The 2009 Alion, pure Tempranillo aged in French oak, has had the benefit of a couple more years in bottle than the 2011 and shows more nuances, more restraint and a more serious aroma profile. It’s also a ripe year, with notes of plums and shy violets, the oak well-integrated into the wine. The palate is full-bodied with abundant, fine-grained tannins and a velvety, juicy texture, with good extraction and stuffing: I think this will be longer lived than the 2011. They have different styles – this is classier, and 2011 is more exuberant – but they are both at a similar quality level. 320,000 bottles produced. Drink now-2021.
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Alion Ribera Del Duero 2009 750ml
Rated 93 by Wine Advocate
The 2009 Alion, pure Tempranillo aged in French oak, has had the benefit of a couple more years in bottle than the 2011 and shows more nuances, more restraint and a more serious aroma profile. It’s also a ripe year, with notes of plums and shy violets, the oak well-integrated into the wine. The palate is full-bodied with abundant, fine-grained tannins and a velvety, juicy texture, with good extraction and stuffing: I think this will be longer lived than the 2011. They have different styles – this is classier, and 2011 is more exuberant – but they are both at a similar quality level. 320,000 bottles produced. Drink now-2021.
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Opaque ruby. Ripe cherry, dark berries and oak spice on the highly perfumed nose. Fleshy and sweet, offering intense blackberry and cherry-cola flavors that put on weight and become spicier with air. Finishes smooth and expansive, with a smoky nuance and youthfully chewy tannins. This powerful yet lithe wine boasts excellent focus and dark fruit intensity.
Rated 91 by Wine Spectator
This plush red delivers lively flavors of plum, blackberry, nutmeg and toast. Deceptively supple, featuring well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity that imparts plenty of structure. In the modern style. Drink now through 2019.