Bodegas y Viñedos ALIÓN 2022

BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS ALIÓN 2022

Some wines are born from an easy vintage, while others demonstrate their true greatness precisely when the vineyard and the winery team face a challenge. Alión 2022 belongs to this second category. The vintage was warm and dry, but it also disrupted the usual ripening patterns: some vineyards that normally ripen later ripened earlier, while others that ripen early needed more time. Faced with such a powerful and sunny year, Alión's main objective was to preserve freshness and prevent concentration from dominating the wine's personality.

Alión is made exclusively with Tinto Fino, the local expression of Tempranillo, from a diverse mosaic of vineyards in the Ribera del Duero region. The winery works with approximately 130 hectares of its own vineyards located in areas such as Padilla de Duero, Pesquera de Duero, and Valbuena de Duero, at an altitude of approximately 750 meters, with an average vine age of around 30 years. To this base is added a selection of grapes from different locations within the appellation, including cooler, higher-altitude areas that proved especially important for preserving tension and balance during such a warm vintage.

The harvest is done by hand, and the grapes arrive at the winery in small 12-kilo crates. Alión's winemaking process has constantly evolved in recent years, always with the aim of refining the expression of the vineyard. From the addition of concrete tanks in 2016 to the use of larger vessels, foudres, and other materials, the winery has expanded its tools to adapt vinification and aging to the characteristics of each vintage.

In 2022, this pursuit was particularly important. To tame the intensity of a warm and dry vintage, a gentler vinification process was employed, and oak was used more judiciously. The aging process relied on larger vessels and materials such as concrete, aiming to ensure that the fruit and the identity of the Ribera del Duero region were not masked by concentration or an excessive influence of oak. Alión's evolution demonstrates a clear commitment to experimenting and perfecting its style: concrete tanks, foudres, and other vessels have been progressively incorporated into the winery to achieve increasingly precise and balanced wines.

The result is an Alión 2022 of serious and profound character. The nose displays a certain austerity and restrained expression, while on the palate the wine becomes juicier, rounder, and more enveloping. Its 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.89, and a total acidity of 4.58 g/l come together in a well-balanced whole. The tannins are round, polished, and slightly earthier than in other vintages, with a tender and silky texture that makes the wine powerful yet surprisingly approachable.

The 2022 vintage thus demonstrates Alión's ability to adapt to vineyard conditions without compromising its identity. It is a wine of ripe, profound fruit, but also of freshness, balance, and precision. A Ribera del Duero that doesn't simply seek to showcase the power of a sunny vintage, but rather to transform that power into elegance.

Bodegas y Viñedos Alión 2022 is the expression of one of the great modern benchmarks of Ribera del Duero. A wine born from the experience of the Vega Sicilia group, but with its own personality and a more contemporary philosophy, committed to vineyard knowledge, precision in winemaking, and an increasingly intelligent use of aging vessels.

At El Sumiller, we selected Alión because it represents a particularly appealing combination: the depth and aging potential of a great Ribera del Duero, coupled with a constant pursuit of freshness, balance, and elegance. A Tinto Fino from a challenging vintage that demonstrates that a wine's greatness depends not only on the weather, but also on the ability to interpret each year with intelligence and sensitivity.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep and brilliant color with an intense hue.

Nose: Serious and profound, initially restrained and slightly austere, with black fruit, floral notes, spices, mineral nuances, and hints of graphite and dark chocolate.

Palate: Juicy, round, and enveloping, with a tender texture and polished, slightly earthy tannins. The overall effect is powerful, fresh, and remarkably balanced, with a long and persistent finish.

Food Pairing

Ideal with ribeye steak, roast lamb, suckling pig, beef cheeks, grilled red meats, game, traditional stews, casseroles, and aged cheeses.

Serving Temperature

Serve between 16 and 18 ºC.

Aging potential

A vintage of great structure and balance, with the capacity to evolve positively for many years in the bottle.