Macán Clásico, Rioja, Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia 2020

Macán is a joint venture between Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild, from the French banking and Château Lafite side of the Rothschild family. They entered into partnership with the Álvarez family of Vega Sicilia, who also own a security and services company employing about 90,000 people.

The Álvarez family acquired Vega Sicilia in the 1980s. In 2004, the partnership launched Macán, investing €23 million to build the winery, which is located near Laguardia, nestled beneath the steep slopes of the Sierra Cantabria. It is state- of-the-art, operating entirely by gravity, with no expense spared. The first vintage was produced in 2009, using a rented facility with the new winery being ready for the 2015 harvest. Macán Clásico is fermented in stainless steel, while Macán is fermented in large wooden vats, with both being matured in fine French barriques. They now manage 106 ha of vineyards spread across 176 plots, with the furthest located up to 50 kms away. Around 80% of the vines are situated near San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a village they consider very special. Although it lies north of the Ebro, it is still within Rioja Alta not Alavesa - somewhat curiously, given its geography. Prized plots include El Codo, Puertorrubio, El Bosque and Gallocanta. All the vines are at least 35 to 40 years old, and the grapes are harvested by hand. Grapes from the lower vineyards near the river typically go into Macán Clásico, while grapes from higher-altitude vineyards, which produce lower yields and have a more mineral character, are reserved for the flagship Macán wine.