1972 Vega Sicilia Unico

60% Tinto Fino, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, Malbec and Albillo. 66,500 bottles and 1,500 magnums. From magnum. Pale rusty ruby. Sweet milky-coffee aromas. (No élevage details given, NB.) Acid is definitely starting to dominate. There is certainly pleasure for antiquarians here but perhaps not for clear-eyed modernists. Definitely drying out. (JR)

Also in the shadow of 1970. Deeper ruby than the 1973. Definitely evolved at the rim. Minty and deep – very complex. Real freshness of fruit. Lovely complete and lively wine. Long and racy and with great tension still. I wonder if this wine was a bit too austere in youth? It’s lovely now! Great cleanliness on the finish. Persistent. A lovely bottle with a little more fruit than the 1973. (JR)

The 1972 Unico has a roof tile-scented bouquet that opens nicely, somewhat reluctantly giving up rose petals, dried orange peel, kirsch and toffee. It has fine definition and shows a little precocity than the 1973. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, decayed tannins. There is plenty of leathery red fruit infused with white pepper, cured meat and citrus peel. The finish is almost like a more muted version of the 1982. The -72 has good pedigree and breeding, yet it is a little conservative and aloof. 66,500 bottles produced. Drink now-2025. Aug 2012, www.robertparker.com