2021 Bodegas Alion, Ribera del Duero (by Vega Sicilia)

2021 Bodegas Alion, Ribera del Duero (by Vega Sicilia)

2021 Bodegas Alion, Ribera del Duero (by Vega Sicilia)

$127.99 Sale price $145.00 Price
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The 2021 Bodegas Alion, Ribera del Duero (by Vega Sicilia) was a Merchant's Pick

98 points • The Lafite of Spain • Rare & Limited

November 03, 2025

Here's a little fact:  Alion was formerly called Vega Sicilia Valbuena 3 (the 3 signified 3 years of aging before release).  Today, Vega Sicilia no longer makes a 3 year under the Vega Sicilia label.  The 3 year is now Alion.

You may recognize the name Vega Sicilia; it is the premier winery in Spain's Ribera del Duero with their flagship Tempranillo (Unico) selling for more than $500 per bottle. 

Tempranillos from Vega Sicilia are collectible, age-worthy, gorgeous, and simply unmatched.  

"The more accessible entry from Ribera del Duero icon Vega Sicilia, this wine has aromas of blackberry preserves, Turkish delight and clove. It fills the mouth with flavors of cherry pie, plum pudding, dark chocolate, violet talc and licorice wrapped in opulent tannins that recede into a citrus-zest and floral finish."  Wine Enthusiast

One of Vega's most prized wines is Valbuena 5 at $250 per bottle.  Where do the grapes go that don't go into Valbuena 5?

You guessed it...  

Alion's estate bottling!  That's why Alion is often called the “younger sibling” of Vega Sicilia as it is made with the same winemaking style, grace, and elegance.

The 2021 Alion is a gorgeous expression of Vega Sicilia wines, offering pure Tempranillo fruit, aromatics, and complexity.  

Enjoy now and over the next 20 years.

98+

France Has Chateau Lafite And Spain Has Vega Sicilia!

By David Gettenberg

96

“One of the best in recent times.”

Wine Advocate • 96 / 100

"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."
96

“Shows the excellence of the year and the producer’s winemaking approach.”

Jeb Dunnuck • 96 / 100

"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."

Producer: Vega Sicilia

Country: Spain

Region: Ribera del Duero

Subregion: Others

Varietal: Tempranillo

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml

Code: W00786-2021-750