Alion Bodegas
Bodegas Alion was founded by the Álvarez family with the aim of producing modern Ribera del Duero wines. The Álvarez family is known for the world-famous Bodega Vega Sicilia. The two domains are just 10 kilometers apart. The name 'Bodegas Alion' refers to the area of Castilla y León, which is the birthplace of the patriarch of the Álvarez family.
The vineyard area covers 130 hectares in total, divided over three different plots. The terroir is characterized by a deep and well-drained soil. This type of soil was created by the alluvial deposits from the river Duero. The three plots are planted exclusively with Tinto Fino, which is the local name for Tempranillo.
The grapes are harvested by hand. During harvesting, only the perfect grapes are selected, in order to get the best quality. In the cellar, the vinification process starts with maceration in large oak barrels. The duration depends on how ripe the grapes are, but it is usually between 8 and 20 days. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12-14 months in French oak barrels. When this phase is completed and the wines are bottled, they are stored in the cellar for another 15 months of bottle ageing. The result is a wine that is intense, layered, but also elegant. The wine has an aging potential of at least 20 years.
Alion was initially meant to become the second wine of Vega Sicilia, but it soon earned its own standing because of the very good quality and the distinct character. Alion was considered one of the best wines in Spain, even from the very first release. The iconic Bodegas Alion vintages are: 2003, 2004 and 2018.
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