Vega Sicilia 2017 Valbuena, Ribera del Duero
Item Number: 39 60 246 17
Vega Sicilia 2017 Valbuena, Ribera del Duero
Legendary wine from Spain!
Quick Taste
- 96 Points
- Sought after collectible
- " Full-bodied with racy tannins and gorgeous fruit"
- "nothing short of spectacular. The wine is perfumed, floral, expressive and balsamic like few vintages before"
- "jumps out of the glass with cherry and redcurrant conserve, and flowers"
About Vega Sicilia 2017 Valbuena, Ribera del Duero
One of the greatest legends of the history of wine, Vega Sicilia, owned by the Álvarez family since 1982. Vega Sicilia wines are one of the most sought after collectibles in the world and put the Ribera del Duero on the map.
Valbuena is the purest expression of Vega Sicilia's red wine. It is aged for five years between barrel and bottle, giving rise to the wine's name: Valbuena 5.
2017 was a complex vintage influenced by frosts and drought. A quick and early harvest, definitely a challenging vintage we interpreted by extracting less during fermentation and making adjustments in ageing. The first year of ageing 10% less new oak barrels were used and ageing took place in wooden casks during the second year, essential when it comes to developing the wine's harmony and tension. 94% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and 6% Merlot.
James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "This shows wonderful aromas of blackberries, violets and sandalwood with vanilla undertones. Full-bodied with racy tannins and gorgeous fruit. Linear and very long. Slightly chewy. Needs time to come together, but already excellent quality. Drink after 2023."
The Wine Advocate scored this 96 points saying "2017 was marked by the frost of the night between April 27 and 28 that Vega Sicilia fought with their anti-frost towers. The end of the season was warm, and the overall rain was low, 235 liters. The 2017 Valbuena is marked by these circumstances, produced with 94% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and 6% Merlot, with good ripeness (14.5% alcohol) and mellow acidity (4.65 grams of tartaric acid and a pH of 3.85). The grapes were cooled down and took three to four days of maceration to start fermenting with indigenous yeasts. The wine matured in a combination of new and used French and American 225-liter oak barrels and 21,000-liter oak vats for almost three years. The result, for whatever reason, was nothing short of spectacular. The wine is perfumed, floral, expressive and balsamic like few vintages before. It doesn't feel like a 2017 at all; it is harmonious, and the tannins were fine. It's an amazing Valbuena that clearly transcends the character of the vintage. What I see here is that since 2010, the wine has a very high consistency. And in 2017 it excels."
Decanter Magazine scored this 95 points saying "Proof that in a tough year (memorable frosts and summer heat) top producers can be relied on to produce fine wines. The 2017 jumps out of the glass with cherry and redcurrant conserve, and flowers. It enters fresh, with succulent cranberry fruit. Finally finishing with dark fruits embedded in mocha and spicy fenugreek. Complete. Following the Vega Sicilia pattern, it spent its first year in barriques (20% American, 40% French). And then a second year in the impressive army of 80-220hl tinas (wooden vats)."
Wine & Spirits Magazine scored this 94 points saying "You won’t find many 2017s from Ribera del Duero with such depth and textural elegance. It was a year of frost-diminished crops, and vines struggling to mature their fruit in a dry season. (Winemaker Gonzalvo) Iturriaga harvested early, and lowered the percentage of new oak barrels. After a year, he transferred the wine to large wooden casks for the second year. This 2017 seems austere before opening to savory plum, green herb and anise. The seamless weave of the tannins puts the greatness of this terroir on display."
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type Red
- Country Spain
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