2017 Vega Sicilia “Valbuena 5”, Ribera del Duero, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

Valbuena 5 is the entry-level offering from Vega Sicilia. An expression of Tinto Fino aged for five years, hence the 5. Only a small percentage of Merlot is added to the blend in each vintage.

High April temperatures saw budbreak come slightly early in the vineyard, but sharp temperature changes towards the end of that month and severe widespread frosts significantly affected budbreak. The most destructive frost occurred on the night of April 27/28, though the estates frost towers helped lessen its effects. The cold front at the end of April/start of May passed over quickly, giving way to high temperatures and just enough rain, enabling the vineyard to recover. The total rainfall of just 235mm across the entire growing season was below the historical average. The significant diurnal temperature variations during the first fortnight of September contributed to the ripeness and balance of the finished wine.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

There are people who believe that the myth of Vega Sicilia was due to its being an aristocratic wine, in scarce supply, and only within the means of a fortunate few; an object of desire that only a privileged minority could enjoy. However, what many do not know, is that the real origin of the legend lies in a story of hope, commitment and patience on the banks of the River Duero, as it runs through the heart of Castilla, where the river laps against and nourishes a unique and exceptional, nearly magical estate.

This wise, hard, gnarled and barren land was destined for something great. It had to join forces with time to fulfill its great dream: to give the best of itself, achieve extraordinary crops that would fill it with pride and show off the splendour of nature. Yet, to do so, land and time needed man’s help. Someone to be their eyes and hands and farm in line with nature’s rhythms. As only in that way, when we are humble enough to accept nature’s way, do we achieve exceptional results.

Centuries passed waiting for someone to listen to the call of this magical land. And very few people have the gift to see further, to listen to what others hear, and to feel what others do not feel. Until one day, fate brought along a man who listened to its call, a man who followed his intuition and change the traditional crop of cereals for the best vine stocks of the 19th century. A man who knew how to learn from nature, patiently respected its rhythms, looked after the land and protected time, thus achieving a perfect balance.

Autumn was the time of the grape harvest and the land could, after all, begin to dream, for which it was pre-destined; the grapes proved to be of an unrivalled quality and personality and, after maturing in the silence and solitude of the winery, became one of the greatest legends of the history of wine – Vega Sicilia was finally born.