Bodegas Alión – 2021 Alión

Bodegas Alión – 2021 Alión.

A compelling and finely judged interpretation of Ribera del Duero that prioritizes balance, freshness, and precision without sacrificing depth or authority. The 2021 vintage stands as one of the most complete Alións of recent years, capturing the appellation’s diversity with clarity and restraint. Rather than a single-vineyard statement, this wine offers a panoramic view of Ribera del Duero—layered, poised, and quietly confident.

About the Winery

Bodegas Alión was founded in the early 1990s as the first project launched after Vega Sicilia itself. From the outset, Alión was conceived not as an extension or secondary expression of Vega Sicilia, but as a distinct and autonomous vision. Where Vega Sicilia is defined by estate-owned vineyards and long élevage, Alión was designed to interpret Ribera del Duero as a whole—dynamic, diverse, and responsive to vintage variation.

This philosophy is rooted in close, long-term relationships with growers across the appellation, spanning a wide range of villages, altitudes, and soil types. Alión’s identity is therefore not fixed by place, but shaped each year through selection, blending, and interpretation. Consistency of style is secondary to consistency of intent: expressing Ribera del Duero authentically in any given vintage.

In the cellar, this flexibility continues. A broad range of oak origins, toast levels, and vessel sizes is employed with notable restraint, focusing on texture and structure rather than overt flavour. Increasing use of smaller-format vessels has enhanced parcel-by-parcel precision, allowing the final blend to be assembled with exceptional detail—an approach more often associated with boutique producers than a wine of Alión’s scale.

About the Region

Ribera del Duero is defined by extremes: high altitude, continental climate, significant diurnal shifts, and a mosaic of soils ranging from limestone and clay to sand and gravel. These conditions naturally lend themselves to wines of structure and intensity, yet the finest expressions also emphasize freshness and restraint.

Alión’s sourcing across thirteen villages allows it to balance these contrasts, weaving together power from warmer sites with tension and lift from higher, cooler vineyards. In 2021, this regional diversity proved decisive.

About the Wine

The 2021 growing season unfolded with notable calm. Winter cold replenished water reserves, spring was balanced, and a relatively cool summer slowed ripening, preserving natural acidity and aromatic precision. Crucially, the final weeks before harvest remained dry, allowing full phenolic maturity without excess sugar accumulation.

In the glass, the wine shows a deep but vibrant ruby colour. Aromatically, it is composed and precise: dark cherry, blackberry, and blueberry form the core, complemented by graphite, subtle cocoa, fine spice, and a gentle floral lift. There is no sense of excess—everything is measured and quietly expressive.

On the palate, the wine is fluid and energetic, driven by a fresh, linear acid profile that provides tension and length. The tannins are finely grained and chalky, offering structure without heaviness. Oak is seamlessly integrated, shaping the wine’s architecture rather than its flavour profile. The overall impression is one of proportion and harmony—slightly austere in youth, yet deeply assured.

This is an Alión that favours precision over opulence, recalling the most successful cooler vintages of the appellation. While already approachable thanks to its balance, it clearly possesses the depth and inner energy to evolve gracefully over the next decade and beyond.

Food Pairing

The 2021 Alión pairs beautifully with refined yet flavour-driven dishes. Think roast lamb with herbs, grilled Iberico pork, or veal with a light reduction. Its freshness also allows it to work with dishes featuring earthy elements such as mushrooms or lentils, while aged Manchego provides a classic and harmonious match.

Conclusion

The 2021 Alión is a benchmark expression of modern Ribera del Duero—confident, balanced, and precise. It demonstrates how diversity, when carefully interpreted, can result in coherence rather than compromise. This wine stands firmly on its own terms, not as a counterpart to Vega Sicilia, but as a distinct and contemporary voice within the region.

We award the 2021 Alión a 95-point DWA score, recognizing it as one of the most accomplished releases of the past decade and a reference point for the appellation.

This wine, alongside its role within the wider Vega Sicilia universe, is explored in greater depth in our article on TEMPOS Vega Sicilia, where Alión and this standout 2021 vintage feature prominently.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Alión is imported and distributed in the Netherlands by Colaris, and available through their online shop as well as direct sale for professionals.

Taste Date:     February 2026

Website:         Vega Sicilia / Alión