100 points/'Red Wine of the Year 2021,' Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%) Vega's Reserva Especial is surely the only world-class unfortified red that's a blend of vintages - 2008, 2010 and 2011 in this instance. Made from Tinto Fino and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s the result of long and harmonious slumber in large wooden foudres after previous ageing in smaller barrels. Structured, complex and elegant, with hints of tobacco leaf and balsam, a sprinkling of sweet baking spices, focused acidity and palate-caressing tannins. Perfection. 2022-35. (2021)"
99 points James Suckling: "Sweet-berry, walnut, licorice and violet aromas that follow through to a full body with round, chewy tannins that are polished and beautiful. Notes of iron, too. The tannins are broad and mouth filling, giving a caressing and exciting texture on the palate. If you give this a year to two to soften, it will deliver even greater richness and flavor. A blend of 2008, 2010 and 2011. Great after 2023. (2/3/22)"
98 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The NV Único Reserva Especial 2022 Release is a blend of wines from 2008, 2010 and 2011, mostly Tinto Fino with some Cabernet Sauvignon mixing lots from the Único wines from those years. In the past, the blend was older vintages, but now it's wines that are around the same age as the Único. It has the complexity of mixing terroirs, vintages and grapes with parameters very similar to Único, 14.5% alcohol and good balance with a pH of 3.83 and 5.4 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). In the blend, they look for keeping the style of past blends, combining the more aged notes of the older wines and the freshness of the younger ones. I was very pleasantly surprised by the performance of this Reserva Especial, which seems to be going back to the character of the blends from yesteryear, with more finesse, elegance and nuance. This is perfumed, elegant, harmonious and balanced. It has very fine, already polished tannins and integrated acidity. 2008 and 2010 are cooler years, and they seem to give the blend this freshness and elegance. It has all the components, and especially the balance between all of them, to age nicely in bottle. 16,961 bottles and 201 magnums were filled in June 2018. Drink: 2023-2040. (Dec 2021)"
98 points/'Podium Award,' Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "(95% tinto fino, 5% cabernet sauvignon). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: balanced, complex, ripe fruit, spicy, fine reductive notes. Palate: good structure, flavourful, round tannins, balanced, great length. (2022)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "[$825 list] Delivers a gorgeous nose of tobacco, tar, leather and cured meat as a savory skein, which winds through the palate's notes of mulled black cherry, black plum reduction, wild sage and dried flowers. Medium- to full-bodied and plush in texture, this wine is both rich and expressive yet graceful and finely tailored. Tinto Fino with Cabernet Sauvignon. This edition blends the 2008, 2010 and 2011 vintages. Drink now through 2035. (7/13/22)"
99 points James Suckling: "Sweet-berry, walnut, licorice and violet aromas that follow through to a full body with round, chewy tannins that are polished and beautiful. Notes of iron, too. The tannins are broad and mouth filling, giving a caressing and exciting texture on the palate. If you give this a year to two to soften, it will deliver even greater richness and flavor. A blend of 2008, 2010 and 2011. Great after 2023. (2/3/22)"
98 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The NV Único Reserva Especial 2022 Release is a blend of wines from 2008, 2010 and 2011, mostly Tinto Fino with some Cabernet Sauvignon mixing lots from the Único wines from those years. In the past, the blend was older vintages, but now it's wines that are around the same age as the Único. It has the complexity of mixing terroirs, vintages and grapes with parameters very similar to Único, 14.5% alcohol and good balance with a pH of 3.83 and 5.4 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). In the blend, they look for keeping the style of past blends, combining the more aged notes of the older wines and the freshness of the younger ones. I was very pleasantly surprised by the performance of this Reserva Especial, which seems to be going back to the character of the blends from yesteryear, with more finesse, elegance and nuance. This is perfumed, elegant, harmonious and balanced. It has very fine, already polished tannins and integrated acidity. 2008 and 2010 are cooler years, and they seem to give the blend this freshness and elegance. It has all the components, and especially the balance between all of them, to age nicely in bottle. 16,961 bottles and 201 magnums were filled in June 2018. Drink: 2023-2040. (Dec 2021)"
98 points/'Podium Award,' Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "(95% tinto fino, 5% cabernet sauvignon). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: balanced, complex, ripe fruit, spicy, fine reductive notes. Palate: good structure, flavourful, round tannins, balanced, great length. (2022)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "[$825 list] Delivers a gorgeous nose of tobacco, tar, leather and cured meat as a savory skein, which winds through the palate's notes of mulled black cherry, black plum reduction, wild sage and dried flowers. Medium- to full-bodied and plush in texture, this wine is both rich and expressive yet graceful and finely tailored. Tinto Fino with Cabernet Sauvignon. This edition blends the 2008, 2010 and 2011 vintages. Drink now through 2035. (7/13/22)"
| Product SKU | 341891 |
| Producer | Vega Sicilia |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Ribera del Duero |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Designation | Reserva |
| Vintage | NV |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 95% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 5% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
