2008 VALBUENA, Vega Sicilia. Ribera Del Duero, Spain (Double Magnum)

Bin: 897

Alcohol Percentage: 14%

Area: The Vega Sicilia estate is in the "Valbuena de Duero", south of the river. A hot, continental climate is tempered by the Atlantic ocean and the Duero River, whose mists create humidity. Of the 1,000 hectares, 240 are under vine on a clay-limestone soil

Grape Variety: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot; aged in oak for over 3 years, 60% French oak, 40% American

Producer: Vega Sicilia was founded in 1864 and has long been Spain's most prestigious estate. Valbuena is the so-called 'Second Wine' - it is made in years which are not considered powerful enough to make Unico, the flagship wine (which is given around 6 years in oak)

Old Bridge Rating: Unfair to consider this as a 'second wine'; I generally prefer it to the even more monumental (and expensive) 'Unico'