Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia "Macan Clasico" Rioja DOCa 2022
(Rioja, Spain) - [WA 94] [WS 93] [JS 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.

This wine is ready to drink now but can be cellared for over 15 years if stored in optimal conditions of temperature (12ºC–14ºC / 54ºF–57ºF) and relative humidity (60%).

Best served at 18ºC / 64ºF. PER 100 ML 349 KJ / 83 KCAL

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME - 14%.

GRAPE VARIETY - 99% Tempranillo and 1% Garnacha.

AGEING - 10 months in barrels and 18 months in bottle.

AVERAGE AGE OF THE VINEYARD - 30 years.

VINEYARD SURFACE - 100ha in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Labastida, Ábalos and Navaridas. 

HARVEST - Manual, in 12kg boxes, from 11 to 23 September.

PRODUCTION - 236,067 Bottles 75cl, 2,110 Magnum, 59 Double Magnum and 20 Imperial.

BOTTLING DATE - June 2024

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

"They had to fine-tune the harvest dates of the grapes used for the 2022 Macán Clásico, prioritizing freshness over density, which resulted in their earliest harvest in the region, starting on September 11th, 10 days earlier than in 2021. They were also careful with the aging in oak to achieve good integration of the wood with the wine, a wine that is juicier and rounder, a more hedonistic vintage. It has maybe 1% Garnacha, up to 6% in some lots, picked quite early, or "very green," according to winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga. The wine has contained ripeness and 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.78 and 4.75 grams of acidity. This is the first year when 100% of the yeasts were wild, and they aged the wine in barrels, only 5% American and 30% used, for 10 months, and 25% in stainless steel. The wine shows the warmth and ripeness of the year, especially when compared with the 2021 Macán I tasted next to it, but the results are much better than expected, the nose is harmonious, the palate balanced and the tannins very fine. Overall, it's a triumph over the adverse conditions of the year. A total of 236,067 bottles, 2,110 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in June 2024." LG (Jan 2026)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A poised, well-tailored red, this is subtle at first, leading with a pure beam of ripe boysenberry and cherry fruit accented by sweet tobacco and blood orange peel aromatics. Mouthwatering acidity and supple, sculpted tannins support the profile as this expands on the palate, revealing layers of milled white pepper, violet, anise and mineral notes that linger on the finish. Best from 2028 through 2040. 500 cases imported." - Alison Napjus (Jun 2026)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Structured with fresh blackberries and dark spices. Medium- to full-bodied with some chewy tannins that turn a bit tight-grained in the medium-long finish. Hold to let the tannins soften. Drink from 2027." - (Oct 2025)