Vega Sicilia Alion 2011

Bodegas Alión 2011 is a full-bodied Tempranillo red wine from the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. Neighbouring Vega Sicilia and indeed produced by the winemaking team behind this iconic wine, Alión is distinct in being a thoroughly modern expression of Ribera. Winemaking is executed entirely with modern methods and state-of-the-art equipment. A proportion of the fruit for Alión is sourced from the historic vineyards of Vega Sicilia. "The 2011 Alion is pure Tempranillo from vineyards averaging 25 to 30 years of age, harvested early (second half of September) matured for 16 months in new Nevers barrels (that`s a difference with Vega Sicilia; for Alion all wood is French). It is an exuberant, ripe Alion, with hedonist`s aromas that jump out of the glass. Winemaker Javier Ausas tells me he likes the wines when they are young and showy like this one. It is indeed a showy vintage, with aromas of violets, molasses, cereals and a whiff of malt whisky. We tasted the wine a little warm, but that does not benefit the wine, which should be served at 15-16C and allowed to warm up and open up in the glass. It`s also quite smoky, with reminiscences of very good barrels, black aromas, violets, black olives and fresh plums. The palate is tannic with lactic and warm flavours. This is a very exuberant, showy vintage for Alion, and here I tend to agree with Ausas. even though this has plenty of stuffing to age I`d drink it young in its exuberant phase." Wine Advocate, 2014