ALION

100% Tinto Fino. Vineyards averaging around 40 years old spread across different municipalities in the DO. Moradillo provides acidity and tension; Roa, concentration and tannin texture; while Pesquera and Nava complement with concentration and character. Alión is an interpretation from different harvest times. A very good vintage, although this year will be remembered for being the year of Storm Filomena. It reached extreme temperatures of -15 °C in January, but it was fantastic in terms of the wine. Aged for 12 months using 7% concrete, 3% wooden foudres of 4,000-litres and, for the rest, barrels, 8% of which were American oak, 75% new French oak, and 7% second-year barrels or ‘envinadas’. Subsequently, the wine was aged in bottle for 18 months. Production: 244,244 bottles, 7,075 magnums, 600 double magnums, 80 Imperials and 5 Salmanazars. Very fine Alión, with less oak than usual and a profile of depth and subtlety. On the palate, sapidity, a touch of salinity, and fully integrated and smooth tannins. I love the way the oak is integrated, with much more subtlety than previous Alións. Fluidity, chalky texture, and lots of finesse on the palate. A touch of violet on the back palate and still very primary. One of the best Alións I can remember. Drinking range: 2024 - 2040 Rating: 18 Ferran Centelles, www.JancisRobinson.com (Nov 2024)