Iron Gate Auctions
Timed Auction

Iron Gate Fine Wine Auction

Tue, Sep 16, 2025 10:00AM EDT - Tue, Sep 23, 2025 08:00PM EDT
  • 1996
  • Red
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo
  • Ribera del Duero
  • Ribera del Duero
  • Castilla y Leon
  • Spain
  • 750ml
Lot 40

1996 Vega Sicilia Unico Ribera del Duero - 3 bottle(s)-750ml

Estimate: CAD$1,800 - CAD$2,700

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
CAD$0 CAD$20
CAD$500 CAD$50
CAD$1,000 CAD$100
CAD$2,000 CAD$200
CAD$3,000 CAD$250
CAD$5,000 CAD$500
CAD$10,000 CAD$1,000
CAD$20,000 CAD$2,000
CAD$50,000 CAD$5,000
CAD$100,000 CAD$10,000
This lot is comprised of 3 bottle(s) of 1996 Vega Sicilia Unico Ribera del Duero - 750ml. Estimate for this lot is between $1800 - $2700 with a reserve of $1400. The wine in this lot belongs to collection 11535.

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All lots are located in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Confirmation of pickup or delivery of Iron Gate Commercial Auction winnings must be made within 30 days of auction close. Thereafter, your winnings will be subject to a $250 handling, administration and storage fee, including a subsequent $5.50/case/month and $1.50 per bottle fee for inventory services. If no contact has been made within two years, auction winnings will be considered abandoned.

Please note that auction winnings from earlier auctions cannot be combined with current or future winnings for shipping purposes. Each auction's items will be processed and shipped separately.

It is the responsibility of the buyer to make all arrangements for insuring, packing and removing the property purchased and any assistance by the Auctioneer, or the employees of, agents or contractors in packing and removal shall be rendered as a courtesy and without any liability to them. The Auctioneer shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or damage caused by packers and shippers, notwithstanding the fact that the Auctioneer may have recommended such shippers or packers to the purchaser.

These bottles are from the cellar of a long time licensee (restaurant) in Eastern Canada. They were acquired on release from the agent and immediately stored in the restaurant's environmentally controlled cellar until coming to Iron Gate.
The score for 1996 Vega Sicilia Unico Ribera del Duero is 98 from Robert Parker and the tasting note - 1996 was a great vintage in Ribera del Duero, following 1994 and 1995, which were not shabby either. The 1996 Único from magnum shows a classical year, still with 13.5% alcohol, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that gives it the characteristic balsamic undertone. The wine has great freshness and balance, and it has a lively and agile palate. Thinking back to younger vintages, it feels like there was a change after 1996. It drinks very well today and works wonders with food, but it also has a good future ahead of it, especially in magnum. This was one of my favorite modern vintages, along with 2014 and 2004. 2,235 magnums produced. Artwork by Benjamín Palencia. Additional scores for the wine in this lot - The Wine Advocate 96 points , CellarTracker 94 points .