VegaSiciliaAlion,2021

One of the best vintage in recent times

Alión embodies the diversity of Ribera del Duero. This wine represents a mosaic of personalities, with vineyards from the eastern border of the appellation (Soria) to the western end (the Vega Sicilia estate in Valbuena de Duero).

“Very fine Alión, with less oak than usual and a profile of depth and subtlety. On the palate, sapidity, a touch of salinity, and fully integrated and smooth tannins. I love the way the oak is integrated, with much more subtlety than previous Alións. Fluidity, chalky texture, and lots of finesse on the palate. A touch of violet on the back palate and still very primary. One of the best Alións I can remember.”

• Aged in new French oak up to 15 months
• 96/100, Luis Gutierrez | The Wine Advocate
• 18/20 | Jancis Robinson

Cellaring: Drink 2024-2040

Food Pairing: Moroccan lamb tagine, pork belly w/ fennel, braised ox cheeks

STORY BEHIND THIS WINE

Ribera Del Duero’s Vega Sicilia lay claim to being Spain’s greatest wine producer. This estate made its name by producing concentrated wines built for extended ageing.

The 2021 Alión, hitting the market in 2025, stands out as a benchmark vintage for the region. The growing season was remarkably balanced; following early-year snowfall and a temperate spring, a mild summer allowed for a steady, patient ripening period. Sourced from 130 hectares across 13 diverse Ribera del Duero villages, the fruit reached ideal maturity during a dry autumn.

The winemaking involved a 24-hour cooling period for the harvested grapes, followed by a cold soak and fermentation using indigenous yeasts (pied de cuve) in a mix of oak and steel. This patient approach resulted in a wine with 14.5% ABV and a crisp 4.8g/L of tartaric acidity. The final profile is refined and fruit-forward, characterised by sophisticated tannins and a fresh, slightly restrained elegance typical of cooler years.