Bodegas Vega Sicilia - Alion Ribera del Duero 2021 (750ml)
Price: $161.99
| Producer | Bodegas Vega Sicilia |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Castilla y León |
| Varietal | Tinto Fino |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 206389 |
| Size | 750ml |
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The 2021 Vega Sicilia Alion is a red wine from the renowned Ribera Del Duero region of Spain. Produced by Vega Sicilia, a name synonymous with quality in the wine industry, this wine is crafted from a proprietary blend of grape varietals. While specific details about the varietal composition are not provided, wines from this producer and region typically showcase the intense flavors and robust structure characteristic of Tempranillo, often complemented by other local varietals.
Without specific reviews to draw from, we can highlight the general expectations for a Vega Sicilia Alion wine. This wine is anticipated to exhibit deep, dark fruit flavors, such as blackberries and plums, combined with earthy and spicy notes, possibly including hints of leather, tobacco, or pepper, which are common descriptors for wines from this area. The tannins are often firm yet well-integrated, contributing to a balanced and harmonious structure.
The 2021 vintage, like those before it, would likely benefit from some aging to allow its complex flavors to fully develop. Ribera Del Duero wines are known for their aging potential, and a few years in the bottle can enhance their depth and complexity.
While no specific alcohol content or closure type is noted, it's common for wines from this region to have a moderate to high alcohol level, complementing their bold flavor profile. The absence of a label description suggests that Vega Sicilia relies on its reputation and the intrinsic quality of its wines to communicate their value and appeal.
In summary, the 2021 Vega Sicilia Alion represents a blend of tradition and quality, offering wine enthusiasts a taste of the esteemed Ribera Del Duero region. Its expected richness and complexity make it a notable choice for those seeking a robust Spanish red wine.
Bodegas Vega Sicilia Description
Alión embodies the diversity of Ribera del Duero. This wine represents a mosaic of personalities, with vineyards from the eastern border of the appellation (Soria) to the western end (the Vega Sicilia estate in Valbuena de Duero).
During the ageing process, in concrete, barrels and oak vats, the different sites are blended to create a harmonious Ribera.
2021 was a vintage to savour, to enjoy tasting the grapes, with their crisp, fruity skins and noble textures. The wines developed gently and the winemaking flowed smoothly.
It was a year to remember and one that we are very proud of. A balanced, silky and profound vintage.
Alcohol by volume- 14.5 %
Variety- Tinto Fino
Average age of vineyard- 40 years
Vineyard surface area- 70ha in different municipalities of Valladolid, Burgos, Soria and Segovia
Planting density- 2,222 plants/ha
Altitude- 750 m
Yield- 3,300 kg/ha - 23,1 Hl/ha
Harvest -Manual, in 12 kg boxes, from 24 September to 11 October
Wine Advocate: 96 Points
The vintage released in 2025 is the 2021 Alión, a year to remember, one of the best in recent times. 2021 was relaxed and textbook in all senses, with snow in the beginning of the year, a mild spring disturbed only by frost in Pesquera that didn't affect other villages and a relatively cool summer that slowed things down, and the grapes ripened to perfection without rain after September. They used grapes from 13 different villages throughout the Ribera del Duero, from a total of 130 hectares. The grapes were cooled down for 24 hours, and once destemmed, they were put in the oak and stainless steel vats, where they underwent a five-day cold soak and then native fermentation through a "pied de cuve." The wine has 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.81 and 4.8 grams of acidity (tartaric). It's very fresh and fruit-driven, with the balance and elegance of the cooler year, and it's a little austere, with very elegant and polished tannins and a different quality, when the grapes ripen slowly. They believe 2024 has the potential to be like 2021, after the 2022 and 2023 vintages were a lot more challenging. This is a large production of 244,244 bottles, 7,075 magnums and some larger formats. It was bottled in June 2023.
James Suckling: 95 Points
A pretty deep but fresh and harmonious wine that can be consumed early. It’s from a blend of Ribera del Duero vineyards. Fascinating aromas of fine spices, dark chocolate, dark cherries, blackberries and cedar wood. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, chalky tannins and a lasting finish. Impeccable balance. A textbook Ribera del Duero that gives a panoramic view of the region. Drink from 2025.
Vinous: 94 Points
The 2021 Alión comes from Ribera del Duero. The nose is slightly liqueur-like, with herbs and red fruit complemented by oak and a cherry note. Forest floor emerges later. The palate is juicy and polished, with fine-grained tannins and a slightly compact mid-palate. It finishes with a well-integrated note of aged fruit.
Wine Spectator
Suave and harmonious, offering a silky mix of plumped cherry, plum and sassafras, plus a touch of cocoa powder defined by long, limber tannins. Refreshed by the tang of orange peel–infused acidity, this is fragrant through the lightly chewy finish, showing notes of wild thyme, iron, milled white pepper and dried violet. Drink now through 2040. 21,791 cases made, 1,228 cases imported.
