ALION Tempos Vega Sicilia - Ribera del Duero 2019 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
The 2019 Alión is a powerful and concentrated expression of Tempranillo, earning high praise with 94 points from The Wine Advocate and 95 points from James Suckling. Sourced from carefully selected terroirs in the Ribera del Duero region, the wine showcases dark, juicy fruit flavours of ripe plums and black cherries, complemented by floral nuances and hints of tar, coffee, and graphite. James Suckling highlights its refined profile, describing it as full-bodied yet velvety, with an iron fist of tannins and a long, focused finish. Jancis Robinson awarded it 18 points, noting sweet oak and ornate spice characteristics. With a drinking window from 2022 to 2029, this exceptional vintage promises to deliver depth and sensuality, ideal for enjoying now or cellaring for future enjoyment.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
The 2019 Alión is a powerful and concentrated vintage that beautifully combines richness with a sensual, unctuous side. Made entirely from 100% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), this wine showcases the exceptional terroirs of the Ribera del Duero DO region, where carefully selected soils work harmoniously with the renowned winemaking methods used at Vega Sicilia.

2019 was marked by drier conditions than normal, resulting in thicker, concentrated grape skins and a robust structure. The winemaking process included a strategic approach to extraction and fermentation, with a reduced maceration time of around 11 days to preserve the wine’s purity. A portion of the wine underwent aging in concrete, which helped enhance its verticality and freshness while minimizing the impact of oak.

The Wine Advocate rated the 2019 Alión 94 points, noting the vintage's powerful and concentrated profile, paired with ripe fruit and slightly dusty tannins. The wine, with its 15% alcohol and mellow acidity, reflects the warm and dry conditions of the year, delivering an alluring fruit-driven character.

James Suckling awarded it 95 points, highlighting ripe, tarry plums and black cherries accompanied by notes of violets, rocks, coffee, and graphite. He praised its full-bodied juiciness and the presence of an “iron fist” of tannins, while also remarking on its velvety texture and refined finish that showcases finesse and layers.

Jancis Robinson rated the wine 18 points, noting its sweet oak scent reminiscent of some fine Penfolds wines, along with aromas of black tea, blackberry, and smoky notes. The wine is described as ornate in style, thanks to the elaborate oak spice that enhances the overall experience.

The 2019 Alión is an exceptional vintage that not only offers immediate enjoyment but also promises great potential for aging, making it a remarkable choice for collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.

2019 is a potent, concentrated, juicy vintage, yet with a sensual and unctuous side too.

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.

2019 was a drier vintage than normal, resulting in thick, concentrated skins and a firm structure in the wine. Work essentially started with extraction to develop a vintage for which we reduced total vatting for fermentation to around 11 days. The odd batch was refined before being barrelled reducing the impact of the wood and the toast is important for this type of vintage. Ageing a proportion in concrete helped us to work on the verticality and freshness of the wines.

The Vintage
The previous cycle ended with warmer temperatures than normal and the weather conditions enabled good lignification. Normal spring temperatures with precipitation enabled budbreak to occur as normal during the second fortnight of April, with no frosts recorded. Total precipitation for the entire wine-growing season was below average.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Drink Date 2022 - 2029
The 2019 Alión was cropped from a drier vintage compared with the average, and the wines from that year tend to be powerful, concentrated and with structure. They shortened the maceration by 11 days and used concrete for part of the élevage, trying to reduce the impact from the oak in the wine. They define 2019 as a powerful, concentrated and juicy vintage, sensual and unctuous. The wine is ripe at 15% alcohol and has mellow acidity (4.4 grams) and a pH of 3.88, reflecting the warm and dry year that delivered powerful and concentrated wines, similar to the wines from 2015. It's quite fruit-driven, ripe and juicy, with abundant, slightly dusty tannins despite the limited pumping over they did to avoid extracting too much, and the maceration was also shortened. 256,526 bottles, 7,005 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in June 2021. - Luis Gutiérrez, 31st Jan 2023

JAMES SUCKLING 95 Points
20 Jun, 2022 – Ripe, tarry plums and black cherries with violets, rocks, coffee and graphite. Refined notes of balsamic fruit and cocoa powder, too. Full-bodied and juicy with an iron fist of tannins, yet at the same time so velvety and polished. Very long, focused finish, showing lots of finesse and layers. Drinkable now, but better after 2025.

JANCIS ROBINSON 18 points
Sweet oak scent that bears a striking resemblance to some members of the Penfolds family. Black tea, blackberry, smoky notes, long and expansive on the finish. Ornate in style, thanks to the elaborate oak spice. (RH)

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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.