Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia Rioja 'Macan Clasico' 2019 (750ml)
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Description
Benjamin de Rothschild and Vega Sicilia's Macán Clásico is a Tempranillo-based red from Rioja, Spain. This is the project's second wine, crafted from fruit selected during a warm, dry 2019 vintage that was steadied by September rain. Fermentation took place in stainless steel with a portion of the winery's own yeasts, followed by 12 months of aging in a mix of new and used French oak barrels, with a small amount of American oak in the blend.
The wine carries the stamp of a deliberate, careful approach to handling a riper vintage. The nose shows ripe fruit without overripeness, with oak that feels natural rather than imposed. On the palate, juiciness and roundness lead, supported by fine-grained tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. The acidity sits in a mellow register, lending freshness and balance throughout. At 14% alcohol, the wine drinks with restraint and polish, ready to enjoy now but structured enough to age.
Expert Reviews
The second wine in the Bordeaux sense is the 2019 Macán Clásico, a more concentrated and powerful wine cropped from a warmer and drier year that was saved by the 80 liters of rain in the first half of September. It fermented in stainless steel with 10% of their own yeasts, and the élevage was 22% in stainless steel and the rest in new and used oak barrels, mostly French but with around 5% of them American, and lasted 12 months. 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 nose is ripe without excess, and the oak is neatly integrated. The palate is juicy and round, with fine tannins and a velvety texture. 77,316 bottles, 1,050 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in August 2021.