Macan Rioja 2020

Macan Rioja 2020 is a 100% Tempranillo red wine from DOCa Rioja, Spain, bottled at 14% ABV in a 750ml format. A collaboration between two of Europe's most storied wine dynasties — Tempos Vega Sicilia and Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild — the 2020 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling, who called it "really elegant and long."

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Rioja Alta, DOCa Rioja, Spain  |  100% Tempranillo  |  Producer: Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia was founded as a joint venture between Spain's legendary Tempos Vega Sicilia and France's Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Rather than following traditional Rioja blending conventions, Macán is designed to express a single terroir — the vineyards of San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja Alta. The 2020 undergoes fermentation in French oak vats for 10 to 15 days, followed by 16 months of aging split between large French oak foudres (one-third) and smaller French oak barrels (two-thirds), then a further 28 months of bottle aging before release. The use of 20,000-litre foudres for a portion of the aging allows the final blend to integrate with exceptional precision.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep and intense on the nose, opening with concentrated black fruit — dark cherry and damson — before revealing layers of cocoa, cedar, and warm baking spice. Clove and nutmeg emerge as the wine breathes, underpinned by a subtle hint of black olive.

Taste: The entry is smooth and silky, with ripe black fruit carrying the mid-palate. Chalky, finely grained tannins provide structure without heaviness, while spicy complexity from the French oak aging adds depth. The overall impression is one of elegant balance, serious concentration, and notable precision.

Finish: Long and refined, with lingering notes of dark fruit, cedar, and a faint mintiness. The tannins remain present but polished through the close, suggesting strong cellar potential over the next several years.

How to Drink Macán

This wine is best served at cellar temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), in a large-bowled glass to allow its complex aromatics to develop. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes will help soften the tannins and open the bouquet. While Macán is primarily a wine for drinking on its own terms — neat, alongside a meal — its structure and fruit concentration also make it a compelling base for wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo variation using a small measure of cola and citrus to highlight the dark fruit (though purists will rightly protest); a Tempranillo Sangria with orange, cinnamon, and brandy that echoes the wine's own spice profile; or a Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel for a lighter warm-weather serve.

Best For

• Gifting a serious wine collector who appreciates Spanish fine wine
• Anchoring a tasting focused on modern Rioja versus traditional styles
• Pairing with a special dinner featuring roasted lamb or aged cheeses
• Cellaring for up to 15 years as part of a long-term wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Macán taste like? Macán 2020 leads with concentrated black fruit — dark cherry and damson — layered with cocoa, cedar, and warm baking spice. The palate is silky and precise, with chalky tannins and a long, elegant finish.

How does Macán compare to Vega Sicilia Unico? Both wines come from the Tempos Vega Sicilia family, but Unico is produced in Ribera del Duero and aged for roughly a decade before release, resulting in a more complex, tertiary profile. Macán is a pure expression of Rioja Alta Tempranillo with a shorter but still substantial aging regime, making it more approachable in its youth while still sharing the Vega Sicilia hallmark of structural precision.

Is Macán good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its silky tannins, layered fruit, and spice complexity make it an ideal wine for contemplative drinking, especially with 30 to 60 minutes of decanting. James Suckling noted the 2020 is "drinkable now, but will develop well in the next six to seven years."

Where is Macán made? Macán is produced at Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, located in San Vicente de la Sonsierra within the Rioja Alta sub-region of DOCa Rioja, Spain. The vineyards are at elevation in one of Rioja's most prized zones for Tempranillo.

What foods pair well with Macán? Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, which mirrors the wine's depth and spice; aged Manchego or Idiazábal cheese, whose nutty intensity complements the oak character; grilled Ibérico pork, whose richness stands up to the wine's tannins; wild mushroom risotto, which echoes the earthy undertones; and dark chocolate desserts, which harmonize with the cocoa and black fruit notes.

What sizes does Macán come in? Macán Rioja 2020 is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Macán worth the price? Macán positions as a premium expression within the Rioja category, priced above most Reserva and Gran Reserva bottlings but reflecting the pedigree of a Vega Sicilia and Rothschild collaboration. Its 93-point James Suckling score, extended aging regime, and cellar-worthy structure place it firmly among the region's top-tier wines.

Why Macán?

The 2020 vintage represents the culmination of an approach that deliberately breaks from traditional Rioja conventions — no blending of disparate terroirs, no American oak, no Garnacha or Graciano in the blend. Instead, it channels 100% Tempranillo from a single, elevated site in San Vicente de la Sonsierra through French oak foudres and barrels, resulting in a wine that has more in common structurally with fine Bordeaux than with classic Rioja. The partnership between Tempos Vega Sicilia and Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild brings decades of winemaking authority from both Spain and France to bear on every vintage. With 93 points from James Suckling and significant aging potential, Macán 2020 stands as one of the most distinctive and serious modern Riojas available.