Valbuena 5° 2019
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SaleRated 97/100 by James Suckling (top 12% of their reviews).
From our sommelier team
Ribera del Duero's benchmark estate's 'younger sibling' cuvee — Tempranillo-led, five years aged, more approachable than flagship Unico.
Valbuena 5 is the second wine of Vega Sicilia, one of Spain's most historic and patient producers, made overwhelmingly from Tinto Fino (the local Ribera del Duero name for Tempranillo) with only a small seasoning of Merlot -- a Bordeaux-variety influence dating back to the estate's 1864 founding by a Bordeaux-trained winemaker. It ages five years across barrel and large wooden vat before release (hence the name), making it more immediately approachable than the estate's flagship Unico, which ages far longer before release. Expect dark fruit, cocoa and graphite notes with firm, refined tannin and a creamy texture, reflecting the house's trademark patience and restraint over outright power.
Producer history
Bodegas Vega Sicilia was founded in 1864 by Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, a Spanish winemaker trained in Bordeaux who brought French grape varieties back to Castile's Ribera del Duero region, then outside any formal appellation system. The estate became known for holding wines back for extended aging rather than releasing them young. Since 1982, the year Ribera del Duero was granted Denominacion de Origen status, the winery has been owned by the Alvarez family, members of the international Primum Familiae Vini group of family wine estates.
Signature pairings
- Roast suckling pig (cochinillo) — A classic Ribera del Duero pairing: crisp, fatty pork skin balances the wine's tannin and savory oak notes.
- Grilled lamb chops with rosemary — Lamb's mild gaminess suits Tempranillo's red-fruit character without overwhelming the wine's polish.
- Manchego cheese with quince paste — Firm, nutty Manchego and sweet quince complement the wine's fruit and tannin without clashing acidity.
Vega Sicilia is widely regarded as Spain’s most prestigious wine estate and one of the world's great fine wine producers. Founded in 1864 in Ribera del Duero, the estate has built its legendary reputation through meticulous vineyard management, long aging programs, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Valbuena 5° is the purest expression of Vega Sicilia's philosophy outside its flagship Único. The name refers to the wine's traditional aging regime, with the wine spending approximately five years between barrel and bottle before release. While Único represents the estate's longest-lived and most complex expression, Valbuena is often considered the heart of Vega Sicilia—combining power, elegance, and accessibility in its youth.
The 2019 vintage benefited from excellent growing conditions, producing grapes with remarkable concentration and balance. Sourced from the estate's finest parcels along the Duero River, the wine is crafted primarily from Tempranillo, locally known as Tinto Fino, complemented by a small proportion of Merlot.
Careful aging in French and American oak, followed by extended bottle maturation, creates a wine of extraordinary harmony. The result is a Ribera del Duero masterpiece that balances dark fruit richness, freshness, structure, and refinement with effortless precision.
Details
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Ribera del Duero
- Variety
- Tempranillo
- Vintage
- 2019 **
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
** Vintage may change — please confirm with our team before ordering.
Taste profile
- Body
- Medium-Full
- Acidity
- Medium
- Tannin
- Medium-High
Pairs well with
- Roast chicken
- Pork dishes
- Pasta with meat sauce
- Pizza
- Medium-aged cheese
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