The 2004 Vega Sicilia Unico is a highly acclaimed red wine from the Ribera Del Duero region in Castilla y Leon, Spain. Produced by the esteemed Vega Sicilia winery, this proprietary blend predominantly features Tempranillo with a notable 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine boasts an alcohol content of 14.0% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
Jancis Robinson awarded this wine a near-perfect score of 98, describing it as "dark purplish crimson" with an "opulent" aroma and a "beautifully balanced" palate. Robinson highlighted the wine's "seductive and already complex undertow" and its "mineral finish," describing it as "really stunning – explosive!"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with reviewer Luis Gutiérrez, also gave the wine a score of 98. Gutiérrez praised the 2004 Unico for its "very fine, elegant and balanced" character, noting its developing tertiary notes and the signature Vega Sicilia perfume. He emphasized its longevity, suggesting it "should go on for decades," and noted that the wine is medium to full-bodied with a "fine thread and very good balance."
Wine Spectator provided a slightly lower score of 94 but still found much to admire. Reviewer TM described the wine as "expressive" with "lacy notes of floral, cedar, tobacco, spice and orange peel." TM highlighted the wine's "lean, firm texture" and "long, spicy finish," recommending it for drinking through 2024.
Wine Enthusiast, awarding another excellent score of 98, praised the wine's "elegant and silky" mouthfeel, noting flavors of "baked berry fruits, baking spices, herbs and cocoa." The review emphasized the wine's complexity and potential for aging well through 2035.
Jamie Goode, writing for Wineanorak, gave the wine a score of 94, describing it as "rich, sweet, powerful and intense" with "lovely sweet berry fruits" and notes of "herbs, vanilla and coconut." Goode found the palate to be "structured" with a "very sweet fruit profile" and some evident wood.
Decanter's review, scored at 97, highlighted the wine's ability to "jump out of the glass" with "bright black cherry and brambled autumnal fruits." The review praised its "voluptuous, powerful, layered, complex" profile, with hints of "toast, tar, chocolate shavings and smoke."
Lastly, James Suckling, also giving a score of 98, noted the wine's "tight, fine-grained tannins" and complex flavors of "savory tar and dried leaves" mingling with "blackcurrant and wild blackberry." Suckling highlighted the wine's refined nature and its potential for long-term aging.
Overall, the 2004 Vega Sicilia Unico is celebrated for its complexity, balance, and aging potential, earning high praise and excellent scores from multiple respected reviewers.