Purchased in 1991 by the Alvarez family (Vega Sicilia) the Alion estate produces a 100% tempranillo wine which is more fruit-driven and smooth than the big, complex Vega Sicilia wines. In other words, this is a more modern Ribera del Duero.
"The 2005 Alion has a captivating perfume of smoke, pencil lead, violets, truffle, cherry, and blackberry. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, firm, sweetly-fruited, layered, and splendidly balanced. It has several years of aging potential and will offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2025."
Wine Advocate 94pts
"Bodegas Alion is owned by the legendary Vega Sicilia; the 2005 offers great complexity with layers of black fruit and a hint of liquorice. Full-bodied structure with some silky tannins; this wine is still very compact but will soften up with time. A must-have in your cellar."
Decanter
"100 % Tinto Fino, or Tempranillo, and aged in new French oak, this red from the Vega Sicilia stable has a fine perfume of mulberry and plum, and is made in an unashamedly modern style in which spicy vanilla oak is part of a structure of muscular tannins, fresh acidity and powerful fruit. Still too young to broach at this stage of its life, it really needs 5 years to come into its own."
The wine Gang
