Alion, Vega Sicilia 2009

The 2009 Alion, pure Tempranillo aged in French oak, has had the benefit of a couple more years in bottle than the 2011 and shows more nuances, more restraint and a more serious aroma profile. It's also a ripe year, with notes of plums and shy violets, the oak well-integrated into the wine. The palate is full-bodied with abundant, fine-grained tannins and a velvety, juicy texture, with good extraction and stuffing: I think this will be longer lived than the 2011. They have different styles - this is classier, and 2011 is more exuberant - but they are both at a similar quality level. 320,000 bottles produced. Drink now-2021.

Opaque ruby. Ripe cherry, dark berries and oak spice on the highly perfumed nose. Fleshy and sweet, offering intense blackberry and cherry-cola flavors that put on weight and become spicier with air. Finishes smooth and expansive, with a smoky nuance and youthfully chewy tannins. This powerful yet lithe wine boasts excellent focus and dark fruit intensity.