Unico 1976

The summer was not as dry in Ribera del Duero as it was in Bordeaux. The 1976 Unico has a rather conservative bouquet of dried herbs, forest floor, Chinese tea, and black pepper, although the fruit seems a little diminished with age. The palate is medium-bodied and appears a little fatigued. It has a soft core of spice, tarry fruit and dry, slightly dusty tannins. This is quite masculine and linear, furry in the mouth with touches of soy developing towards attenuated finish that shows a little dryness. This comes across as a little workmanlike by Unico's standards. 37,000 bottles produced. Drink now-2020.

Score: 88

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2020 01 August 2012