26 vintages of Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s greatest wines

spain

26 vintages of Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s greatest wines

Remarkable tasting, this morning, at The Square restaurant in London. 26 vintage of Vega Sicilia back to 1920.

There’s something special about Vega Sicilia. It is unique. It is long-lived. It is Spain’s undisputed star, and the wines are made today pretty much in the way they always have been (although for the last couple of decades they have been bottled earlier, and then aged in bottle, as opposed to longer ageing in cask).

This is not a full write up (that will come later); rather a quick summary. Of the younger wines, 2004, 1994 and 1989 were the stand-outs. Moving back, 1983 and 1982 were thrilling. 1980, 1972 and 1969 were also brilliant. My birth year, 1967, was not quite as good, but still showed beautifully. 1964 was wine of the tasting: utterly compelling, elegant and pure. Of the older wines, 1953 has a great reputation, but here showed too much oxidation/VA. 1942 was superb: certainly quite old, but very much alive and sweetly fruited. 1925 was quite interesting, if not all that pleasurable, while 1920 was sadly dead.

Vintages tried: 2005, 2004, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1994, 1989, 1990, 1987, 1983, 1982, 1980, 1979, 1976, 1973, 1972, 1969, 1967, 1965, 1964, 1960, 1957, 1953, 1942, 1925, 1920

Here’s a film of the tasting:

1 Comment on 26 vintages of Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s greatest winesTagged ,
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

One thought on “26 vintages of Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s greatest wines

  1. Have a case of the 79 Jamie but have been told it still needs plenty of time. What was it like yesterday?
    Been trying to get hold of some 74 but see you did not taste that vintage. Friends tell me it is one of the very best.

Leave a Reply

Back To Top