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2012 Alion

2012 Alion

95 RP

Featured Review
2012 has to be one of the best recent vintages of AliĂłn. This 2012 AliĂłn is pure Tempranillo from vineyards averaging 25 to 30 years of age, harvested at the end of September and matured for 14 months in new French oak barrels. The nose is much more elegant than the Pintia from Toro (I tasted them together), still very fresh and primary but with a special brightness of fruit, shiny cherries, raspberries, something effervescent, open and somehow exuberant. The palate is quite round, much more polished, with some notes of dark chocolate, some subtle volatility, elegant, fresh and long. It has the balance and stuffing to develop nicely in bottle. Superb balance, Ribera character, clean, modern classic. 280,000 bottles were produced. Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Robert Parker | 95 RP

Critic Reviews

2012 has to be one of the best recent vintages of Alión. This 2012 Alión is pure Tempranillo from vineyards averaging 25 to 30 years of age, harvested at the end of September and matured for 14 months in new French oak barrels. The nose is much more elegant than the Pintia from Toro (I tasted them together), still very fresh and primary but with a special brightness of fruit, shiny cherries, raspberries, something effervescent, open and somehow exuberant. The palate is quite round, much more polished, with some notes of dark chocolate, some subtle volatility, elegant, fresh and long. It has the balance and stuffing to develop nicely in bottle. Superb balance, Ribera character, clean, modern classic. 280,000 bottles were produced.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RP
(raised in new French oak barrels for 14 months) Opaque ruby. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, violet, licorice, pipe tobacco and toasty oak, and a suave mineral flourish adds vivacity. Sweet, seamless and broad on the palate, offering powerful cassis, cherry-vanilla and floral pastille flavors that become livelier and more spicy as the wine opens up. Distinctly rich but graceful as well, showing zero excess fat and no rough edges. Closes impressively long and sappy, with sneaky tannins adding gentle grip. This bodega, which is owned by the Vega Sicilia group, has been on a serious quality roll in recent vintages.

Vinous Media | 93 VM
Pointy, pinched black-fruit aromas come with complex notes of graphite, tobacco, tree bark and horse hide. A young, fierce palate is tannic like sandpaper, while roasted blackberry flavors are backed by savory spice notes and wood grain. Big, lusty flavors of coffee, mocha and toast unfold on the finish, which is everlasting. Drink 2018–2028.

Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE
Cherry, raspberry and kirsch flavors show a ripe character in this bright red, backed by citrusy acidity and light, firm tannins. Well-balanced, fresh and lively. Drink now through 2018. 570 cases imported.

Wine Spectator | 90 WS

Wine Details for 2012 Alion

Type of Wine Spain Red : Spanish wines shouldn't be overlooked under any circumstances, as there are plenty of extraordinary wines coming from this country. There are also lots of grape varietals grown all over Spain. Some of the most gorgeous red varieties are the early-harvested Tempranillo, raspberry-flavored Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.
Varietal Tempranillo : The world’s most popular and widely planted grape varietals often have a strong presence in their place of origin, where the terroir and climate are most suitable for growth and success. None may be more evident than that of Tempranillo. This Noble Grape is the 3rd most widely planted varietal in the world but is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares planted around the world, 202,000 are cultivated in Spain.

Tempranillo is an ancient grape but very little is known of its history prior to the 19th century. While the earliest mention of Tempranillo is from 1807, there are various speculations of its true time and place of origin. Some believe the grape originated in southern France as a natural hybrid of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Others believe that Tempranillo was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago. According to research conducted at UC Davis, Tempranillo likely originated in Northern Spain, possibly in the winegrowing regions of Rioja and Navarra, where it remains the primary grape variety.

Tempranillo grapes hang in medium to large cylindrical clusters with sparse foliage which needs attention to adapting canopy needs in hotter regions. The pear-shaped, deep blue-black berries of Tempranillo arrive early to the vineyard, usually being harvested in late August to mid-September. The name Tempranillo quite possibly derived from temprano, which means early in Spanish and might be due to the grape’s early ripening.

The varietal thrives in Mediterranean and Continental climates where the days are warm and dry and balanced by cool nights which help to ensure ample fruit and bright structure. Tempranillo easily adapts to the terroir of Spain and greatly prospers in Rioja, La Mancha and Ribera del Duero, where the terroir is composed of a myriad of differing soils and elements, including calcareous and ferrous deposits, clay, sand and alluvial materials. The vines willing set root in free draining gravelly-loam, sand and clay. Tempranillo showcases the terroir though the wine itself, displaying different characteristics which are dependent on location. Rioja and Navarra deliver pepper, red cherry and subtle cinnamon notes with ample structure. Ribera del Duero, Toro and Cigales are typically deeper, darker and more brooding with blackberry fruit flavors and intense tannins. The varietal’s ability to adapt to its elements is as immensely impressive as it is important to Spain’s winegrowing and winemaking industry.

Words often found on Spanish labels include: Roble, Tinto, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. These aging terms inform whether the wine has spent little to no time in oak all the way up to 18-24 months with an additional four years of bottle aging. According to many proprietors, the more time spent in oak and aging, the better the quality. This is common practice in Rioja, Duero and La Mancha, where Tempranillo is the workhorse and also the shining star. Wines produced from the Tempranillo grape varietal range from rock star producers in Rioja (Benjamin Romeo Contador) to Ribera del Duero (Vega Sicilia) to quality value wines form La Mancha.

Today, Tempranillo is cultivated in fifteen different countries around the world, including Mexico, South America (most notably Argentina) California and of course, Portugal. Tempranillo is one of the top varietals blended into Port wine from Portugal, where it is called Tinta Roriz. Full-bodied single-varietal examples are starting to gain traction in Dao and Alentejo where the grape is labeled as Aragonez.
Country Spain : Grapevines have been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, making Spain one of the oldest wine producing countries on earth. With nearly 1 million hectares under vine, Spain is in possession of more grapevines that any other nation in the world. Today, vineyard cultivation takes place in virtually every administrative district, making it a leading producer on today’s market. Spain’s vineyards generate an annual wine output of 40.7 million hectoliters, ranking it third in the world behind only France and Italy.

Spain is a land of breathtaking beauty, diverse topography, complex cultures and a time honored tradition of viticulture. The country’s broad geographical values play a major role in defining the many wine styles produced. From the cool climes of Galicia and the snow-capped Pyrenees to arid Andalucía in the south, and every region in between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, Spain boasts one of the most diverse terroirs in the world.

The country’s myriad of soils and complex climate systems creates an expansive planting ground for a multitude of varietals. Tempranillo has long played an instrumental role in Spanish winemaking. It is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares being cultivated world-wide, 202,000 are planted in Spain. It is commonly utilized in the production of still red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro and has taken the world by storm. In the past few decades, wines produced in Rioja have been some of the most popular, and in 2017, wines with a “Rioja” label were the most purchased on the wine market. Bodegas Vega Sicilia, located in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain has been one of the most sought after producers hailing from Spain, and Tinta de Toro (otherwise known as Tempranillo everywhere else) has certainly placed its mark on the region and the world.

Spain is also renowned for its production of sweet, raisened Moscatel, fortified Madeira, sparkling Cava and its rising, but shining star, Albarino, which hails from the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. Some of the most recognizable names in the world of wine hail from Spain.

In the past few decades there has been a collision of New and Old World winemaking; one which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Spanish wine industry. Modernization of vineyards, facilities and viticulture has greatly improved the significance of Spain in the wine market. Syrah and Merlot have taken root in Spanish wine regions and combined with the indigenous Garnacha (Grenache) Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Godello and many others, the country has not only adapted to new styles of winemaking but also the ever changing palate of consumers.


Region Duero : A rough environment can contribute a lot to one's character, as we're all aware. Fortunately, this also applies to wines, and there's no better example than the glorious DO of Ribera del Duero. Based almost entirely on rocky terrain, this commune is responsible for some of Spain's greatest viticultural accomplishments. Outside of Albillo-infused whites that see local popularity, this area is entirely dedicated to the production of luxurious and powerful reds. The favored varietal is Tempranillo (known over there as Tinto Fino), and the winemakers mix in a healthy dose of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec from time to time.

More so than most other regions in the world, this area is known for wines that can last an astoundingly long time. This makes their reds a favorite amongst collectors and a great way for inexperienced wine enthusiasts to develop a sense of patience when it comes to wine aging. When allowed to develop sufficiently, you can expect a marvelous unraveling of smokey, intense flavors of spice and dark fruit, with leather and tobacco adding an earthy quality to them that adds a lot of raw force to the attack.

Overview

Producer Alion

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