Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia
Alion Ribera del Duero Tinto Fino
I get a lot of Bordeaux vibes from this tinto. Medium bodied, medium acids. Cherry, cassis and balsamic. It’s more restrained than I was expecting it to be, but still packs a complex punch when brooded upon.
I get a lot of Bordeaux vibes from this tinto. Medium bodied, medium acids. Cherry, cassis and balsamic. It’s more restrained than I was expecting it to be, but still packs a complex punch when brooded upon.
Apr 28th, 20221991 inaugural vintage by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Tried the ‘13 a few times and it doesn’t disappoint. Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak. The palate shows strawberry, blackberry & plum flavors with hints of espresso and licorice surrounded with gentle oak. Tannins are firm and support the backbone of this tremendous wine. Well balance with acidity, full body, lingering finish ends with some fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Will benefit from more time!
1991 inaugural vintage by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Tried the ‘13 a few times and it doesn’t disappoint. Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak. The palate shows strawberry, blackberry & plum flavors with hints of espresso and licorice surrounded with gentle oak. Tannins are firm and support the backbone of this tremendous wine. Well balance with acidity, full body, lingering finish ends with some fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Will benefit from more time!
Jul 24th, 2020Alion was launched with the 1991 vintage by the famous Vega Sicilia estate. The last vintage I tried was the ‘08. Beautiful Ruby with an array aromas of dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak. The palate shows strawberry, blackberry & plum flavors with hints of espresso and licorice surrounded with gentle oak. Tannins are a bit strong but needed to support the backbone of this tremendous wine. Well balance with acidity, full body, lingering finish ends with some fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Needs 10 years!
Alion was launched with the 1991 vintage by the famous Vega Sicilia estate. The last vintage I tried was the ‘08. Beautiful Ruby with an array aromas of dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak. The palate shows strawberry, blackberry & plum flavors with hints of espresso and licorice surrounded with gentle oak. Tannins are a bit strong but needed to support the backbone of this tremendous wine. Well balance with acidity, full body, lingering finish ends with some fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Needs 10 years!
Dec 2nd, 2018Spanish power at its finest. This wine will convert a cali drinker to the old world very easily.
Spanish power at its finest. This wine will convert a cali drinker to the old world very easily.
1 person found it helpfulJan 15th, 2018Gracious dark and red fruit, cherries, plums, wonderfully integrated French oak, body, balance and length (drunk too young)
Gracious dark and red fruit, cherries, plums, wonderfully integrated French oak, body, balance and length (drunk too young)
May 28th, 2017Dark ruby hue. Aromas of cassis, cherry, earthy, leather, licorice, plum, smoke, tar, violet. Full bodied with full tannins and high acidity. Soft tannins. A little hot at the outset and needs time to open up. But otherwise beautiful and expressive. A definitive pairing with red meat. 100% Tempranillo.
Dark ruby hue. Aromas of cassis, cherry, earthy, leather, licorice, plum, smoke, tar, violet. Full bodied with full tannins and high acidity. Soft tannins. A little hot at the outset and needs time to open up. But otherwise beautiful and expressive. A definitive pairing with red meat. 100% Tempranillo.
Apr 7th, 2024Quite full and together. Surprisingly ready to go - just a short decant evens out the tannins, but in a nice way. First had this wine (2011) with steaks at Bar Nestor at San Sebastián so had this with steaks on the grill. Quite deep fruit. Great acid. Oak has fully receded. Tannins medium minus - not sure there’s any reason to wait.
Quite full and together. Surprisingly ready to go - just a short decant evens out the tannins, but in a nice way. First had this wine (2011) with steaks at Bar Nestor at San Sebastián so had this with steaks on the grill. Quite deep fruit. Great acid. Oak has fully receded. Tannins medium minus - not sure there’s any reason to wait.
Jul 24th, 2023