The telltale soft oak presence warms and underpins this delicious wine. Complex and perfectly poised… This is great stuff, and a good time to be drinking it.

Opened about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout but maybe even a touch better on Day 2? The 1976 “Unico” pours a garnet color with a slightly orange rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with intoxicating notes of cassis, black cherry, red plum, dried flowers, coffee (for dayz), tobacco, leather, sandalwood, some organic earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with gorgeous texture. This bottle came across remarkably young and supremely elegant. So much so, that I thought it was an inspired decision by one of our brothers-in-wine to include it in this particular lineup. We had a little leftover for the next day and it continued to show well. Brilliant stuff. Drink now through 2046+

Unfortunately, it was totally oxidated, which is weird but these wines from the 1990s don’t seem to have the longevity of the wines from the 1960s or even 1970s. This bottle in particular was always kept on its side in cool dark basements not totally temperature controlled, but in no way you should have suffered or had a problem and the cork was perfectly fine when extracted so it seems to me like the cork was a good quality cork. #premox #vegasicilia #riberadelduero

Amazing bottle. 10 years of bottle aging.

Vintage 1995 | topnotch, a treat. Paired with a Tournedos, sheer perfection. First impression: truffle! Layers of other impressions: tobacco, leather, porcini. Is drinking at its prime now | at Bistro C | Thanks @Liselotte Brouwers just as old as the wine…

2000 Unico is drinking very well but still so young. The millennium vintage will live forever.

2010 Way better!

A top vintage for Unico, and one to live forever, 04 is in an amazing spot, decadently layered and hedonistic with an impeccable balance of both power and elegance. The palate is expansive, silky and rich with melting tannins and massive length. A stellar Unico.

Soft around the edges. Hints of tobacco and tar. Lovely presence