ALION Tempos Vega Sicilia - Ribera del Duero 2018 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Alión 2018, a distinguished 100% Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero DO region, showcases exceptional craftsmanship and fruit expression. Scoring 96 points from James Suckling, this wine is celebrated for its fresh, floral aromas of violets and berries, alongside blackberries and orange peel. Its medium to full body is supported by firm, linear tannins, offering excellent length and structure that promises further evolution. The Wine Advocate awarded it 95+ points, praising its freshness and elegance, developed from a cooler vintage with a late harvest. Aged in 80% new barrels and with some maturation in concrete, Alión displays a subtle balance of oak and ripe fruit character. With a drinking window from 2023 to 2032, this vintage truly shines, offering a refined, harmonious experience.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
The 2018 Alión is a distinguished 100% Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero DO region, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and a vibrant fruit expression. Scoring an impressive 96 points from James Suckling, this wine is celebrated for its fresh, floral aromas of violets and berries, with additional notes of blackberries and orange peel. Its medium to full body is supported by firm, linear tannins, offering excellent length and structure that promises further evolution.

The Wine Advocate awarded it 95+ points, praising its freshness and elegance, which are developed from a cooler vintage with a late harvest. The 2018 vintage followed the path of the 2016, characterised by more rain than average and a harvest conducted between September 28th and October 12th. Aged predominantly in 80% new barrels, with some maturation in concrete, Alión strikes a subtle balance between oak influence and ripe fruit character. This meticulous approach enhances the wine’s texture and freshness.

With a drinking window from 2023 to 2032, the 2018 Alión truly shines, offering a refined, harmonious experience that embodies the essence of the region. This wine comes from carefully selected terroirs in the best areas of Ribera del Duero, where the soils complement each other, resulting in a firm structure and elegance reminiscent of the renowned winemaking process used at Vega Sicilia.

Overall, the 2018 Alión is a testament to the potential of the Tempranillo grape, delivering both power and finesse, making it a must-have for wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.

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 96 points
Fresh and very floral with violets and berries. Blackberries and orange peel, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, linear tannins. Excellent length and structure. Seriously structured, Better after 2024, but already beautiful.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95+ points
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date: 2023 - 2032
The 2018 Alión follows the path of the 2016: it is fresh and elegant and from a cooler (more Atlantic) vintage with more rain than the average and a relatively late harvest between September 28th and October 12th. They used 80% new barrels, with up to 10% made of American oak looking to (in their own words) give more sucrosity and sweetness to the wine, as it's a more vertical, tense and elegant expression of Alión. Part of the wine matured in concrete (something they started in 2016), and in 2021 they are experimenting with a 4,000-liter Rousseau foudre, as they want to keep working the texture and freshness. The wine is ripe at 15% alcohol and has a pH of 3.8 and a mellow 4.6 grams of acidity, round and soft. The wine matured until it was bottled in June 2020. The truth is that the wine comes through as subtle, elegant and balanced, with very integrated oak and a nice texture. It's one of the finest vintages for Alión. 257,257 bottles, 7,005 magnums and some larger formats produced.

-----

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.