Vega Sicilia : Alion 2022

Tasting characteristics and advice for Alión 2022 from Vega Sicilia

Tasting

Appearance
The color reveals a bright, luminous cherry hue.

Nose
The bouquet is fragrant and floral, with delicate notes of violet and peony. Blackberry aromas are accompanied by subtle touches of blackcurrant and blueberry, while a mineral dimension brings depth to the whole.

Palate
On the palate, this wine shows a medium-bodied profile with precise, elegant tannins. Spicy notes of allspice and bay leaf unfold, leading into a taut, persistent finish that highlights a fine sense of tension.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, a rack of herb-crusted lamb, or slow-cooked beef dishes. It also matches very well with assertive aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

To fully enjoy Alión 2022, it is recommended to decant it one hour before serving and serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

A powerful Ribera del Duero tempranillo by Vega Sicilia

The estate

Founded in 1864 by Eloy Lecanda in the Douro Valley in Castile-León, Vega Sicilia embodies the ultimate Spanish wine legend. Established in Valbuena de Duero in Ribera del Duero, the estate spans over 1,000 hectares, including 210 hectares of vines. Owned by the Álvarez family since 1982, Vega Sicilia stands out for its pioneering introduction of Bordeaux techniques as early as 1904 and its legendary cuvées Unico and Valbuena created in 1915, producing wines of remarkable power and elegance.

The vineyard

The grapes for Alión 2022 come from a mosaic of terroirs located in Ribera del Duero, mainly from Moradillo, complemented by parcels in Padilla, Pesquera, Peñaranda, Villálvaro, and the Vega Sicilia estate itself. The vines, averaging 30 years of age, are planted about 15 kilometers from Vega Sicilia’s historic vineyards, on terroirs spread across Valladolid, Burgos, Soria, and Segovia.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage in Castile-León proved particularly demanding due to a hot, dry climate. Harvesting began in early September, allowing the estate to pick grapes with excellent ripeness. These climatic conditions required an adaptation of viticultural practices to preserve balance and freshness in these renowned Spanish wines.

Vinification and aging

In light of the power of the 2022 vintage, the Vega Sicilia team favored a non-interventionist approach for Alión 2022, with gentle, measured extraction. The use of new oak was reduced to 70%, while larger-capacity vessels such as foudres, as well as concrete, were used to manage the impact of oak and preserve the purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% tinto fino, the local expression of tempranillo in Ribera del Duero.