Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanter 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruit: mixed brambles, plum, black cherry pie with slightly burnt crust, cocoa, dried herbs and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is plush. The 15% is remarkably well hidden. This is one of those wines for me where I go, “How’d they do that?” But then I shouldn’t be all that surprised, this is Vega Sicilia we’re talking about. Drink now with at least a 30min decant and through 2032-ish? — 6 hours ago

Mike Evans

9.2

Rating how it is showing now, it just needs time — 20 days ago

Gladys Xiques

9.2

Exquisite. Always solid. Paired with filet mignon. — 23 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium garnet core , quite narrow terracotta rim . Spiced earthy summer fruits, blackberry , cherry , blackcurrant , some herbal hints , vanilla , tobacco, grafite and iodine. On the palate this is quite fine boned , with refreshing acidity and medium ripe , rounded tannins , balanced alcohol . More herbal and dark fruited on the palate , blackcurrant , blackberry and cherry , spiced vanilla tinged dark cherry . Tobacco and grafite tinged medium length finish . Still drinking well , this is at peak now so drink over the next 2-3 years . — 13 days ago

Bill Sweeney

9.0

Spicy red fruit, mostly cherry. Still quite a few tannins for a 10 year old. — 12 days ago

Zach Quintanilla

8.9

red fruit, dark but not overpowering, spice. Had at Total Wine Tasting 01/2025 — 18 hours ago

Momo Sa

9.2

Christmas post eve dinner — a month ago

with Mike and Steve

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2011 vintage. Last tasted 7.23.24 (9.4). Really starting to get its' groove thang on. Picked up 8 cases at the beginning of this 2025 year to pour by the glass (btg) via Coravin until the onset of summer or so. 01.04.25. — 20 days ago

Ericsson

9.6

This is a magnanimous wine and still in its youth. A non vintage blend of declared Gran Reserva vintages: 2008, 2010, and 2011. The color is still deep ruby with hits of garnet on the rim. The bouquet on the nose is strong and nuanced, layered; with notes of blackberry, cherry, plum, and additional notes of cigar box and old leather. The palate is even more extraordinary, it is very well integrated with fruit, tannins, and acidity. Velvety! Flavors of black currant, cherries and figs are savory and complimented by coffee, graphite and some anise. The finish is elegant, reminiscent of minerals. Cheers. — 24 days ago

heidi schlegel

9.9

Although not as prestigious as Unico, this Valbuena 5 was an absolute delight! Rich and balanced, it paired perfectly with fowl (pigeon). — a month ago