Collection: Sotheby’s Wine X Tempos Vega Sicilia | Allocation Release

Collectors rarely agree on everything.

Bordeaux devotees debate Burgundy lovers. Some pursue the ethereal perfume of Barolo, others the opulence of Amarone or the power of Napa Valley. Yet mention Vega Sicilia around almost any table of serious collectors, and the conversation changes. There is an uncommon reverence for this historic estate that transcends regional preference.

After spending an evening with Gonzalo Iturriaga, esteemed Winemaker and Technical Director of the Vega Sicilia family of estates, the reasons behind that reverence came to an unmistakable focus. With over a century spent defining the pinnacle of Spanish fine wine, Vega Sicilia's greatest luxury isn't simply its exceptional terroir or remarkable longevity. It is the willingness to think in decades rather than vintages – a philosophy of visionary patience that permeates every aspect of the estate.

Spread across five wineries, from the rugged and sun-drenched vineyards of Ribera del Duero to the volcanic hillsides of Tokaj, to describe Vega Sicilia simply as the ‘First Growth’ of the Iberian Peninsula is to overlook the extraordinary scope of what the Álvarez family has become since acquiring the estate in 1982.

At the heart of the family's wines is a mastery of Tempranillo, one refined through decades of clonal and massal selection adapted to the distinct character of each estate. Patience remains a defining virtue of Vega Sicilia, yet with an eye firmly on the future, its philosophy is anything but fixed. Gonzalo spoke proudly of 2018's move toward a more refined interpretation of Pintia – a thoughtful shift favoring elegance over sheer power. If the charismatic Pintia illustrates the estate's willingness to evolve, the remarkably expressive 2018 Valbuena reaffirms its enduring pedigree. Unquestionably singing in its current window, its seamless texture offers a compelling reminder of why so many collectors quietly consider Valbuena one of fine wine's greatest values.

With a final nod to tradition, the evening culminated with the Único Reserva Especial 2023 Release. Once born from the practical necessity of blending vintages, the rare Reserva Especial unites the finest elements of multiple harvests (2009, 2011, 2012 in this instance) to reveal the enduring essence of Vega Sicilia – perhaps its most complete expression.

Whether you have collected Vega Sicilia for decades or are encountering these wines for the first time, the family's relentless pursuit of craftsmanship and unwavering commitment to evolution ensure there is always something new to discover. Great wines reward patience; the greatest estates reward a lifetime of attention.

Sotheby’s Wine is delighted to present a curated allocation offering direct from the estate, featuring current releases alongside select mature vintages and limited-format bottlings, all available for immediate release.

Continue below for tasting highlights from the evening and our complete allocation.

Additional tasting notes from the June 23rd dinner

2020 Petrács
2020 Petrács showcases the precision and purity of Tokaj's volcanic terroir. This single-vineyard Furmint is defined by its brightness and taut mineral tension, revealing notes of quince, citrus blossom, green orchard fruit, and crushed stone. The palate is clean and focused, with vibrant acidity and a lightly textured, saline finish. Restrained rather than opulent, it possesses enough concentration to reward thoughtful drinking while remaining exceptionally versatile at the table.

2018 Pintia
The 2018 Pintia reflects Vega Sicilia's move toward a more refined expression of Toro, favoring finesse over rugged power. The nose is immediately expressive, with fragrant notes of sun-warmed blackberry, ripe damson plum, violet, and a hint of sweet licorice. Richly fruited yet wonderfully balanced, the palate is energized by an unexpected freshness and aromatic lift that continually draws you back to the glass. Leaving an overall impression of charm and elegance rather than force, the 2018 vintage marks a notable evolution in Pintia's style.

2018 Alión
Rich and polished, the 2018 Alión opens with aromas of ripe cherry, violet, cedar, and subtle espresso. The palate is generous without excess, with ripe red and dark fruits framed by silky tannin and warm spice. This is a modern take on Ribera that is already alluring today and will benefit further as the oak continues to integrate

2018 Valbuena 5°
The 2018 Valbuena 5° proved to be one of the evening's standout wines. Expressive aromas of red and black cherry, tobacco, graphite, dried herbs, and earth lead into a palate of seamless texture, one that almost caresses with rich, velvety fruit and effortless balance. Unquestionably singing in its current window, it is a compelling reminder of why so many collectors quietly consider Valbuena one of fine wine's great values.

2014 Único
The 2014 Único is remarkably understated at first, gradually unfurling in the glass to reveal layers of dark cherry, dried rose, cedar, cigar box, and subtle spice. Fine-boned and elegant, the palate is subtle yet deeply layered, combining quiet concentration with a texture that is both silky and remarkably weightless. Tightly wound tannins provide structure without heaviness, carrying the wine toward a long, poised finish.

Único Reserva Especial 2023 Release (2009, 2011 & 2012)
The most complete wine of the evening, the Único Reserva Especial 2023 Release displayed extraordinary aromatic breadth, revealing layers of blackcurrant, sandalwood, dried flowers, tobacco, bitter cocoa and fragrant spice as it evolved in the glass. The palate combined remarkable concentration with exquisite grace and exceptional length. A compelling expression of Vega Sicilia's philosophy, the wine transcends any single vintage, offering instead a complete portrait of the estate itself.