BENJAMIN DE ROTHSCHILD & VEGA SICILIA Rioja DOCa Macan 2019 CASE X 1 Magnum (Tempranillo)

Description

A full-bodied, juicy, firm and brooding vintage with great potential to develop.

100% TEMPRANILLO

Description
Macán is a modern and very personal take on the signature wines of the Rioja DOCa region. It is a commitment to finesse, elegance, complexity, and intensity. It is also the standard bearer for Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, the project launched by Tempos Vega Sicilia and Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 2004.

The 2009 vintage was the first to launch to market. Knowledge, effort, patience, and a desire for constant improvement have helped to develop a project that currently resides on a 100-hectare estate on a high slope at the foot of the imposing Sierra de Cantabria, containing high-quality vineyards and cutting-edge production facilities. Macán is made purely from Tempranillo grapes, which come from a meticulous selection of mature plots found on high terraces with poor, gravelly calcareous clay soils.

The grapes exhibited a rustic quality during the September 2019 tasting, but the 80mmof rain played a crucial role in refining their texture. Careful attention was essential to prevent overripeness, ensuring the fruit was harvested at the optimal “al dente” moment. To temper the wine, the use of barriques was reduced in favour of foudres.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
Drink Date: 2025 - 2031
2019 was a more concentrated and powerful year, warmer and drier, but it was saved by the 80 liters of rain in the first half of September. They tried to select the higher-altitude vineyards to have more freshness, and they reduced the number of new barriques used (55%) and increased the use of foudre (45%) for the élevage of the 2019 Macán. It fermented in stainless steel with 10% of their own yeasts. It has a moderate 14% alcohol, mellow acidity and good freshness and balance. 2019 was a dry and warm year when they did a soft vinification to avoid harsh tannins. The wine is very powerful and dense, with a big structure, and it has plenty of tannins. The oak is still noticeable in the aromatics. Give it some more time in bottle and enjoy with powerful food. 87,377 bottles, 2,583 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in August 2021.

There are some changes at the joint venture between Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild, like the introduction of Garnacha and Graciano in the blend from the 2020 vintage and the use of 20,000-liter oak foudres from 2021. They like 2020, an elegant year, and a more powerful 2019.

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Attractive aromas of cloves with blackberries, blueberries, cedar and hints of chocolate. It’s full- to medium-bodied with fine yet chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Sleek and muscular. Needs three to five years to soften but already impressive. Try after 2026.