Vega Sicilia Único Reserva Especial Edición 2018

This wine was re-tasted prior to this report with similar descriptors to my previous tasting for a report I published earlier this year and the score was the same. A non-vintage blend of three different years and released in 2018, the NV Único Reserva Especial 2018 Release is composed of a blend of 58 barrels from the vintages 2005, 2006 and 2007, younger vintages than the Reserva Especial bottlings from yesteryear. It feels young and not that far away from the current vintage of Único, 2006, which is released at the same time as this. It's mostly Tempranillo with some Cabernet Sauvignon, where the aim is to keep a constant character across the different releases. It has a classical profile, with polished tannins and nice subtlety. Comparing it with the 2006 Único, it doesn't seem to have the same elegance, depth and complexity. 17,200 bottles and 216 magnums were filled in June 2014.

A blend of mainly Tinto Fino with some Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages of Unico, this shows notes of fennel, liquorice and game with a background whiff of American oak char. Silkier and more seamlessly approachable in texture than the 2006 Unico, yet intense in its fruit richness and Burgundian-like, savoury finish.