Vega Sicilia - Alion 2011
Vega Sicilia is considered the largest wine producer in Spain. The Ribera del Duero estate is known for its dense and complex red wines made primarily from the Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grape variety. Its great wine, Unico , is one of the most expensive and sought-after wines in Spain. The Vega Sicilia estate covers approximately 1,000 hectares, including 210 hectares under vines. It has been around since 1864, long before the development of the appellation in which it resides, and the current wine styles date from the 1910s. The quality has become more consistent since the current owners, the Alvarez family , took over in 1982. The vineyards are approximately 80% planted to Tempranillo, with the remainder taken up by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and tiny amounts of Malbec. Yields are kept low, aided by green harvests and careful grape selection. The winery's operations are just as meticulous, with a highly technical series of rackings from large barrels to barrels, blending old and new oak and leading to wines that are capable of long aging. Vega Sicilia also owns the nearby Bodegas Alion , which produces high-quality Tempranillo varietal wines for earlier consumption, as well as Bodegas Pintia in Toro.
Alión is made from hand-harvested Tinto Fino . The grapes are sorted upon arrival at the cellar. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in wooden vats, followed by aging for 12 to 14 months , in concrete vats and new French oak Bordeaux barrels . After maturation, the wine is bottled and left to rest for 15 months before being marketed.
Grape variety: 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)
