Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2006

The 2006 growing season for Ribera Del Duero in Spain could have turned out to be shocking.  What happened over this period started with normal flowering but during the period just after veraison, the heavens opened forcing a large amount of water to be soaked up by the wines.  Huge bunches resulted and could have meant that average wine would be the order of the day but mild temperatures for an extended period meant a hay day for wineries.  Large volumes of top quality wine all round meaning the wine consumer is the winner in the end.

Bodegas y Vinedos Alion 2006

I thought I would see more oak in this wine but the flavours are firmly in the background yet I can feel that they have added a serious yet refined texture to this wine.  The seductiveness of the texture works perfectly with the dirtiness and floral overtones within the wine.  While the flavours are intense and in the darker end of the spectrum I am never overwhelmed by their nature.  Everything just seems to change and evolve as I thought it would yet i'm surprised every time they do.  It is almost like a Jack in the Box. I know what is coming and I'm excited when Jack pops out at the end.  What the Jack in the Box doesn't possess is the wealth of succulent tannins that unfolds from this wine.  They consume my tongue but never dominate or steal the show from the other parts of the performance.  Bravo!

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $150
Rated: 95
Drink: 2015 - 2030
Importer: Negociants

Vega Sicilia Valbuena 1999

The grapes for this wine were picked in two stages.  Once on the 10th of October and then the heavens opened dumping massively until the 26th to allow for the second picking on the 1st of November.  Was the wine affected? Most critics say this is a short term Valbuena when compared to its brothers.  If this is the short term version I would love to see what they can do in an average to good vintage.

Vega Sicilia Valbuena 1999

The wine is very relaxed and ready for action and so it should be at 12 years of age.  It actually has a funky earthy mushroom character that I get from good Burgundies but then moves into another gear with rustic red fruits and spice.    While the tannins are definitely there, I get the feeling that you could drink this whenever you want. The length is impeccable, in fact the whole package is darn beautiful.  

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $220
Rated: 94
Drink: Now to whenever
Importer: Negociants Australia

Vega Sicilia Unico 2000

Vega Sicilia is regarded as the god father of Spanish wine.  These wines require a huge amount of time in the cellar to approach their peak.  They also spend up to 15 years in barrel before bottling but they have been cutting back a bit on the amount of wood.  The Vega Sicilia vineyard is planted to a unique mix of Bordeaux and more traditional Spanish varieties which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Malbec. Unico is now released as a ten year old and is predominately Tempranillo with a little Cabernet adding interest.

Vega Sicilia Unico 2000

The wine possesses inordinate power yet retains a lightness of body.  There is a regal quality about it that draws me in but the tannin structure is the one that is most to die for.  A wealth of tannin explodes in my mouth, enveloping every nook and cranny and still the structure never distracts from the enjoyment of the wine.  The flavours are locked up tight at this stage of the development but what is does show is a mix of dark fruits with earth, porcini mushrooms, spice and a hint of summer flowers.  Maybe that is just me looking forward to the summer days ahead but for the life of me there is a whiff of flowers emerging in my glass.  There is a little bit of sweet oak evident but for a wine that spent 7 years in oak you could only just notice it.  

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $700
Rated: 96++
Drink: 2025 - 2060
Importer: Negociants

 

Tinto Pesquera Reserva 06

This wine comes from the Ribera Del Duero region which has been made famous as it is the home to Vega Sicilia.  The region produces mainly wines from the Tempranillo grape with some international varieties pop their head up ever now and again.

Tinto Pesquera Reserva 06

The wine is 100% Tempranillo and comes across profoundly concentrated yet tilts its hat to both the new and old world in its complexity and flavour profile.  The bottle was opened for 12 hours before I stuck my nose into it and when I did it still screamed for more time. It began with a gourmet style BBQ, smoke box, red fruits, blood plums and spicy vanilla yet it’s the tannin structure that sets this wine apart.  The grip builds and builds and builds!  There is a little alcohol warmth that is holding me back from going nuts over the wine but even with it I’m exceedingly happy.

Alcohol: 14%

Price: $50

Rated: 91

Drink: 2016-2021