Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia Macan Clasico 2018 (750ML)

94 JS / 94 WA / 92 DE

Aromas of blackberries and crushed stones with some black licorice and violets, following through to a medium body with a solid core of fruit and such attractive fruit and fine tannins at the finish. Really attractive now. -James Suckling

Their second wine in the Bordeaux sense is the 2018 Macán Clásico, which in the cooler and late year (they picked between October 2nd and 14th) fermented in stainless steel and matured in 50% new French oak barrels, 10% American oak barrels and 40% used ones for 12 months. The wine has moderate ripeness and alcohol (14%) in a fresher, subtler and more elegant year with good freshness (a pH of 3.75) and balance. It's young and creamy, a baby that will improve as it burns down that fat. Separating the press wine by quality and aging it separately seems to have increased the precision. It has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine; it is round and nicely textured. It could be an improved version of the 2016. 151,411 bottles, 1,053 magnums and some larger formats were filled during August 2020.-Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate

A rainy year in Rioja and an abundant harvest. Tempranillo cherry is overlaid with fine cedar and spice, plus firm tannin, with crispness that comes bursting through. Elegant and very long, with a lighter style. With Macán Classico, winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga is working towards less extraction and in 2017 began to work with gentler pressing. Aged for 12 months in barrique, 50% new (40% French and 10% American), and 50% one year old.-Sara Jane Evans MW, Decanter