Vega Sicilia Macan (750ml)

The wine Macán came about as a result of the unique partnership between Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild.  In 2003 when Benjamin was looking to invest and produce wine in Spain and Pablo Álvarez, owner of Vega Sicilia, agreed to become a joint partner in a brand new venture, which was called BR&VS was bown in Rioja.  They purchased 80 hectares from 70 different owners for their two wines. In the classic style of Bordeaux, they make a “Grand Vin” (Macán) and a “Second Wine” (Macán Clásico).

This is not traditional Rioja, Macán and Macán Clásico are not blends of various terroirs,  rather they aim to express one particular terroir – that of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja Alta.  BR&VS does not follow the traditional style of Rioja ageing (it does it use the Crianza/Reserva/Gran Reserva scale).  Also the wines are aged in the more restrained Burgundian oak rather than the more traditional American oak.  Both wines spend 12 months in 50 percent new and 50 percent one-year-old Burgundian oak. Rather than trying to fit Macán into Rioja, winemaker Javier Ausas is looking for an individual expression, but also for Macán to fit clearly within the Vega Sicilia family of wines.