Macan Clasico 2022

Macán Clásico is the purest, freshest and most direct expression of the terroir of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, created under the historic partnership between two giants of the wine world: Tempos Vega Sicilia and Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

This prestigious red wine is produced exclusively from Tempranillo grapes, sourced from a carefully selected group of vineyard parcels with an average vine age of 30 years, located on the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria, in renowned villages such as San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Labastida, Ábalos and Elvillar. The clay-limestone soils, with their calcareous profile, provide exceptional finesse and minerality that define the personality of this wine. The philosophy behind Macán Clásico follows the Bordeaux tradition of producing a first wine and a second wine. Both Macán and Macán Clásico are cultivated, vinified and aged with the same meticulous care, from the vineyard through to the winery.

Following a meticulous hand harvest, fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts to preserve the authenticity of the terroir. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation (in both barrels and tanks) before ageing for 15 months in fine and extra-fine grain French oak barrels (both new and one-year-old), followed by extended bottle ageing prior to release.

The result is a wine of sublime elegance, distinguished by its fruit purity, freshness and finesse. Macán Clásico is a contemporary Rioja that respects tradition while offering a modern interpretation, where the oak integrates perfectly with vibrant, ripe red fruit. It is an ideal wine for immediate enjoyment as well as for long-term cellaring, where it will continue to develop greater complexity and nuance.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep cherry-red colour with medium-high intensity, clean and bright, with subtle garnet reflections around the rim.

Nose: Complex and expressive, displaying aromas of ripe red fruit (cherries and raspberries) intertwined with spicy notes of vanilla, black pepper, mineral nuances and a background of beautifully integrated noble oak.

Palate: Broad, juicy and rounded. Vibrant acidity brings freshness, while fine, polished tannins glide smoothly across the palate. Long, persistent and elegant finish with lingering fruity and balsamic notes.

Key Highlights

Legendary Partnership: A joint venture between Tempos Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild in D.O.Ca. Rioja.

Exceptional Terroir: Vineyards over 30 years old on the clay-limestone foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria.

Precision Ageing: Aged for 15 months in fine and extra-fine grain French oak barrels.

Bordeaux Style: Produced following the concept of a "second wine", prioritising freshness, fruit expression and elegance.

Serving Recommendations

Recommended serving temperature: 16–18°C.

It is recommended to decant the wine or open the bottle at least 30–45 minutes before serving to allow it to breathe and reveal its full aromatic complexity. Ideal pairing with grilled red meats, traditional Castilian roasts, small game, Iberian acorn-fed cured meats and aged sheep's milk cheeses.