Vega Sicilia Alion Ribera del Duero 2022

A great Tinto Fino (aka Tempranillo) from a prestigious estate – there is really little more to say about the 2022 Alión. Hand-harvested, cold maceration, indigenous yeasts, followed by 12 to 14 months' ageing in French barriques, then a further 15 months in the bottle. The technical details alone reveal the producer's high standards and ambition. The wine itself is incredibly dense and concentrated – yet never veers into the monstrous. On the contrary: despite all its intensity, balance is its defining feature. The multitude and strength of the aromas are counterbalanced by great freshness; the Alión is seductively juicy, its soft tannins ensuring a silky mouthfeel.