BODEGAS Y VINEDOS VEGA SICILIA Tinto Valbuena 5 - Ribera del Duero 2021 MAGNUM (150cl) (BW)

Description

96% Tinto Fino, 4% Merlot, 14%abv

A poised expression of Vega Sicilia’s meticulous viticulture from an excellent vintage.

Valbuena 5º 2021 is shaped through a five year ageing regime that progresses from oak barrels to large wooden vats, into stainless steel and then finally aging in bottle. This sequence is designed to develop structure and balance, allowing the wine to evolve gradually and with precision. The final wine shows the composure and harmony expected of an outstanding year, carrying the depth and focus that signal strong potential for long development.

The 2021 vintage is widely regarded as one of Ribera del Duero’s strongest in recent years. A long, cooler growing cycle encouraged slow, even ripening, producing wines noted for their precision. Independent assessments place 2021 among the standout vintages of the decade, and Valbuena 2021 reflects this quality, highlighted by the winery as “a wine we will never forget”.

The Vintage
The 2021 growing season began with a mild autumn and early winter. Storm Filomena brought snow and very low temperatures in January. Spring brought timely rainfall, leading to optimal timing for budbreak in early April. A cool summer encouraged steady ripening and September remained dry. Harvest took place from 30th September to 10th October.

JAMES SUCKLING 98
One of the finest Valbuenas available, showcasing great depth, structure and detail while remaining polished. It exhibits notes of blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, and high-quality sandalwood, with hints of lard and violets. The standout feature this year is the quantity and quality of the tannins—huge, yet incredibly refined and polished. There are plenty of fine grits that aren’t fully integrated but should harmonize in two to three years. Exceptionally long finish. Will hold effortlessly for the next 20 years. 176,000 bottles produced.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor

JANCIS ROBINSON 18.5
This Valbuena is, for me, a particularly special edition. The texture is silky, almost haute couture, with delicately pitched black fruit, graphite ink notes and impeccably integrated oak. Cedar, black cherry and a faint mineral line shape the aromas, while the palate shows seductive perfume, refined structure and a tannin profile that is both silky and full of promise. Tertiary elements are barely emerging – just a whisper of elegant leather – suggesting a long and graceful evolution ahead. An impressive Valbuena, and one of my favourites in the entire 2026 Vega Sicilia release. (FC)
Drink: 2026-2050

TIM ATKIN 96
It's not a surprise that the 2021 Valbuena is so distinguished, given the quality of the 2021 vintage in Ribera del Duero. Blending Tempranillo and 4% Merlot from the extensive Vega Sicilia estate, this is a younger-vine cuvée from ten to 20-year-old parcels. Curated in 75% new French and 25% American oak, followed by extra time in foudres, it has the structure, focus and intensity of an outstanding year, with subtle aromas of toast, vanilla and graphite, layers of liquorice, plum and blackberry and succulent, fine-grained tannins. Deceptively approachable, this is a wine to cellar and savour. 2029-40

THE WINE ADVOCATE 96
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date: 2027 - 2039
The 2021 Valbuena comes from a year with pristine grapes, good ripeness and balance, for them one of their finest years when they didn't have to rush and everything happened in a smooth way. The year was marked by the snowstorm Filomena in January, which provided good water reserves, and the rest of the winter had temperatures reaching -15 degrees Celsius! This was a blend of 96% Tinto Fino (a.k.a. Tempranillo) and 4% Merlot aged in barrels and 8,500- and 21,000-liter oak vats during the first year and later only in oak vats. This is the youngest expression of the "Vega" nose, subtler and elegant, more insinuating, less developed and keeping some primary notes, not as tertiary as the Únicos. It comes in at 14% alcohol, with a pH of 3.85 and 4.65 grams of acidity, and it has a medium- to full-bodied palate, with elegant tannins and very good balance. This is one of the finest recent vintages for Valbuena, and in a way, it reminded me of the 2010, with elegance and precision. A total of 176,876 bottles, 5,566 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in May 2024.