Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5th Year 2019

Valbuena 5th Year 2019: New vintage of Vega Sicilia

The Valbuena 5º Año 2019 is the latest jewel from the emblematic Vega Sicilia winery, a brand that continues to set standards in the production of exceptional wines. This vintage stands out for having been born in a year classified as Excellent by the D.O. Ribera del Duero. With 97% fine red wine (Tempranillo) and 3% merlot, this wine reflects a perfect balance between power and subtlety, resulting in a succulent, powerful, tense and delicate red wine at the same time. It is expressive, elegant, joyful and profound, characteristics that make it unique in its class.

This vintage has been drier than previous ones, which was reflected in the grape tasting at the beginning of September. The grapes, very healthy thanks to the rains of the season, allowed the skins to ripen well. The winery focused on finding a point of freshness without falling into excessive maturation, carrying out gentle extraction during fermentation. The aging was adapted, aging part of the wine in vats during the first year to seek more tension. In this vintage, less prominence was given to American oak and more to French oak, especially with fresh toasts. During the second year of aging, the vats worked on the complexity of nuances and elegance in texture.

Preparation and Aging
The Valbuena 5º Año 2019 is nourished by vines with an average age of 35 years, located at an altitude of between 700 and 900 meters. These vines, with low yields (3100 kg/ha), are harvested manually in small 12 kg boxes to preserve the integrity of the grapes. The aging of the wine lasts five years, combining vats, barrels and bottles, using both French and American wood. The barrels used are 225 liters, both new and used, and 20,000 liter vats. This long and complex aging process highlights the greatness of the terroir of Finca Vega Sicilia, which has 210 hectares of vineyards.

History of the Vega Sicilia Winery
Founded a century and a half ago, Vega Sicilia is one of the most revered wineries in the world, with a history that precedes the creation of the D.O. Ribera del Duero. In 1864, Eloy Lecanda founded the winery in Valbuena de Duero (Valladolid) after inheriting a 2,000 hectare farm from his father. Lecanda introduced strains of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Pinot Noir from Bordeaux, alternating their cultivation with local grapes.
After the sale of the winery, Cosme Palacio, founder of Bodegas Palacio de Rioja, acquired the exploitation rights. Under the direction of Txomin Garramiola, the winery adopted Bordeaux oenological techniques, renewing the barrel park and modernizing the winepress. In 1915, the iconic wines Vega Sicilia Único and Valbuena were born, consolidating the winery among the world’s wine elite. Of the almost 1,000 hectares of the estate, 210 are dedicated to the cultivation of vines. This unique terroir, influenced by the Duero River, has allowed the creation of plant material and its own genetic heritage, which together with careful management, result in exceptional wines.

Valbuena 5º Año 2019 is, without a doubt, an exceptional wine that reflects Vega Sicilia’s dedication, knowledge and passion for high-quality viticulture.