Spain

Ribera del Duero

Vega Sicilia

Valbuena 1.5L

Tinto Fino, Merlot, Malbec

2004

90% Tinto Fino and 10% Merlot and Malbec A classic Vega Sicilia, nose of VA, violets, a little funky barnyard, plums and red berries with some dusty earth. The palate shows structure and is quite tannic for this style. Loads of mulberries and red cherries with a slightly under ripe plum note (this is a good thing). Lip smacking acid and a big ol’ finish complete the picture.

"The saturated purple 2004 Valbuena offers up an expressive perfume of mineral, scorched earth, espresso, incense, and black cherry. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, intensely flavored, spicy wine with layers of fruit, soft tannins, and a pure, lengthy finish. It will benefit from another 5-7 years of bottle age and offer optimal drinking from 2015 to 2029." - 94 points - Jay Miller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate # 183, Jun 2009 "Deep red. Exotic, highly perfumed aromas of raspberry, tobacco, potpourri and cedar, with a strong mineral overtone. Sweet cherry and red berry flavors are decadently sweet and complicated by notes of candied rose and licorice, with a mounting tobacco quality. Gains energy with air and finishes with sexy notes of floral pastilles and raspberry liqueur. Extremely sexy right now but I've no doubt that this will age for a very long time." - 94 Points - Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, September/October 2009.