Vega Sicilia Unico 1996

Dark cherry liqueur, candied plum, cured tobacco and dried rose lead the nose, with cedar and licorice woven underneath. Given air, pungent herbal notes emerge and carry straight through to the finish, adding intrigue to fruit of considerable depth. Fruit and tannins are fully integrated here, no competition, no rough edges, and a slow-building mocha quality surfaces on the long, sappy close. Grace and complexity in equal measure.