Alión (Vega Sicilia) Ribera del Duero 2021

96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$150 list] The vintage released in 2025 is the 2021 Alión, a year to remember, one of the best in recent times. 2021 was relaxed and textbook in all senses, with snow in the beginning of the year, a mild spring disturbed only by frost in Pesquera that didn't affect other villages and a relatively cool summer that slowed things down, and the grapes ripened to perfection without rain after September. They used grapes from 13 different villages throughout the Ribera del Duero, from a total of 130 hectares. The grapes were cooled down for 24 hours, and once destemmed, they were put in the oak and stainless steel vats, where they underwent a five-day cold soak and then native fermentation through a "pied de cuve." The wine has 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.81 and 4.8 grams of acidity (tartaric). It's very fresh and fruit-driven, with the balance and elegance of the cooler year, and it's a little austere, with very elegant and polished tannins and a different quality, when the grapes ripen slowly. They believe 2024 has the potential to be like 2021, after the 2022 and 2023 vintages were a lot more challenging. It was bottled in June 2023. Drink: 2025-2040. (6/19/25)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of plots from across the region of varying altitudes and viticulture, some estate and some not, from Soria to Valbueno de Duero, the 2021 Alion is a full-bodied 100% Tempranillo of great finesse from an outstanding vintage noted for its balance and silkiness. Juicy red plum coats a palate of gorgeous length and breadth. Aged in both French and American oak for 12 months, with another 18 months in bottle, it shows the excellence of the year and the producer’s winemaking approach. Drinking well now, it will continue to develop over the next 15-20 years. Drink: 2025-2045. (7/30/25)"

96 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "Style: taut, jammy. Color: Cherry. Aroma: complex, expressive, spicy, mineral, ripe fruit, red berry notes. Flavour: full-bodied, long, great length. (Jan 2024)"

95 points Ines Salpico (Decanter): "There's a very particular, alluring savoury appeal to this wine, with its distinct salty liquorice note hovering over dried oregano, thyme, black pepper, cardamom and dried violets. Well presented tannins, with a broody, toasty edge. Fresh and vibrant yet robust, with a fragrant persistence of wild roses and Earl Grey. Long, spicy finish with a long tail sprinkled with white pepper. Drinking Window: 2025-2040. (1/20/25)"

95 points James Suckling: "A pretty deep but fresh and harmonious wine that can be consumed early. It’s from a blend of Ribera del Duero vineyards. Fascinating aromas of fine spices, dark chocolate, dark cherries, blackberries and cedar wood. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, chalky tannins and a lasting finish. Impeccable balance. A textbook Ribera del Duero that gives a panoramic view of the region. Drink from 2025. (8/13/24)"