Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Valbuena 5 2008

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Vega Sicilia’s 2008 Tinto Valbuena 5 Anos is compelling. A young, intense wine, the 2008 is going to need significant time to fully come together, but it boasts superb depth, persistence and a total sense of harmony. Hints of cedar, tobacco and sweet spices wrap around an intense core of dark fruit. (Jan 2014)"

94 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "(93% tinto fino, 7% merlot, malbec). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: creamy oak, sweet spices, coca bean, mineral, ripe fruit. Palate: rich, flavourful, full, complex. (2013)"

93 points Sara Jane Evans, MW (Decanter): "‘Complicated’ was the original verdict for the 2008 vintage. A late frost on 1 May led Vega Sicilia to subsequently use fan heaters, and this was followed by an unusually cold summer. Nevertheless, with bottle age the result today is a wine with a bold, dark heart laden with spicy tobacco and wild herb notes. A line of kumquat citric freshness finishes it off, setting it apart from the plush exuberance of the 2011 and 2006. Drinking Window: 2018-2025. (Apr 2018)"

93 points Wine & Spirits: "Made from the younger vines at Vega Sicilia—80 percent tinto fino, the balance cabernet and merlot—this is one of the best vintages of Valbuena in recent memory: a fountain of red fruit, intense in flavor, yet with more lively freshness than typical for Ribera del Duero. The acidity forms a steel rail that projects the flavors and nuanced aromas off into the distance. It’s surprisingly easy to drink, especially for a wine of this price. (Jun 2014)"