Vega Sicilia - Ribera del Duero Valbuena 5° 2021
98/100
James Suckling
96/100
Robert Parker
18,5/20
Jancis Robinson
“A triumph for Valbuena, which is also hailed as one of the finest vintages ever produced: a top-notch 2021!”
"One of the finest Valbuenas available, displaying great depth, beautiful structure, and rich complexity while remaining refined. It reveals notes of blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, and high-quality sandalwood, with hints of lard and violet. The standout feature this year is the quantity and quality of the tannins, which are powerful yet incredibly refined and polished. There are many fine-grained tannins that are not yet fully integrated, but which should harmonize within two to three years. Exceptionally long finish. Will age beautifully for the next 20 years.” (James Suckling 2026)
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Eye
A medium-intensity purple color, clear and bright
Nose
Seductive and floral, with aromas of vanilla, cocoa, and fresh violets, enhanced by hints of cedar and sour cherries, with subtle notes of pine
Palate
Harmonious and velvety, with supple tannins and a slightly chalky texture; it has a lovely structure complemented by a smooth, savory character, with a long and complex finish
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
2 hours before
Drink from
2026
Drink before
2050
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy it with a wood-fired grilled rib of beef, a fricassee of fresh porcini mushrooms, or a baked truffled Camembert...
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Wine rated (2026 guide) 96/100 (Extraordinary wine)
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the wine:
The 2021 Valbuena comes from a vintage in which the grapes were of impeccable quality, fully ripe, and well-balanced. For them, it was one of their best years, where they didn’t have to rush and everything went smoothly. The year was marked by the Filomena snowstorm in January, which helped build up good water reserves, and the rest of the winter saw temperatures dropping to -15 degrees Celsius! This is a blend of 96% Tinto Fino (aka Tempranillo) and 4% Merlot, aged in 8,500- and 21,000-liter oak barrels and vats during the first year, then exclusively in oak vats. It is the youngest expression of the "Vega" nose—more subtle and elegant, more insinuating, less developed, and retaining certain primary notes, with fewer tertiary notes than the Únicos. It has an alcohol content of 14%, a pH of 3.85, and 4.65 grams of acidity, and offers a medium-bodied to full-bodied palate with elegant tannins and excellent balance. It is one of Valbuena’s best recent vintages, reminding me somewhat of the 2010 with its elegance and precision. A total of 176,876 bottles, 5,566 magnums, and a few larger formats were produced. It was bottled in May 2024. 2027–2039
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated (2025 guide) 18,5/20
About the wine:
For me, this Valbuena is a particularly special vintage. The texture is silky, almost haute couture, with delicate notes of black fruit, graphite, and impeccably integrated oak. Cedar, black cherry, and a slight mineral touch shape the aromas, while the palate reveals a seductive bouquet, a refined structure, and a tannic profile that is both silky and promising. The tertiary elements are barely apparent—just a hint of elegant leather—foreshadowing a long and graceful evolution. An impressive Valbuena, and one of my favorites from the entire 2026 Vega Sicilia vintage. 2026–2050
James Suckling
Wine rated (2025 guide) 98/100
About the wine:
One of the finest Valbuenas available, offering great depth, beautiful structure, and rich complexity while remaining refined. It reveals notes of blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, and high-quality sandalwood, with hints of lard and violet. The standout feature this year is the quantity and quality of the tannins, which are powerful yet incredibly refined and polished. There are many fine-grained tannins that are not yet fully integrated, but which should harmonize within two to three years. Exceptionally long finish. Will age beautifully for the next 20 years. 176,000 bottles produced.