98 points Robert Parker: "This bodega has produced many profound wines, but the 1994 Unico Reserva may be the greatest vintage released since their legendary 1970 and 1968. A truly prodigious effort, it boasts an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet, expansive bouquet of sweet cherries interwoven with black currant, truffle, licorice, and scorched earth aromas. Full-bodied, potent, powerful, and well-delineated with crisp acidity, sweet but noticeable tannin, a multidimensional, expansive, layered palate feel, and a pure yet refreshing finish, it should be a wine for the history books. Anticipated maturity: now-2035. (Jun 2005)"
97 points Sarah Jane Evans, MW (Decanter): "Fresh, lifted aromas of flowers and fruits. In the mouth, there’s a distinctive balsamic character with notes of iodine and mineral that typically appear at around 20 years of age. Smooth, very long and memorable. Contains 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cold winter, mild and wet spring; a ‘normal' harvest, says Vega Sicilia. 24 months in large-capacity wooden vats, 22 months in new casks, 30 months in semi-new, finishing with 30 months in large-capacity wooden vats. 96,280 bottles, 2,196 magnums and 150 double magnums. Tasted from magnum. Drinking Window: 2022-2035. (9/6/22)"
97 points Peñín Guide: "(80% tinto fino, 15% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot) Rather intense brick red edge. Fine aroma, somewhat closed, with a rich expression of ripe black fruit and spicy notes (old leather, carpentry, hints of incense, liquorice). Generous, fleshy palate with very obvious fruit and oak tannins, well-cloaked by the alcohol, spices and creamy toast in the retronasal passage (chocolate, coffee) and a pleasantly bitter oak tannin finish. (2005)"
97 points James Suckling: "A dense, intense wine with firm and chewy layers of cocoa, thyme, oregano and dark fruit, together with hints of eucalyptus and balsamic. Medium to full body with lightly chewy tannins. Broad and firm finish. 85% tempranillo and 15% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drink or hold. (9/6/22)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "Still dark in color, with alluring aromas of blackberry, mineral and cigar box, this red shows a firm, fresh, balanced palate, with black cherry, vanilla, mineral and floral flavors that mingle over firm, well-integrated tannins and float onto a long finish. It's harmonious, lively and complex, not showy but with great beauty and character. Drink now through 2012. (11/15/05)"
95 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$350 list] Full ruby-red. Knockout nose combines roasted blackberry, minerals, cedar, graphite and flowers; reminded me of a very ripe vintage of Chateau Lafite. Creamy and sweet, but with penetrating, perfectly integrated acids and a structure of steel. Powerful yet wonderfully elegant wine, with flavors of crushed redcurrant, minerals, flowers, chocolate and truffle. Finishes with great length and grip. An outstanding vintage for Unico, with the sheer acid structure and flavor intensity to go on in bottle for at least another two decades. (Sep/Oct 2005)"
97 points Sarah Jane Evans, MW (Decanter): "Fresh, lifted aromas of flowers and fruits. In the mouth, there’s a distinctive balsamic character with notes of iodine and mineral that typically appear at around 20 years of age. Smooth, very long and memorable. Contains 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cold winter, mild and wet spring; a ‘normal' harvest, says Vega Sicilia. 24 months in large-capacity wooden vats, 22 months in new casks, 30 months in semi-new, finishing with 30 months in large-capacity wooden vats. 96,280 bottles, 2,196 magnums and 150 double magnums. Tasted from magnum. Drinking Window: 2022-2035. (9/6/22)"
97 points Peñín Guide: "(80% tinto fino, 15% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot) Rather intense brick red edge. Fine aroma, somewhat closed, with a rich expression of ripe black fruit and spicy notes (old leather, carpentry, hints of incense, liquorice). Generous, fleshy palate with very obvious fruit and oak tannins, well-cloaked by the alcohol, spices and creamy toast in the retronasal passage (chocolate, coffee) and a pleasantly bitter oak tannin finish. (2005)"
97 points James Suckling: "A dense, intense wine with firm and chewy layers of cocoa, thyme, oregano and dark fruit, together with hints of eucalyptus and balsamic. Medium to full body with lightly chewy tannins. Broad and firm finish. 85% tempranillo and 15% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drink or hold. (9/6/22)"
96 points Wine Spectator: "Still dark in color, with alluring aromas of blackberry, mineral and cigar box, this red shows a firm, fresh, balanced palate, with black cherry, vanilla, mineral and floral flavors that mingle over firm, well-integrated tannins and float onto a long finish. It's harmonious, lively and complex, not showy but with great beauty and character. Drink now through 2012. (11/15/05)"
95 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$350 list] Full ruby-red. Knockout nose combines roasted blackberry, minerals, cedar, graphite and flowers; reminded me of a very ripe vintage of Chateau Lafite. Creamy and sweet, but with penetrating, perfectly integrated acids and a structure of steel. Powerful yet wonderfully elegant wine, with flavors of crushed redcurrant, minerals, flowers, chocolate and truffle. Finishes with great length and grip. An outstanding vintage for Unico, with the sheer acid structure and flavor intensity to go on in bottle for at least another two decades. (Sep/Oct 2005)"
| Product SKU | 350885 |
| Producer | Vega Sicilia |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Ribera del Duero |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Vintage | 1994 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Ships To |
