A full-bodied, juicy, firm and brooding vintage with great potential to develop.
Macán is a modern and very personal take on the signature wines of the Rioja DOCa region. It is a commitment to finesse, elegance, complexity, and intensity. It is also the standard bearer for Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, the project launched by Tempos Vega Sicilia and Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 2004. The 2009 vintage was the first to launch to market. Knowledge, effort, patience, and a desire for constant improvement have helped to develop a project that currently resides on a 100-hectare estate on a high slope at the foot of the imposing Sierra de Cantabria, containing high-quality vineyards and cutting-edge production facilities. Macán is made purely from Tempranillo grapes, which come from a meticulous selection of mature plots found on high terraces with poor, gravelly calcareous clay soils. The grapes exhibited a rustic quality during the September 2019 tasting, but the 80mm of rain played a crucial role in refining their texture. Careful attention was essential to prevent overripeness, ensuring the fruit was harvested at the optimal “al dente” moment. To temper the wine, the use of barriques was reduced in favour of foudres. The Vintage In 2019, it was a dry year, with minimal rainfall in May, June, and July, impacting vineyards amid slightly above-average temperatures extending into autumn and winter. It was the warmest year of the decade, featuring a heatwave in late June and early July with temperatures surpassing 40ºC. The ripening period faced drought challenges, but 80mm of September rain quenched the vines’ thirst, prompting rapid fruit swelling. Fortunately, the harvest across the region enjoyed favourable conditions—mild temperatures, minimal fluctuations, and no fog or rain—ensuring a successful yield.
