Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia "Macan Clasico" Rioja DOCa 2018
(Rioja, Spain) - [WE 97] [WA 94] [JS 94] [DM 92]

Composed exclusively of tempranillo grapes harvested from 40 year-old vines, Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia Macan has been very limited in production since its first vintage in 2009. A great Spanish wine crafted in the French style, this Macan leverages the full potential of the Rioja terrain for an elegant, distinguished wine that is powerful and persistent.

Appellation: Rioja (Haute Rioja)
Grapes Varieties: Tempranillo
Plantation Density: 3,328 vines/hectare (2.40 m x 1.25 m)
Vineyard Age: 45 years
Breeding Period: 14 months
Vineyard Area: 75 hectares
Soil Type: 90% argilo-calcareous, 10% argilo-ferrous

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"This dark-garnet-colored wine has a nose of black currant, raspberry and milk chocolate. Deep fruit flavors of cassis and dark plums fill the mouth, joined by notes of cocoa powder, tobacco leaf and espresso bean. Fleecy tannins dissipate into a lingering, fruit-filled finish. Drink now through 2037." - MD (3/1/2023)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Their second wine in the Bordeaux sense is the 2018 Macán Clásico, which in the cooler and late year (they picked between October 2nd and 14th) fermented in stainless steel and matured in 50% new French oak barrels, 10% American oak barrels and 40% used ones for 12 months. The wine has moderate ripeness and alcohol (14%) in a fresher, subtler and more elegant year with good freshness (a pH of 3.75) and balance. It's young and creamy, a baby that will improve as it burns down that fat. Separating the press wine by quality and aging it separately seems to have increased the precision. It has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine; it is round and nicely textured. It could be an improved version of the 2016. 151,411 bottles, 1,053 magnums and some larger formats were filled during August 2020." - Luis Gutierrez (Jul 2022)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of blackberries and crushed stones with some black licorice and violets, following through to a medium body with a solid core of fruit and such attractive fruit and fine tannins at the finish. Really attractive now." (Aug 2021)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A rainy year in Rioja and an abundant harvest. Tempranillo cherry is overlaid with fine cedar and spice, plus firm tannin, with crispness that comes bursting through. Elegant and very long, with a lighter style. With Macán Classico, winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga is working towards less extraction and in 2017 began to work with gentler pressing. Aged for 12 months in barrique, 50% new (40% French and 10% American), and 50% one year old." - Sarah Jane Evans, MW (Jun 2021)