Valbuena 5° is een rode wijn op basis van Tempranillo, die door Vega Sicilia wordt verbouwd in de Ribera del Duero op kalksteen- en mergelgronden op een hoogte van 720 tot 930 meter. Bij de oogst van 2021 maakte Merlot 4 procent van het totaal uit, naast Tinta del País. De wijnstokken staan op een dichtheid van 2.222 stokken per hectare; deze ruime tussenruimte is zeer geschikt voor de diepe, kalkrijke bodem.
De opbrengsten bleven achter bij de verwachtingen als gevolg van vorst, onweersbuien en schimmelziekten, terwijl een regenachtig voorjaar en een koele zomer de groeicyclus vertraagden. De druiven waren echter zuiver, volledig rijp en onderscheidden zich door hun uitstekende balans, waardoor er geen reden was om de oogst te overhaasten.
De rijping vindt plaats in Franse en Amerikaanse eikenhouten vaten: in het eerste jaar in nieuwe en gebruikte vaten van 225 liter, evenals in tanks van 8.500, 20.000 en 21.000 liter; daarna vindt de rijping uitsluitend plaats in tanks. Het werk staat onder toezicht van Gonzalo Iturriaga de Juan, technisch directeur.
Wanneer de wijn in een glas wordt geschonken, is het aroma diep en verfijnd, met tonen van bramen en cacao, aangevuld met subtiele hints van viooltjes. De tannines spelen de hoofdrol: rijk en krachtig, maar toch fijn van structuur, met een lange, aanhoudende afdronk. Als de wijn nog jong is wanneer hij wordt geopend, wordt aangeraden hem te decanteren om hem te laten ademen. Deze wijn zal tussen 2026 en 2040 op zijn best zijn.
Robert Parker (96)
The 2021 Valbuena comes from a year with pristine grapes, good ripeness and balance. For them, this is one of their finest years, when they didn't have to rush and everything happened in a smooth way. The year was marked by the snowstorm Filomena in January, which provided good water reserves, and the rest of the winter had temperatures reaching minus 15 degrees Celsius! This is a blend of 96% Tinto Fino (a local clone of Tempranillo) and 4% Merlot aged in barrels and 8,500- and 21,000-liter oak vats during the first year and later on only in oak vats. This is the youngest expression of the "Vega" nose—subtler and elegant, more insinuating, less developed and keeping some primary notes; it's not as tertiary as the Únicos. It comes in at 14% alcohol, with a pH of 3.85 and 4.65 grams of acidity, and it has a medium- to full-bodied palate, with elegant tannins and very good balance. This is one of the finest recent vintages for Valbuena, and in a way, it reminded me of the 2010, with elegance and precision.
James Suckling (98)
One of the finest Valbuenas available, showcasing great depth, structure and detail while remaining polished. It exhibits notes of blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, and high-quality sandalwood, with hints of lard and violets. The standout feature this year is the quantity and quality of the tannins—huge, yet incredibly refined and polished. There are plenty of fine grits that aren’t fully integrated but should harmonize in two to three years. Exceptionally long finish. Will hold effortlessly for the next 20 years.
Jancis Robinson (18.5)
A blend of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Merlot, sourced from vineyards located between 720 and 930 m above sea level, rooted in limestone marl soils. The 2021 vintage was shorter in production but marked by excellent quality. Winter brought significant snowfall, spring was very wet, and the summer remained cool, slowing down the vegetative cycle and contributing to the wine’s finesse. Ageing follows the traditional five-year process: 12 months in barrel, 12 months in large wooden vats, 6 months in stainless steel, and the remaining time in bottle before release. Total production is 178,876 bottles, 5,566 magnums, 400 double magnums, 35 imperials and 5 salmanazars.
This Valbuena is, for me, a particularly special edition. The texture is silky, almost haute couture, with delicately pitched black fruit, graphite ink notes and impeccably integrated oak. Cedar, black cherry and a faint mineral line shape the aromas, while the palate shows seductive perfume, refined structure and a tannin profile that is both silky and full of promise. Tertiary elements are barely emerging – just a whisper of elegant leather – suggesting a long and graceful evolution ahead. An impressive Valbuena, and one of my favourites in the entire 2026 Vega Sicilia release. Ferran Centelles
Vinous (95)
The 2021 Valbuena Nº5 is Tinta del País with 4% Merlot. Fine oak frames aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, delicate wood tones and a touch of chocolate. The palate is juicy, with moderate structure and lightly grippy tannins; it gains dimension through the mid-palate, where precision, depth and refinement gradually unfold. More than power, this vintage leans into elegance. A beautifully judged Valbuena.
Peñin (97)
Style ,representative. Colour ,bright cherry, garnet rim. Aroma ,complex, balanced, expressive, ripe fruit, blueberry, quality wood, mineral. Flavour ,juicy, taut, round tannins, elegant, complex.
