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Tasting notes
The 1982 Único is definitely mature. It has a low 65% Tinto Fino and also contains 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% between Merlot and Malbec, cropped at 13.5% alcohol. The wine is ripe, with notes of hummus and mushrooms, and some dusty tannins are still noticeable, which gave the feeling that the fruit is drying out a bit. This delivered less than I expected. A bit of a question mark. Bottle variation? 2,000 magnums. Artwork by Manuel Millares. This was the year when the appellation Ribera del Duero was created, and as the wine here contains Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, those grapes were included in the list of allowed varietals for appellation wines.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
65% Tinto Fino, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and Malbec. Mild, wet winter followed by cool spring then hot summer. Early harvest (29 September). The wine remained in 20,000-litre wooden tanks for one year, then 8 months in new French oak casks, followed by 4 years in used casks before bottling. 81,500 bottles and 2,000 magnums. From magnum. Healthy ruby. Fully evolved and at least as lively as a top bordeaux 1982. Very sweet and round. Perhaps not as typically Ribera as some vintages but a lovely wine with great complexity and still some light tannin! Juicy and flattering. Amazing to be still so vivacious and fruity. (JR)
Even better than the 1990, the 1982 Unico is simply one of the very best wines I have tasted in some time. Powerful, fleshy and full of energy, the 1982 Unico is another wine that is almost overwhelmingly beautiful. A striking mélange of savory herbs, smoke and tobacco add complexity, but the 1982 is about the total package. And the 1982 has it all going on. In a word: Magnificent.
Celebrated year (presumably boosted by Bordeaux’s reputation). Big, broad and rich but without quite the vitality of the 1983. Very flattering. But perhaps just slightly flat next to the 1982. (JR)
About the producer
Vega Sicilia is undoubtably Spain’s most famous winery; a true icon in fine wine with a history dating back to 1864.