Vega Sicilia Valbuena 2002

Smoky dark cherry and plum on the nose, with cigar box, dried tobacco and a thread of anise winding through. Supple and mid-weight on the palate, showing polished red and dark berry fruit anchored by graphite and cured tobacco. There's enough concentration to reward a few more years in bottle, though it's giving plenty right now. A genuinely fine achievement given the demands of the vintage.