Vega Sicilia Reserva Especial 2016 Release (96,98 & 02) Mixed Vintage

The NV 2016 Único Release Reserva Especial is a blend of different harvests looking for a consistent style. In the case of the wine that will be sold in 2016, it's a blend of 1996, 1998 and 2002. The nose is complex, reminiscent of the regular Único, with some herbal undertones, plenty of spices and something earthy, starting to develop some more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with lively acidity (I think it blends three vintages that were above the average in acidity), but does not show the depth and elegance of the 2015 release. Even though they look for a consistent style through the different releases, there is no doubt that the vintages that compose the blend have some effect and the different bottlings show quite differently. I've been wanting to do a vertical (?) of Reserva Especial, as it's a wine that is not very well known and I think deserves more attention. Some 18,000 bottles of the blend to be released in 2016 were produced.