The 2019 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 Year Old Tinto is a proprietary red blend from the esteemed Vega Sicilia estate in Ribera Del Duero, Castilla y Leon, Spain. This wine primarily consists of Tempranillo, with a 3% addition of Merlot. It boasts an alcohol content of 14.5%. The wine undergoes an extensive aging process, spending up to two years in a combination of foudres and various oak barrels.

Reviewers have praised the 2019 Valbuena for its complexity and refinement. According to Vinous, this garnet-red wine features a “faint bluish-purple sheen” and aromas of “cedar and vanilla accompanied by plum, sour cherry and subtle pine hints.” The palate is described as “dry and velvety” with a “faintly chalky texture and supple tannins” that contribute to its “unctuous but taut character.” Vinous awarded it a score of 94.

James Suckling gave it an exceptional score of 97, highlighting its “extremely perfumed” bouquet, which includes “violets and a bouquet of flowers” as well as “blue fruits such as blueberries and raspberries.” He commended its medium-bodied nature and “beautifully crafted tannins” that provide a “superb mouthfeel and finesse.” Suckling suggests that while it’s wonderful to drink now, it will improve even further in four or five years.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate echoed the sentiment of refinement, noting that the 2019 vintage focused on maintaining freshness and avoiding excessive ripeness. This was achieved through “softer vinification” and the use of “larger vats for the élevage,” along with reduced American wood influence. The result is a wine with “very fine, silky” tannins and a perfumed, subtle nose. The publication rated it a 95, describing it as “a triumph over the conditions of the year.”

Wine Spectator praised the wine’s “quiet power,” noting its “sculpted, chalky tannins” and a “graceful range of ripe black plum and black cherry flavors” accentuated by “Earl Grey tea, violet and cigar box.” With a score of 93, Wine Spectator recommended enjoying this long, silky, and well-spiced wine now through 2035.

Overall, the 2019 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 Year Old Tinto stands out for its elegance, finely crafted tannins, and a well-balanced profile that promises to age gracefully.