Vega Sicilia Único Reserva Especial 2026 Release ('11, '12, '14) NV

100 points/'Red Wine of the Year 2025,' Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%). Great bodegas step up to the plate and deliver perfection on a regular basis. This is the second Reserva Especial release in succession to earn 100 points from me and it's not a score I give lightly. Blended by Gonzalo Iturriaga, it's a seamless, layered assemblage of two hot vintages (2011 and 2012) and one cool one (2014) that is so much more than the sum of its parts. Made with a pre-phylloxera clone of Tempranillo and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, it's a scented, savoury delight, marrying aromas of mint, baking spices and Mediterranean herbs with a palate of bramble, plum and wild strawberry, subtle French and American oak sweetness, undertones of umami and autumn leaves and a stylish volatile lift. Approachable enough to drink on release, but will grow in stature with further bottle age. World class. 2028-45. (2025)"

99 points Zekun Shuai (JamesSuckling.com): "This is a blend of the concentrated and structured 2011, 2013 (sic) and 2014 vintages. The wine displays impeccable tannins, complexity and length, feeling remarkably complete due to its aging. Expect notes of blackberries, accompanied by a subtle balsamic nuance and high-quality cedar. The wine remains plush yet restrained and layered, showcasing abundant tannins in a melted, dissolved state. Release in 2026. It already drinks beautifully now but will benefit from additional years of aging in the bottle. Drink on release or hold. (7/25/25)"

98 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The NV Único Reserva Especial 2026 Release was produced with a blend of wines from 2011, 2012 and 2014, similar vintages to 2025, with wine from 2014 instead of 2013 this time, mostly Tinto Fino with some Cabernet Sauvignon. It has the customary 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.86 and 4.8 grams of acidity. They are trying to use older wines for this blend, the 2011 and 2012 are the same, and 2014 was a better vintage than 2013. This is a blending exercise in search of the Vega Sicilia character, with complexity, the older wines providing nuance and elegance and the younger wines adding freshness. This has a magnificent palate, sleek, polished and elegant, with fine-grained tannins. A total of 18,618 bottles and 264 magnums were produced. It was bottled in May 2022. Drink 2027-2043. (01/15/26)."

18/20 points Ferran Centelles (JancisRobinson.com): "A blend of 96% Tinto Fino and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2026 edition is composed approximately of 35% 2011, 45% 2012, which provides the core and structure of the wine, and 20% 2014, which brings lift and freshness to the base.