In the quarter century since its inception, Alion has become one of Spain`s flagship wines. It was founded when Vega Sicilia, Spain`s undisputed equivalent of a first growth, decided to create a new bodega to make wine in a more modern style; now Alion has stepped beyond the shadow of its illustrious founder and maintains a proud identity all its own.

True, the two bodegas have a lot in common. They sit side-by-side at Peñafiel in Ribera del Duero, and Alion took possession of a swathe of Vega`s own vineyards when it was founded. But Alion is independently managed, and has trodden its own path. Unlike Vega, Alion uses 100% Tinto Fino (the local clone of Tempranillo) and eschews American oak in favour of French. The result is a wine more Bordeaux-like in style than the wines of Vega Sicilia. (NT 20/08/19)