Macán Clásico 2019

Macán comes from a rockstar collaboration between the renowned Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild estates.

The joint venture was christened "BR&VS" and the two partners chose Rioja to be its home, as both recognised the region's great (still largely untapped) potential. In saying that, they're also breaking all of the Riojan rules.

BR&VS is not following the traditional style of ageing, for example, by preferring the more elegant Burgundian oak rather than American. The wines also disregard Rioja's Joven > Crianza > Reserva > Gran Reserva scale. Instead, in the style of Bordeaux, there is a “Grand Vin” (Macán) and a “Second Wine” (Macán Clásico). The Clásico is approachable earlier than Macán, though still a serious and age-worthy wine in its own right.

The warmth of the 2019 vintage is clear to see from the ripe red and black fruit flavours. Designed for earlier drinking than Macán, the Clásico is all ripe red cherries on the nose, which gives way to blackberry, warm winter spice and dark chocolate. The tannins are silky smooth yet defined.

This is gorgeous Tempranillo that is drinking beautifully now with a good decant. It's also a great contender for some light cellaring (around four years), where extra time in the bottle will settle it down.

As with most Tempranillos, this is such a great food pairing wine. It will work just as well with a steak as a poultry dish. In-venue, we'd recommend it with our pork ravioli, wagyu skirt steak and/or charred broccolini.