The score for 2000 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 Ribera del Duero DO is 91 from Robert Parker and the tasting note - The 2 Valbuena gives up aromas of fresh herbs, spice box, lavender, and black cherry. Just a bit lean on the palate, it has some elegance, savory flavors, and adequate balance. Drink it over the next 1 years. Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the world’s great red wines. The Valbuena bottling receives 3 years in barrel and 2 years in bottle prior to release. On the occasion of my visit in May 21, the three Reserva Especials already in bottle and awaiting release were tasted side by side. They are identified (for the purposes of this review only) as the 213 Release, the 212 Release, and the 211 Release. I was not told what vintages are in each bottling but it actually makes little difference. The Reserva Especials are blended to a house style designed to reflect Vega Sicilia at its very best. The vagaries of vintage (as reflected in Unico) are blended away leaving a wine that is, in my opinion, better than any of the single vintage wines with the possible exception of the 1942. The score for 2001 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 Ribera del Duero DO is 93+ from Robert Parker and the tasting note - The Valbuena offering is a brilliant introduction to the winery. The 21 is especially good because all of the wine normally reserved for Unico went into this bottling. It has a similar personality to the 22 but with more of everything as if it has been on an extended workout regimen. Youthful in appearance and with classic aromatics, it has the extract and the structure to blossom for 6-8 years and drink well for another 2.