Vega-Sicilia tasting in Copenhagen earlier this year. 1922-1998

When a chance to taste several vintages of Vega-Sicilia arrives in the mailbox, you just jump right on it as it may never happen again. This cold winter evening vintages between 1998 and 1922 was being poured, a rare treat indeed. I was fortunate enough to taste several of the vintages from both bottles that was opened of each wine from two generous fellow tasters who shared to see the differences between bottles of same vintage. A very consistent tasting with a clear house style visible from the youngest to oldest. One of the most consistent tastings I've been to, only a recent Haut-Brion tasting stretching from 1918-1999 has been similarly consistent. This tasting was arranged by Bruun Rasmussen auction house in Denmark.

All bottles double decanted about one hour before serving.

1998 Alion
(Magnum) Deep ruby, floral, scented, dark berries, violets, spices and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rich but nuanced and rounded, fresh and lively, long. 90

1995 Vega-Sicilia Valbuena
Ruby, garnet rim. Tobacco, leather, cigars. Blueberries and anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rouned, heavier, lacks some nuances, slightly plump. 90

Vega-Sicilia Reserva Especial
90, 91 and 94 vintages in the blend. Ruby. Red berries, vanilla, spices, exotic, floral, rich and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, liquorice, blueberries and darker fruits, nuanced, rich and long. 94

1998 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby. Youthful, blueberries, spices, anise and heavier liquorice nose, rich and detailed, getting into its stride. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and rounded, rich and still detailed, has sharpened up since last bottle, firmer, long. 94

1994 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby. Scented, blueberries, vanilla, spices, detailed, rich but subdued nose, blackberries, blueberries and floral notes, gorgeous nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, velvety, detailed, rounded and fresh, detailed and rich, layers and waves of flavours, has added since last bottle, stunning if youthful. 96

1983 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, cedar, tobacco, anise, detailed nose, violets, leather, rich, nuanced and slightly sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, more prunes on the palate, figs, evolving, leaner palate, fresh and lively, lovely, ads more in the finish. 94

1983 Vega-Sicilia Unico
A second bottle shows a bit more fruit on the nose with a rounder and fuller body and palate. 94

1982 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, very thin brick rim. Rich nose, anise, leather, prunes, figs, some vanilla notes, detailed, spicy, lots of plums. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, sweet prunes and plums, figs, leather, anise, more biting and firmer finish, long. 93

1982 Vega-Sicilia Unico
A second bottle shows some more red berries and blueberries, bit less textured finish. 93

1979 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, brick rim. Liquorice, anise, figs, coffee, bit tight, slightly pruney nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, leaner palate, mature and some drier notes, mature and drink now. Good length. 89

1979 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Slightly fruitier and not quite as mature. 90

1975 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, garnet rim. Anise, liquorice, figs, blueberries, sexy nose, layered, nuanced and detailed, rich, maturing nicely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and ripe, fruity, rounded, refreshing, not quite as detailed, softer and easier palate, bit sweet, very long. 96

1975 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Very similar to the above bottle.

1974 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, garnet rim. Tobacco, spices, mint, exotic nose, some figs, dark berries and leather, deep nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich, fruity but narrower mid-palate and finish, long but not as exuberant as the 75. 95

1974 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Very similar bottle.

1973 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, thin brick rim. Less intense nose, some spices, prunes, figs and cheese notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh, lively, rounded, delicate but not that intense, nuanced. Tobacco-figs finish. 92

1973 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Very similar bottle.

1972 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, thin brick rim. Scented, prunes, liquorice, leather, dates, exotic nose, lovely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fresh and pruney palate, anise, sweet, very slight hung meat note, long. 92

1970 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Deepish ruby, thin brick rim. Rich nose, chocolate, blueberries, figs, leather, scented and layered, complex and refined nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, lively, nuanced, fruity, detailed, gorgeous nose, reminds me of 1970 Château Latour but with kinder texture, nuanced, rich and very long. 96

1970 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Somewhat less detailed bottle. 95

1968 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, garnet rim. Liquorice, prunes, figs, evolved nose, leather, dark chocolate, bit leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, softer tannins, fresh and elegant, red berries palate, nuanced and elegant, long finish. 92

1968 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Bit rounder and slightly more figs and somewhat fruitier finish. 93

1965 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, garnet rim. Blueberries, figs, leather, anise, black tea, jasmine and violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and leaner and slightly dry towards the finish, prunes palate, bit iodine behind, drink now bottle. 91

1960 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, brick rim. Cinnamon, spices, some prunes, spicy cake, Christmas spices nose. Fresh acidity, tannins letting go, fresh if not very fruity, but not to thin either, lingers on, refreshing and nuanced. 89

1953 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Bright ruby, brick rim. Figs, leather, prunes, liquorice in abundance, violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and lively, fruity if leaner, dark berries and figs, long. 93

1953 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Bright ruby, brick rim. Blueberries, figs, leather, liquorice, exotic, floral and detailed nose, more youthful than last bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounder palate, fruity, figs and plums, blueberries, long. 95

1948 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, brick rim. Scented, earthy, sous bois, figs, prunes, mature but sweet nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean, coffee, violets, fresh if leaner palate, refreshing, almost Burgundian finish. 90

1948 Vega-Sicilia Unico
A second bottle shows more blueberries and fruitier palate. 91

1922 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby core with brown-orange rim. Caramel, figs and spices, volatile, lean and metallic.

1922 Vega-Sicilia Unico
Ruby, orange rim. Plums, spices, violets and some dark berries clinging to their life. Fresh acidity, tannins gone, detailed if lean but lively, delicate, long and lean finish. 93