The 2019 Vega Sicilia Alion is a proprietary blend hailing from the esteemed Ribera Del Duero region in Spain. Produced by the renowned Vega Sicilia, this red wine has garnered significant praise from several respected reviewers.
James Suckling awarded the wine 95 points, highlighting its complex profile featuring "ripe, tarry plums and black cherries with violets, rocks, coffee and graphite." Suckling describes the wine as full-bodied and notes its "iron fist of tannins" balanced by a velvety texture, resulting in a "very long, focused finish" with considerable finesse and layers. He suggests that while the wine is drinkable now, it will be even better after 2025 (jamessuckling.com, 6/20/2022).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also praised the wine, giving it a score of 94. The 2019 Alion is described as a product of a drier vintage, leading to a powerful and concentrated wine with a structure. The wine has an alcohol content of 15%, mellow acidity, and a pH of 3.88. The review notes that efforts were made to reduce the impact of oak through shortened maceration and the use of concrete for part of the élevage. The result is a ripe and juicy wine with abundant, slightly dusty tannins. A total of 256,526 bottles, 7,005 magnums, and some larger formats were produced, and the wine was bottled in June 2021 (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 1/31/2023).
Wine Spectator rated the wine 92 points, describing it as "tightly meshed and structured by firm, chalky tannins." The review mentions a "plush, polished frame matched to a pretty range of boysenberry coulis, violet, mocha and Earl Grey flavors," with lingering hints of tar and black licorice on the juicy finish. The reviewer suggests that the wine is good to drink now and will continue to evolve until 2029 (Wine Spectator, 7/31/2023).
In summary, the 2019 Vega Sicilia Alion is a well-regarded red wine known for its concentration, structure, and complex flavor profile. It is recommended for current enjoyment and future aging.