100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Vineyards: 130 hectares. Vines: 37 years old. Yields: 28hl/ha. Altitude 750m.
"The highly anticipated 2016 Alión spent 12 months in oak barrels, 80% of them new and built mainly with French oak but with some 5% American oak, and some 10% of the volume matured in 15,000-liter concrete vats. It hits the scale at 15% alcohol and has moderate acidity, showing ripe black fruit and a creamy texture. 2016 has to be one of the freshest and most elegant vintages of Alión, a year with depth, freshness and terrific balance. Same as they do in Pintia, they are finding ways to lower the impact of the oak in the wine; here, they used concrete, and the wine shows more primary and floral aromas and is nicely textured and with fine tannins. 258,458 bottles, 7,017 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in June 2018. Drinkin now - 2028."
95 Pts - The Wine Advocate.
Alión is formed by a careful selection of plots spread across the best of Ribera del Duero. These plots, which complement each other, joined by the same viticulture as Vega Sicilia, have given rise to firm structured wines.
Lots in Alión are guided through 12 months ageing in 80% new barrels. French oak is predominant in 95% barrels and 5% American oak, to obtain maximum complexity from the diversity of soil. Alión 2016 experimented a 10% use of concrete bringing out a more elegant and profound wine.
This vintage will be remembered in the history of Alión. It has a genuine, modern character highlighting its harmony and thoroughness.