Macán is a modern and very personal look at the high expression and premium wines of the Rioja DOCa. It is a commitment to finesse, elegance, complexity and power. It is also the flagship of Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, the project initiated by Tempos Vega Sicilia and the Compañía Vinícola Edmond de Rothschild in 2004.
2009 was the first vintage released to the market. Knowledge, effort, patience and a spirit of improvement have contributed to the growth of a project which today is based on a wine heritage of 100 hectares of high quality vineyards and on modern winemaking facilities which combine technology, tradition and innovation.
Macan is made only from Tempranillo grapes. The grapes come from a careful selection of old plots on high terraces and poor, gravelly and undeveloped clay-limestone soils. In September 2019, during the tasting, the grapes were rustic but the 80 liters of rain allowed us to polish these textures. 2019 was a year where we had to be very careful not to overripe, to look for the al dente moment of the vintage. We added to make infusions during fermentation, not to push the presses too much and to work them well and refine them before assembly. We have also reduced the impact of the barrel in favor of the tuns, all with the aim of taming the wine. Macán 2019, a full-bodied, juicy, firm, a little shy vintage, with lots of potential for evolution.
2019 VINEYARD CYCLE: 2019 was a dry year. The water deficit in May, June and July conditioned the behavior of the vineyard, accompanied by temperatures slightly above average, even in autumn and winter. In fact, it can be classified as the hottest year of the decade, with days of above-normal thermometer and a heat wave in late June and early July that left unusual temperatures above 40ºC. The entire ripening phase was conditioned by drought and the fattening of the berries was very low. However, the 80 liters of rain that fell during the first half of September made it possible to satisfy the water needs of the vines, which quickly began to enlarge the fruits.
Ultimately, the weather was good for the grapes and the harvest took place throughout the region with mild temperatures, few thermal contrasts and no fog or precipitation that could have compromised production.
PREFERENTIAL STORAGE AND CONSUMPTION: This wine can be consumed currently, but it has a cellaring potential of 15 years if stored in optimal conditions: 12-14 ºC / 54-57 ºF and 60% relative humidity.
It is recommended to consume it at 18ºC / 64ºF.
Data: Alcohol level – 14%.
Variety – Tempranillo
Average age of the vineyard – 40 years
Vineyard area – 100 ha (San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Labastida, Ábalos, Navaridas and Elvillar).
Planting frame – 3 plants/ha
Altitude – 500m
Yield – 4 kg/ha – 000 Hl/ha
Harvest – Manual harvest in 12 kg boxes from September 26 to October 9
Production: 87.339 bottles of Bordeaux, 2.583 Magnums, 112 Double Magnums, 38 Imperials and 6 Salmanazars.