Vega Sicilia Alion 2020, Ribera Del Duero DOC

Description

Vega Sicilia Alion 2020 is a red wine from the Ribera del Duero wine-growing appellation of Spain. It is the second Ribera del Duero project by Vega Sicilia. Alion is produced from grapes grown at the main estate as well as grapes from two other locations.

Vega Sicilia traces its origins back to 1864 when was established by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, who planted various grapes varieties from the Bordeaux wine region of France, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate has been owned since 1982 by the Álvarez family. 1982 was the year that Ribera del Duero was granted Denominación de Origen (DO) status and it is the Alvarez family who have turned Vega Sicilia into one of the world’s iconic wines. The estate comprises 1000 hectares with some 210 under vine. There are 19 soil types divided into 55 plots with very specific characteristics. The influence of the River Duero’s flow and the passage of time have been vital in developing these soils.

The grapes for Vega Sicilia Alion come from three distinct blocks of vines totalling some 130 hectares. There are 70 hectares at Vega Sicilia itself, 30 hectares in the in the Padilla de Duero municipality, where the winery is located and a third block of 30 hectares is in the nearby town of Pesquera de Duero. The aim is to obtain a wine that represents the best of the Ribera del Duero, in keeping with the vine management criteria that emanate from Vega Sicilia. Different types of soils are used that complement each other to ensure a qualitative diversity in the same variety of grape, the Tinto Fino.

The grapes are harvested by hand into 12kg boxes and are taken immediately to the winery to the sorting tables. Fermentation takes place in wooden tanks under controlled temperatures until a good polyphenolic structure is obtained which will provide the generous colour and firm structure that makes up part of the personality of this wine; and finally the ageing of between 12 and 14 months (80% new,  mainly French oak with 10% American). After bottling the wine is aged for no less than 15 months in bottle prior to release. 100% Tinto Fino / Tempranillo.

The Vintage

The previous cycle ended with warmer temperatures than normal and the weather conditions enabled good lignification. Normal spring temperatures with precipitation enabled budbreak to occur as normal during the second fortnight of April, with no frosts recorded. There was some rain during harvest

Covid-19 made 2020 a challenging vintage, but the wines are delicate, deep and spicy. Vega Sicilia Alion 2020 stands out for its elegance and finesse.