Alión

Bodegas Alion was started by the renowned estate of Vega Sicilia in 1991. Grapes are sourced from vineyards next to the winery and from Vega Sicilia’s own vineyards at Valbuena. Eighteen hectares of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) form the actual Alion estate. The 2004 Alion is inky purple-colored with an alluring perfume of toasty oak, lavender, violets, mineral, blackberry, and blueberry compote. This is followed by a full-bodied, rich, opulent, wine with incipient complexity, and notes of licorice, mocha, and espresso emerging on the palate. The lengthy finish is pure and persistent. Give it 3–5 years in the cellar and drink it through 2025.

Saturated red. Fresh strawberry and raspberry aromas are complemented by subtle Indian spice and mineral qualities. Really shows its fruit on the palate today, offering vivid red berries, blackberry and candied. Tannins make a brief appearance on the finish but are subsumed by the energetic fruit. I’ve no doubt that this will repay cellaring but it wouldn’t be infanticide to drink a bottle now.