Vega Sicilia Macan (750ml)
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Wine Type
Red Wine
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Size
750ml
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Vintage
2017
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Country
Spain
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Region
Rioja
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Sub-Region
Rioja Alta
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Grape
Tempranillo
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Farming Method
ConventionalMost products with this label come from producers who do their best to avoid any intervention at all but it’s possible that some of the aforementioned preventative measures and additions are deemed necessary. Learn More
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ABV
14.5%
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Food Pairing
BeefGameLamb
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.
Tasting Notes
Method
2017 was a very challenging year and most of their vineyards in San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja were affected by frost and then hail later in the season. 70% of the crop in Rioja that year was lost—but what remained was well cared for, carefully selected for quality. Despite the terrible frost and crop less the end of the season was warm and dry with an early harvest. Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grapes were fermented in stainless steel, plot by plot. 50% of the wine aged in new oak barrels and 10% of the volume was aged in American oak barrels crafted by the Vega Sicilia coopers. The élevage lasted 12 months, and the wine was kept in bottle for no less than 18 months; bottled in September 2019.
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