Alión 2021 shows bright cherry red in the glass, with spicy and mineral aromatics alongside ripe plums and red cherries. The palate is full-bodied and powerful yet balanced, delivering fruit richness tempered by fine, polished tannins and a hint of saline freshness. Oak is very well integrated, adding subtle toast and vanilla without overwhelming the purity of the fruit. The wine closes long, with a lingering tension and a slightly austere precision that promises great aging.

Drawn from vines averaging around 30-40 years old across roughly 130 hectares in various villages of Ribera del Duero (including contributions from Burgos, Valladolid, Soria and Segovia), this vintage was hand harvested, sorted, and fermented under careful control. It underwent ageing partly in new French oak barrels (alongside concrete vats or foudres) for 14-18 months, then rested in bottle for at least 15 months before release. The 2021 vintage was cooler, which allowed for slower ripening, excellent balance, and fruit preservation.

Serve at around 18 °C. This wine pairs beautifully with hearty roasted meats (lamb, beef), game (venison or duck), rich stews, or dishes with mushrooms and truffle. Also excellent with aged hard cheeses where its structure can shine.

Alión 2021 represents the perfect marriage of power and elegance: deep fruit, complexity and age-worthy structure, yet with precise freshness and restraint. For those seeking a serious Ribera del Duero wine that delivers both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring, this vintage offers tremendous value given its pedigree, vineyard sourcing, and consistency.

The 2021 vintage has been widely acclaimed, with scores in the mid-90s. Reviewers emphasise its elegant balance of fruit and oak, fine-grained tannins, and long, persistent finish. Many note that this vintage leans more toward freshness and subtlety than sheer power, making it one of the most refined Alión releases in recent years.