Alion Ribera del Duero Reserva 1994 – Bodegas y Viñedos Alion – Alc. 13.5%
I wrote a very enthusiastic note about the 1995 about four years ago and from my memory and notes this 1994 is just as good. It showed a well developed nose with complex aromas with some rather creamy sweet and sour cherry standing out. The palate was suave and velvety with medium/full bodied, shaped with a classical crescendo in the mouth and quite long aftertaste, good depth of fruit, mouth-watering smooth/lively acidity and enough tannic support for grip on the finish. The oak was implied rather than perceptible, i.e. even better integrated than my notes indicate for the 1995 at the stage of about 5 years younger. 17/20++.
Château Clerc Milon - Pauillac 5ème grand cru classé - 1989 – Baron Philippe de Rothschild – Alc. 13% ; estate planted with Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet franc 10% (1997 information).
The colour was still quite dense with little bricking. The nose was initially discreet but well rounded and complex with elements of dark fruit, tobacco, leather, minerals, mint and leafiness all detectable but with none dominating (18 hours later the heeltaps still smell quite fresh but with mint and leather more dominant). The palate was medium full bodied and classically shaped with crescendo towards the finish; there was still some primary dark fruit mixed in with secondary elements and aromas as from the nose in an integrated whole and there was mature but still firm tannic support for the quite long finish. This was beautiful ripe vintage claret; 17/20++.