97 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "($505 list; fermented in large oak tanks and aged for six years in new French and American oak barriques) Saturated ruby. Explosively perfumed aromas of fresh ripe red fruits, floral oils, pipe tobacco and incense take on sexy vanilla and woodsmoke nuances as the wine opens up. Densely packed yet shockingly lithe on the palate, offering intense cherry liqueur, red currant and spicecake flavors given spine by a core of juicy acidity. Shows superb energy and clarity, finishing sweet, smoky and extremely long; velvety tannins add gentle grip. Drink: 2022-2036. (May 2017)"
96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "It's mostly Tempranillo with some 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and aged for almost six years in 225-liter French and American oak barrels and 20,000-liter oak vats. The extra time in bottle has helped the wine to develop its bouquet, and it feels very aromatic and open, with the classical Vega Sicilia perfume of yesteryear, earthy, leafy and spicy, even if they wine was kept because of its power. It's still powerful, but at the same time it's elegant and has a polished mouthfeel and fine-grained tannins... Drink: 2017-2030. (Feb 2017)"
96 points Sarah Jane Evans, MW (Decanter): "Vega Sicilia note that this vintage, like 2006, needed an additional two years ageing in bottle to present itself at its best. On the nose it promises power, on the palate there a layers of redcurrants and cherry compote. Beneath that lurks notable dryness. Still seems young with that energetic tannin grip. Give it time. Dry winter, dry spring, hot summer bringing an early cycle, before a healthy, early harvest. Yield 25hl/ha. One and a half years in new oak, one year in used barrels, then about two and a half years in large-format tanks. 93,553 bottles, 2,391 magnums, 146 double magnums and six Imperials. Tasted from magnum. Drinking Window: 2028-2045. (Sep 2022)"
96 points Wine & Spirits: "[$505 list] The N-122 runs like a spine across Ribera del Duero from east to west, separating the Vega Sicilia winery from the Unico vineyards across the road. Those vineyards face north, on undulating slopes rich in chalk, and give wines that can live for decades. That’s the case for this 2005. The concentration of this vintage was so great that Vega Sicilia held the bottles back an extra couple of years; now, that patience has been rewarded with a beautiful, enchanting complexity of aromas and flavors that encompass earth, spice, roses, black fruits and minerals. It still feels tense and energetic, a lively, radiant Unico that will continue to develop for at least a decade in bottle--even though now, sitting in front of a half-empty glass, it is difficult to imagine how it can be better. It can. (Jun 2017)"
96 points James Suckling: "This has lovely balance and texture, with a smooth and creamy array of blackberries, dried leaves, hazelnuts, praline and cigar box. Medium-to full-bodied with lightly grainy tannins. 94% tempranillo and 6% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drink or hold. (9/6/22)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "This polished red offers flavors of tobacco, cedar and leather, with a core of cherry and tea. Firm tannins support the thick, smooth texture, while lively acidity keeps this balanced. Harmonious and long. Drink now through 2028. (6/30/17)"
94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2005 vintage of Único is a riper example than the classically-proportioned 2009, and Gonzalo Iturriaga and I disagreed a bit about its future potential, with Gonzalo loving the wine’s great inner strength and foreseeing great things down the road, but my leaning towards the more impeccable balance of the 2009 as the cornerstone of future magic. In any case, the 2005 is certainly a very fine bottle in its own right and offers up a deep, ripe and sappy bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, chocolate, cigar smoke, a good base of soil tones, pipe tobacco and new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and quite powerful in personality in this vintage, with a sappy core, ripe, firm tannins and very good balance (particularly for its slightly higher octane) and grip on the long and palate-staining finish. The cépages here is the same as the 2009, with ninety-four percent tempranillo and six percent cabernet sauvignon comprising the blend in 2005. I should mention that the last time I tasted the 2005 Único, a couple of years ago, I liked it even better than on this occasion, so the wine may have just gone into one of its more closed phases of late and I am underrating it a touch today! 2027-2100. (Jan/Feb 2020).
96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "It's mostly Tempranillo with some 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and aged for almost six years in 225-liter French and American oak barrels and 20,000-liter oak vats. The extra time in bottle has helped the wine to develop its bouquet, and it feels very aromatic and open, with the classical Vega Sicilia perfume of yesteryear, earthy, leafy and spicy, even if they wine was kept because of its power. It's still powerful, but at the same time it's elegant and has a polished mouthfeel and fine-grained tannins... Drink: 2017-2030. (Feb 2017)"
96 points Sarah Jane Evans, MW (Decanter): "Vega Sicilia note that this vintage, like 2006, needed an additional two years ageing in bottle to present itself at its best. On the nose it promises power, on the palate there a layers of redcurrants and cherry compote. Beneath that lurks notable dryness. Still seems young with that energetic tannin grip. Give it time. Dry winter, dry spring, hot summer bringing an early cycle, before a healthy, early harvest. Yield 25hl/ha. One and a half years in new oak, one year in used barrels, then about two and a half years in large-format tanks. 93,553 bottles, 2,391 magnums, 146 double magnums and six Imperials. Tasted from magnum. Drinking Window: 2028-2045. (Sep 2022)"
96 points Wine & Spirits: "[$505 list] The N-122 runs like a spine across Ribera del Duero from east to west, separating the Vega Sicilia winery from the Unico vineyards across the road. Those vineyards face north, on undulating slopes rich in chalk, and give wines that can live for decades. That’s the case for this 2005. The concentration of this vintage was so great that Vega Sicilia held the bottles back an extra couple of years; now, that patience has been rewarded with a beautiful, enchanting complexity of aromas and flavors that encompass earth, spice, roses, black fruits and minerals. It still feels tense and energetic, a lively, radiant Unico that will continue to develop for at least a decade in bottle--even though now, sitting in front of a half-empty glass, it is difficult to imagine how it can be better. It can. (Jun 2017)"
96 points James Suckling: "This has lovely balance and texture, with a smooth and creamy array of blackberries, dried leaves, hazelnuts, praline and cigar box. Medium-to full-bodied with lightly grainy tannins. 94% tempranillo and 6% cabernet sauvignon. Tasted from magnum. Drink or hold. (9/6/22)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "This polished red offers flavors of tobacco, cedar and leather, with a core of cherry and tea. Firm tannins support the thick, smooth texture, while lively acidity keeps this balanced. Harmonious and long. Drink now through 2028. (6/30/17)"
94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2005 vintage of Único is a riper example than the classically-proportioned 2009, and Gonzalo Iturriaga and I disagreed a bit about its future potential, with Gonzalo loving the wine’s great inner strength and foreseeing great things down the road, but my leaning towards the more impeccable balance of the 2009 as the cornerstone of future magic. In any case, the 2005 is certainly a very fine bottle in its own right and offers up a deep, ripe and sappy bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, chocolate, cigar smoke, a good base of soil tones, pipe tobacco and new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and quite powerful in personality in this vintage, with a sappy core, ripe, firm tannins and very good balance (particularly for its slightly higher octane) and grip on the long and palate-staining finish. The cépages here is the same as the 2009, with ninety-four percent tempranillo and six percent cabernet sauvignon comprising the blend in 2005. I should mention that the last time I tasted the 2005 Único, a couple of years ago, I liked it even better than on this occasion, so the wine may have just gone into one of its more closed phases of late and I am underrating it a touch today! 2027-2100. (Jan/Feb 2020).
| Product SKU | 701828 |
| Producer | Vega Sicilia |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Ribera del Duero |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Vintage | 2005 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
