Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia "Macan" Rioja DOCa 2021
(Rioja, Spain) - [JS 96] [WA 95]

Notes from the Winemaker:
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

96 Points – James Suckling:
"A depth of fresh dark berries and black plums is adorned with complex graphite, balsam, fine spices and cocoa powder with hints of bay leaves and minerals. Tannins are tense, nervy and chalky. Long and tightly wound but well-dissolved. One of the best examples of Macan. An exciting vintage. Drink from 2026 and beyond." (Jul 2025)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Macán is from a year that had above-average rainfall and some hail in June that lowered yields but good weather during harvest. It has 1% Graciano. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.8 and five grams of acidity. This year, they used 100% indigenous yeasts, and the élevage was in new barrels (50%) and 4,000-liter oak foudres and lasted 12 months, followed by another six months in 20,000-liter oak vats. This is serious, harmonious and subtle, more elegant than any vintage before, reflecting the freshness from the year. It's nicely built, very proportioned, with balance, freshness and abundant but fine-grained tannins. It's one of the finest if not the finest vintages to date. A total of 112,755 bottles, 3,354 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in August 2023." – Luis Gutierrez (Jan 2026)