2004 Vega Sicilia Alión
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Tasting notes
Super nose – full of flex and poise; a contortion of fruit, power and secondary aromas – there are strawberry flavours, earth, and truffles like Pinot Noir; and then black fruit concentration, and exotic, extravagant spiciness. The palate seems much less mature than the nose – the fruit is still bound up and tense. Outstanding. (RH)
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Saturated red. Fresh strawberry and raspberry aromas are complemented by subtle Indian spice and mineral qualities. Really shows its fruit on the palate today, offering vivid red berries, blackberry and candied. Tannins make a brief appearance on the finish but are subsumed by the energetic fruit. I've no doubt that this will repay cellaring but it wouldn't be infanticide to drink a bottle now.
Bodegas Alion was started by the renowned estate of Vega Sicilia in 1991. Grapes are sourced from vineyards next to the winery and from Vega Sicilia’s own vineyards at Valbuena. Eighteen hectares of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) form the actual Alion estate. The 2004 Alion is inky purple-colored with an alluring perfume of toasty oak, lavender, violets, mineral, blackberry, and blueberry compote. This is followed by a full-bodied, rich, opulent, wine with incipient complexity, and notes of licorice, mocha, and espresso emerging on the palate. The lengthy finish is pure and persistent. Give it 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it through 2025. Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com
Slightly strange aroma at first (though the tasting room was incredibly crowded so not a lot of fresh air), then minerally cassis shines through. Elegantly earthy and dense but also classy and well dressed even though its youth is still evident. (JH)
About the producer
Vega Sicilia is undoubtably Spain’s most famous winery; a true icon in fine wine with a history dating back to 1864.