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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.3 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 81 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Juliansi on 9/30/2023 & rated 92 points: My joint-WOTN (along with my Torbreck The Celts 2014) at Mika's birthday party, this is the most aged Alion I have tried... This 24 year old Tempranillo showed plenty of elegance and was full of complexity.
Colour came across as red heading towards dark brown, with a 10mm pale rim. Could this be 20 years old I wondered? I knew it was Old World, and the medium- acidity on the palate led me to Italian. In fact, all of us guessed.. Italian. Or most did anyway, there were 1 or 2 guesses of Bordeaux.
Tannins are medium-, and the acidity seemed to get juicier and perhaps even up to medium by the end of the evening when I savoured the last drop.
Love the remnants of red fruits such as strawberry and cherries, with some blackberry and herbs coming through on the palate too. The oak is so well integrated, and the mouthfeel simply silky. The complexity on the mid-palate including earth and cedar made this all the more special. Drink-up, this is calling out its last hoorah presently!
1999 is rated as "excellent" in the Ribera del Duero region. Grapes were ripe, but there was a slightly rainy harvest period. Thus, whilst most of the reviews recommend a drinking window until 2015, I still found this to be immensely pleasurable today.
I am glad DQ found this at the "back of his cellar" and brought this out for Mika's birthday recently... what a treat, this was still excellent!
Extra Supertanker, Glo
Damansara, Malaysia
30 Sept 2023 (638 views) | | | Tasted by Lars1974 on 6/27/2021 & rated 92 points: A wine I've tried 10+ times over the years. Always very good.
Still smooth as velvet and firm. Ceriieis, tobacco, olives, thyme and coppa. The nose is fantastic. This bottle showed a bit less fruit than before. Variation? On the decline? Got two bottles left and I will not wait long.
This being said, still a very good wine! (1952 views) | | | Tasted by appel54 on 8/31/2019 & rated 94 points: Tegelröd färg
Mogna jordgubbar, kaffe, läder, ekat, té (rött), balsamträ, nyponsoppa, lavendel
Torr, stram, en viss syra, härlig längd
Grymt vin! (2673 views) | | | Tasted by karl.1480 on 8/31/2019 & rated 94 points: BYOB with a couple of friends; 8/31/2019-9/1/2019 (Gothenburg): Tasted blind.
Medium intensity, ruby color.
Complex and expressive nose showing sun ripe strawberry, blackberry, cherry liqueur, garrigue herbs, raw meat and asian spice. Some floral overtones and a bit of toasty oak.
Full bodied with bright acidity and silky tannins. Complex and intensive with a very pure feel to the fruit. There's layers upon layers of savory spice, raw meat, bright florals, earthy sous bois, well-balanced oak and sun ripe fruit. Really long finish with a little bit of warmth from the alcohol but now I'm just being picky.
This wine is in a great place right now but probably in the beginning of it's drinking window cause I can't pick up any tertiary notes. The sun ripe feel to the fruit along with meat and garrigue led me directly to southern Rhône. The oak made me a bit doubtful but I called this Châteauneuf-du-Pape somewhere around 2010.
Great wine. (2731 views) | | | Tasted by StasMedvedev.lv on 2/23/2018 & rated 94 points: Opened 2 hours in advance and poured in carafe.
Purplish color with brick rim. Good intensity of aromas. Fruits are on a jammy candied side. Aromas of dried black plum. Somewhat herbal greenish. Mellow, silky, round on the palate.
This wine was my discovery of the night. Odd rainy '99 that was not promising in theory showed how beautifully Alion can mature. Wow! Elegant wine! Tertiary aromas will further develop.
Alion finally convinced me why it is priced fairly close to V°5.
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Read my wine writing at stasmedvedev.lv
and follow me on Instagram (4379 views) | | | Tasted by robmatic on 9/7/2017 & rated 91 points: Going strong. Excellent drinking now and over the next 3-5 years I'd imagine. (4055 views) | | | Tasted by king-bing on 3/23/2017: Good shape. Sumptuous. Decent fruit remains. Slight burnt quality to the fruit? (3704 views) | | | Tasted by robmatic on 3/4/2016 & rated 91 points: Not a wine of tremendous depth or complexity, but it is damn delicious, and the entire bottle disappeared without so much as a potty break. Enjoy now and over the next several years. (4909 views) | | | Tasted by mattyboy_ on 5/13/2015: Faint VA aroma and a little stewy, maybe heat damaged. Earthy and thin, all the fruit completely stripped. Very acidic and austere. Extremely thin. Seems Missed the boat on this one at least 5 years ago. (6073 views) | | | Tasted by robmatic on 2/6/2015 & rated 91 points: Liking this a lot right now. Though it started off kind of shy, after a respectable time in the glass, it revealed a silky texture, nice aromatics, and very good balance. Though I don't think this will be a very long term keeper, I think it will continue to drink well for several years, maybe more. (4880 views) | | | Tasted by elvinet on 1/17/2015 & rated 88 points: Color rojo ligeramente amarronado, ribete suavemente atejado, capa alta y gruesa lágrima suavemente tintada. Buena intensidad en nariz con una fruta bien madura pero en el límite de la sobremaduración, los tostados de la barrica bien integrados y recuerdos de maderas viejas y barnices, café torrefacto en grano, pimientas secas, eucalipto seco, hojas de tabaco, cueros viejos, y ese toque que recuerda una habitación cerrada de hace tiempo de fondo con hojarasca y monte bajo seco. Correcta y amargosa entrada en boca, los tostados se muestran más duros que en nariz y sensaciones de maderas viejas, buen recorrido con una fruta bastante madura y en compota (arándanos azules), una acidez ligeramente cítrica que aporta un pequeño oasis de frescura, taninos algo duros, intenso en su recorrido pero ligero, se puede disfrutar bastante pero necesita mucha aireación y que no coja temperatura, de cuerpo medio y bastante persistente. Final largo, postgusto de fruta sobremadurada y retronasal de maderas viejas.
More information: www.elvi.net/2013/10/26/alion-magnum-1999/ (4066 views) | | | Tasted by ecola on 1/23/2013 & rated 91 points: Tasted blind. Red berries and a little mushroom flavor make this very interesting. Gains depth from glass time. A very balanced food wine. (8275 views) | | | Tasted by ecola on 1/19/2013 & rated 90 points: Very dry but still showing red berries with minerality and acidity. Old world style. (5554 views) | | | Tasted by DoubleMagnum on 1/16/2013 & rated 91 points: Love the cork. It's stamped on the top. Serious nose. Very Spaniard. It was a high pitched bottle, however. It screamed for food or a bit more concentration to balance. Puckery finish and lots of sediment. Lots. (4824 views) | | | Tasted by SoCal on 11/30/2012: Beautiful dried cherries mixed with high tangy acidity and a chocolate undertone. Overall nicely balanced and best with food. Drink now. (5004 views) | | | Tasted by Harley1199 on 11/15/2012: Historical & Vertical Alión Tasting (Bodega Santa Cecilia - Madrid): Pipe drain at first but with time thyme and fresh bread. It was fermented in steel. Some call it old style. I say this is not great as simple a sthat. With air some delicated sense.
Desagüe al principio pero con tiempo tomillo y pan del día. Fue fermentado en acero. Alguno lo llama viejo estilo. Yo digo que sencillamente no es grande. Con algo de aire muestra algo de delicadeza. (5598 views) | | | Tasted by LFCHALA on 10/13/2012 & rated 93 points: Excellent wine. Evolved very well. Surprised me, yet striking, the acidity and tannins. He was open and served, but perhaps should be decanted and aerated for a few hours. (2428 views) | | | Tasted by robmatic on 9/8/2012 & rated 93 points: Lovely nose, balsamic, forest floor, a little olive. Extra points for bouquet. In the mouth it's gentle power, with substantial tannin showing and fully mature fruit. It's a delicate balance and perhaps the fruit won't survive as long as the tannins, but for now it's all good. Drinking nicely, but some meat helps. I'd lean towards drinking this over the next 3 - 5 years. (2838 views) | | | Tasted by leloupedevin on 11/25/2011 & rated 91 points: Bright acidity, that mellows with a little time out of the bottle. Cherry fruit starts to pop after a bit, and light tannins come forward. (1494 views) | | | Tasted by astrauss on 10/29/2011 & rated 93 points: Cedar and spice on the nose. Great acidity. Shared with a winemaker who worked at Vega the year before this vintage. Lovely. (3654 views) | | | Tasted by ecola on 10/24/2011 & rated 91 points: I really like this. Very dry yet fruit forward, drinking great right now. (3356 views) | | | Tasted by alba_br on 8/30/2011 & rated 93 points: Excelente. Taninos macios e sedosos. Aroma de amoras, na boca se apresenta muito complexo, mas muito elegante, equilibrado. (3519 views) | | | Tasted by Tom_B on 8/28/2011 & rated 92 points: Showing just a hint of brick on the ruby red color, this wine a displays notes of blueberry, camphor and cedar on the nose. Medium bodied with juicy cranberry flavors' mouthwatering acidity leads to a finish that is balanced and full. (3435 views) | | | Tasted by SoCal on 8/4/2011: Purple color translucent on the edges. Brambly fresh crisp cherry nose with oak toast. Lean palate sweet red cherry. Light weight silkly focused mouth feel. High acid but not overbearing. Finish is med. Overall This wine is drinking great and can only loose fruit. For me this is a drink now especially with food. See manchego. (3412 views) | | | Tasted by andtheodor on 7/1/2011 & rated 88 points: Ribera del Duero: More char and chocolate than the '96 with oak and menthol beginning to show; this seems unusual. Awkward plum and oak palate. Weird and hard to interpret, some suggested a flaw but to me it tastes like a wine made in barrel instead of the vineyard. Not a lot to get excited about compared to the '96. (3957 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (8/15/2007)
(Alion Ribera del Duero Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/3/2003)
(Alion Ribera del Duero Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, July/August 2003, IWC Issue #109
(Bodegas y Vinedos Alion Ribera del Duero) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jon Rimmerman
Garagiste (3/27/2008)
(Vega Sicilia "Alion") Thursday SPECIAL - Alion Dear Friends, Lots of interesting treasures here in Europe and most of the vintners are more nervous than they let on. Without the American presence (due to dollar values), there is a huge gap to fill. Yes, the Far East, Russia and emerging nations will take as much Bordeaux, Burgundy and other famous names you can throw at them, but what about everything else? That is where things get interesting. Who is going to take all the Languedoc and Rhone wine sitting around? What about the lesser Bordeaux that the US and UK market take piles of? It’s not going to be the US for the present time so the vintners are stuck in a dilemma. Lower prices and sell their wares or wait it out and hope other markets will emerge. It is a conundrum and they don’t’ have long to wait - the next vintage is just around the corner... With that in mind, pounding the pavement can still bring the best rewards and this find was like opening Pandora's box. Here is a beautiful parcel of Alion at about the same price as original release (when the dollar was actually worth more than the Euro). Both vintages are near peak and ready to enjoy. Most prefer the 1999 at this stage but the 2000 may still have its day with another few years in bottle. Both have been perfectly cellared and never moved since release - they are in library release condition: 2000 Vega Sicilia “Alion” STRICT LIMIT 6/person ” 1999 Vega Sicilia “Alion” (IWC90+) STRICT LIMIT 6/person ” Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Spain6220 Spain6230 |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Garagiste. (manage subscription channels) |
| Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Producer websiteTinto FinoTinto Fino or Tinta del País is the local name in Ribera del Duero for Tempranillo, probably Spain’s most famous grape. The name relates to the early fruit ripening, ideal for the harsh continental climate and short growing season of the region.
In Ribera del Duero Tempranillo yields smaller berries, loose clusters and tougher skin, which encourages more skin-to-juice contact and promotes full-bodied, powerful wines that still retain the grape’s renowned elegance. It’s a vibrant, aromatic variety that offers spicy, red fruit aromas and flavors.
The combination of power and elegance represents Tempranillo’s signature in Ribera del Duero, and the region’s singular contribution to winemaking today.Spain Vinos de España - Wines of Spain (Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior) | Wikipedia
Wine Map on weinlagen-info
Spain is the third largest wine producing nation in the world, occupying the majority of the Iberian Peninsula with vast diversity in climate, culture, and of course, wine. From inky, dark reds of the [Priorat] to dry, white Finos from Andalusia, Spain can easily boast of elaborating a wide variety of notable styles. Within Spain there are currently 62 demarcated wine regions, of which a handful have gained international recognition: [Rioja], Priorat and [Ribera del Duero]. Yet these regions are only a small sample of the high quality wines Spain produces. Regions such as Cava, Penedes, Somontano, Galicia, Rueda and Jerez are only a few of the numerous regions worthy of exploration throughout Spain. Spain can also lay claim to having the most land under vine in the world, growing up to, by some accounts, 600 indigenous varietals of which Tempranillo is their most well known. Other popular varietals include [Garnacha], Bobal and Monastrell for reds and for whites; the infamous [sic] Palomino Fino grape which is used in the production of sherry wine, Pedro Ximenez in Montilla Morilles, Albarino used in the creation of the bright, effervescent wines of Galicia, and Verdejo in Rueda. - Source: - Catavino.net
Spain is not in the forefront of winemaking for its dessert wines, other than for its sweet wines from Sherry country including the highly revered Olorosos (when sweetened). But apart from Sherry Spain has a range of styles of dessert wines, ranging from the those made from the Pedro Ximenez grape primarily in Jerez and Montilla-Moriles) to luscious, red dessert wines made in the Mediterranean from the Garnacha (Grenache) grape. Some good Moscatels are made in Mallorca, Alicante and Navarre. The northwest corner of Spain, Galicia, with its bitter Atlantic climate, is even making dessert wines, called “Tostadillos” in the village of Ribadivia (similar to France’s “Vin de Paille”). The Canary Islands have made interesting dessert wines for centuries (they are mentioned by Shakespeare, for example) and in recent years the quality of winemaking has been improved and the Canary Islands wines are being better marketed now. The winemaking styles for “Vinos Dulces” are also diverse, from “Late Harvest” (Vendimia Tardía) to “Fortified Wines” (Fermentación Parcial). Based on in-spain.info.Castilla y León Castilla y León Wine (Turismo Castilla y León )Ribera del Duero El Corazón del Duero - The Heart of Duero (Consejo Regulador de la D.O. Ribera del Duero) |
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