Vega Sicilia Valbuena

Bodegas Vega Sicilia. Founded in 1864, and considered among the world’s finest producers of red wine – think the biggest names of Burgundy, but translated with a very Spanish flavour. Valbueno is technically the ‘second wine’ of Vega Sicilia (under the illustrious, and incredibly famous, Único), but to deem it inferior would be a grave misunderstanding. The difference lies in Valbueno’s comparative youth.

While its big sibling is aged a decade (or more) before release, Valbuena is allowed five years of ageing. It’s also made from younger vines, in the region of 15-years-old. The winemakers at Vega Sicilia insist that it is thus more capable of demonstrating the subtle nuances of vintage than the label’s flagship.

Valbueno is predominantly Tempranillo, with up to 6% Merlot when the occasion calls for it. Velvet textured, with great refinement and complexity, Spanish wine lovers need look no further.