Sommelier diary #41 

2020 Alión – Ribera del Duero
The 2020 Alión is a poised and finely sculpted Ribera del Duero, showing a cooler sense of precision compared to the broader-framed 2018. Aromatically refined, it opens with black cherry, wild plum and violets, layered with subtle notes of tobacco leaf, clove and crushed graphite. The oak is present but impeccably integrated, lending a gentle frame rather than weight. On the palate, it is focused and linear, with vibrant acidity giving lift to the dark fruit core. The tannins are polished yet firm, promising graceful evolution over the next decade. A beautifully regulated modern Tempranillo—serious, confident and impeccably made. Corked Points: 94

2014 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes – Domaine René Fournier
A traditional and nuanced Gevrey, this 2014 leans on finesse over power. Aromas of wild raspberry, rose petal and red currant meet forest floor, autumn leaves and gentle spice. The palate is elegant and sinewy with fine tannins and a quietly chalky mineral frame. Nothing is out of place—no gloss, no noise, just Burgundy purity and restraint. A thoughtful village wine that speaks clearly of place. Corked Points: 92

2017 Beaune Premier Cru “Clos des Mouches
A wine of lifted charm and fine precision, the 2017 Clos des Mouches shows the graceful side of Beaune Premier Cru. The bouquet is expressive yet refined—red cherries, crushed strawberries and rose petals layered over hints of orange peel, sandalwood and gentle earth. The palate carries a silky flow, supported by refined tannins and a bright, persistent acidity that gives the wine length and definition. Elegant, floral and beautifully composed, it captures the quiet nobility of the Côte de Beaune. Corked Points: 93

2020 Uvaggio – Proprietà Sperino (Lessona, Alto Piemonte)
A beautifully pure and quietly expressive Nebbiolo-based wine from the Alpine foothills of northern Piedmont. The 2020 Uvaggio offers a lifted bouquet of sour cherry, alpine herbs, rosehip and crushed stone, with a faint ferrous note that speaks of its volcanic, sandy soils. The palate is graceful and mineral-driven, medium-bodied with fine-knit tannins and a vibrant spine of acidity. Authentic and soulful, it delivers character over power and terroir over artifice—a wine of clarity and purpose. Corked Points: 91

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