Vega Sicilia Alion Ribera del Duero

James Suckling, 95+ pts (2018)

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.

Vega Sicilia is a world-renowned winery located in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. The winery was founded in 1864 and is considered one of the most iconic and prestigious wineries in Spain. Vega Sicilia is known for their high-quality, age-worthy red wines, which are made from a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes. The winery also produces a white wine made from the Albillo grape. Vega Sicilia's wines are known for their complexity, depth, and elegance, with notes of black fruit, spice, and leather. The winery is committed to traditional winemaking techniques, including extended aging in oak barrels and bottle before release. Vega Sicilia has received numerous accolades and awards for their wines, including being named "Winery of the Year" by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Overall, Vega Sicilia is considered one of the top wineries in the world and is highly regarded for their exceptional wines and unwavering commitment to quality.