Vega Sicilia - Ribera Del Duero "Alion" 2021

ID:
• Origin: Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
• Appellation: DO Ribera del Duero
• Grape Variety: 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)
• Alcohol Percentage: approx. 14.5%
• Style: Powerful, modern, intense fruit, refined structure
• Cellaring Potential: Now until 2040+
• Rating: 96/100 Wine Advocate – 94/100 Vinous

Alión 2021 is an expressive and modern Ribera del Duero that combines power and precision with striking elegance. The nose offers aromas of black cherry, blackberry, and plum, complemented by cocoa, cedar, graphite, and fine spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe dark fruit, energetic acidity, and firm but polished tannins. The finish is long and layered, with a beautiful tension between fruit concentration, spiciness, and mineral freshness.

Vinification.
The grapes are hand-picked and strictly selected. After temperature-controlled fermentation, a maceration is carried out, aiming for deep extraction without harshness. The wine then ages for about 14 to 16 months in oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new wood to provide structure and complexity. This is followed by bottle aging before release, allowing the wood and tannins to integrate beautifully, so the wine already exhibits a balanced, polished style upon release.

The Estate.
Alión was founded by Vega Sicilia as a contemporary interpretation of Ribera del Duero: powerful and intense, yet with the precision and quality standards of the parent house. The vineyards are carefully and sustainably managed, with much manual labor, low yields, and minimal intervention where possible. The cellar philosophy focuses on selection, balance, and refined oak aging, making Alión one of the region's most consistent and sought-after modern classics.