ALION Tempos Vega Sicilia - Ribera del Duero 2017 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
The 2017 Alión is a stunning expression from Ribera del Duero, showcasing the depth and craftsmanship characteristic of this esteemed winery. Crafted from 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), it has garnered impressive accolades, including 95 points from James Suckling, who praised its chocolate, berry, and coffee aromas, complemented by round tannins and complex oak influences. The Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points, noting its classical style with juicy, round fruit reflecting the challenging vintage conditions, balanced by reduced new oak. Vinous also rated it 94 points, highlighting its dense, spice-laced flavors and impressive depth. Jancis Robinson gave it 17 points, remarking on its firm structure and rich earthy notes. This full-bodied wine, at 15% ABV, is perfect for aging or enjoying now with hearty dishes like roast meat and slow-cooked beef.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
The 2017 Vega Sicilia Alión is a stunning expression from Ribera del Duero, exemplifying the depth and craftsmanship associated with this esteemed winery. Made from 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), this wine has received impressive accolades, including 95 points from James Suckling, who praised its enticing aromas of chocolate, berry, and coffee, along with round tannins and complex oak influences.

The Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points, highlighting the wine's classical style with juicy, round fruit that reflects the challenging vintage conditions, balanced by reduced new oak. Vinous also rated it 94 points, noting its dense, spice-laced flavors and remarkable depth. Jancis Robinson gave it 17 points, remarking on its firm structure and rich earthy notes.

This full-bodied wine, with an alcohol content of 15% ABV, is perfect for aging or enjoying now with hearty dishes such as roasted meats and slow-cooked beef.

Alión is crafted from carefully selected terroirs in the best areas of the Ribera del Duero DO region. The soil characteristics, combined with the same meticulous winemaking process used at Vega Sicilia, contribute to the wine’s firm structure.

Overall, the 2017 Alión is a fantastic example of the quality that can be achieved in challenging vintages, making it a must-try for lovers of fine red wine.

100% TEMPRANILLO (TINTO FINO)
Alión comes from carefully selected terroirs located in the very best areas of the Ribera del Duero DO region. The soils complement each other, and allied with the same winemaking process used in Vega Sicilia, they have produced wines with a firm structure.

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
Lots of chocolate and berry with some coffee-bean and vanilla undertones. It’s full and layered with plenty of fruit, round tannins and pleasing complexity of smoked and toasted wood. Tar undertone. Very drinkable now, but better after 2022.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date: 2021 - 2026
The 2017 Alión, the only wine produced here, comes from a challenging year marked by spring frost and a warm and dry end of the season, so they reduced the amount of new oak by 8%. It fermented with indigenous yeasts, and 10% of the volume aged in concrete, completely unoaked. The change in the oak regimen helped with the style of the vintage, which was marked by the frost that hit part of the Alión vineyards. Furthermore, the end of the season was warm and dry, and they had to work to control ripeness and power and perhaps the possibility of more aggressive tannins. It's a classical Alión, with some developed aromas, juicy and round but not heavy, with just a tad of earthy rusticity. With time, it develops more balsamic notes and hints of licorice. 230,032 bottles, 7,04 magnums, 614 double magnums and a handful of bigger sizes were produced. It was bottled in June 2019.

VINOUS 94 points
Opaque ruby. Primary dark fruit, floral and vanilla aromas are sharpened by a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper and woodsmoke, and licorice notes build in the glass. Juicy and smooth on the palate, offering densely packed, spice-laced bitter cherry, blackberry and fruitcake flavors that firm up slowly with aeration. Shows superb depth as well as energy on the impressively long finish, which is firmed by youthfully gripping tannins. - Josh Raynolds

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
It is a firm, hard Alión, with lots of black fruit and hints of ash. A very rooty vintage, rich in humus and organic notes; to decant and to leave open for a while, with a closed nose but which will grow. With all these deep and earthy notes, it surprises with its more polished and fresh palate, with a lot of intensity of flavour, very polished tannins and just memories of forest floor. An Alión with tension, which will undoubtedly evolve very well. (FC)

100% TEMPRANILLO (TINTO FINO)
Alión comes from carefully selected terroirs located in the very best areas of the Ribera del Duero DO region. The soils complement each other, and allied with the same winemaking process used in Vega Sicilia, they have produced wines with a firm structure.

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
Lots of chocolate and berry with some coffee-bean and vanilla undertones. It’s full and layered with plenty of fruit, round tannins and pleasing complexity of smoked and toasted wood. Tar undertone. Very drinkable now, but better after 2022.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date: 2021 - 2026
The 2017 Alión, the only wine produced here, comes from a challenging year marked by spring frost and a warm and dry end of the season, so they reduced the amount of new oak by 8%. It fermented with indigenous yeasts, and 10% of the volume aged in concrete, completely unoaked. The change in the oak regimen helped with the style of the vintage, which was marked by the frost that hit part of the Alión vineyards. Furthermore, the end of the season was warm and dry, and they had to work to control ripeness and power and perhaps the possibility of more aggressive tannins. It's a classical Alión, with some developed aromas, juicy and round but not heavy, with just a tad of earthy rusticity. With time, it develops more balsamic notes and hints of licorice. 230,032 bottles, 7,04 magnums, 614 double magnums and a handful of bigger sizes were produced. It was bottled in June 2019.

VINOUS 94 points
Opaque ruby. Primary dark fruit, floral and vanilla aromas are sharpened by a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper and woodsmoke, and licorice notes build in the glass. Juicy and smooth on the palate, offering densely packed, spice-laced bitter cherry, blackberry and fruitcake flavors that firm up slowly with aeration. Shows superb depth as well as energy on the impressively long finish, which is firmed by youthfully gripping tannins. - Josh Raynolds

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
It is a firm, hard Alión, with lots of black fruit and hints of ash. A very rooty vintage, rich in humus and organic notes; to decant and to leave open for a while, with a closed nose but which will grow. With all these deep and earthy notes, it surprises with its more polished and fresh palate, with a lot of intensity of flavour, very polished tannins and just memories of forest floor. An Alión with tension, which will undoubtedly evolve very well. (FC)

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ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Vega Sicilia is one of the most prestigious and iconic wineries in Spain, renowned for producing exceptional wines that are synonymous with quality and excellence. Founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, the estate is situated in the Ribera del Duero region, where it has built a reputation for crafting world-class red wines, particularly its flagship cuvée, Único.

The vineyard spans over 200 hectares of prime land with diverse soil types, including gravel and clay, which contribute to the complexity and character of the wines. Vega Sicilia primarily focuses on Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto Fino, along with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate's commitment to meticulous vineyard management ensures that the grapes achieve optimal ripeness and flavour, resulting in wines that are rich, elegant, and age-worthy.

Vega Sicilia’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes tradition and quality, employing a combination of modern techniques and time-honoured practices. The wines undergo careful fermentation in stainless steel and oak tanks, followed by aging in fine oak barrels for extended periods. This process allows for the development of intricate flavours and aromas, with Único particularly noted for its deep complexity, rich fruit character, and remarkable aging potential.

Sustainability is also a key focus at Vega Sicilia, with practices aimed at preserving the environment and the unique terroir of the region. The winery actively engages in eco-friendly initiatives to maintain the health of the vineyards and their surrounding ecosystem.

Over the years, Vega Sicilia has received international acclaim and numerous accolades, cementing its place among the elite producers of fine wine. Each bottle tells a story of the estate's rich heritage, craftsmanship, and dedication to quality, inviting wine enthusiasts to experience the grandeur of Ribera del Duero. Whether savoured on its own or paired with gourmet cuisine, wines from Vega Sicilia offer a luxurious journey through Spain's viticultural heart, celebrating the artistry and passion that define this remarkable estate.