Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5º 2012

Of the 1,000 hectares making up the Vega Sicilia estate, 210 are used for wine growing, and there are 19 soil types divided for management purposes into 57 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the Duero river’s flow and the passage of time have been vital in forming these soils. 140 of these hectares are employed to produce Valbuena 5º. A unique, magical estate, which alongside extraordinary vineyard management, enables the production of legendary wines. Valbuena is the pure expression of red wine at Vega Sicilia, with an ageing process, from the barrel to the bottle, which lasts five years and gives the wine its name: Valbuena 5º (5th). Both new and used 225-litre barrels of French and American new and used wooden barrels, and 20,000-litre vats. A long and complex process for
a great wine. Valbuena always stands its ground, whole, elegant and serious.
A conquering wine. An opulent year, concentrated, impetuous and, without a doubt, a long journey.

After a somewhat dry winter, spring begins with moderate temperatures and abundant rainfall with a recorded 70.7 liters in the month of April (during the first phases of vine budding) continuing until early May. Temperatures began to rise the rest of the month with a recorded 42 ºC / 108 ºF on the 26th and 27th of June. Notable absence of spring frost which allowed an adequate vine development. Summer is very dry with no records of rain in July and only 0.5 liters in August, with high temperatures throughout the summer; late September rain helped a good end maturity process. An outstanding plant health, high color intensity and extremely mature tannins with good ageing potential. Excellent vintage and bottled in 2014