Macán Clásico 2017

The second wine is the 2017 Macán Clásico, which since 2016 has been vinified in the new "cuverie" that allows for a more precise extraction for each plot fermenting in stainless steel. In 2017, they reduced the new oak to 50%, and 10% of the volume was aged in American oak barrels crafted by the Vega Sicilia coopers. They were also more selective with the press wine. The élevage lasted 12 months, and the wine was kept in bottle for no less than 18 months. They lost two-thirds of the crop due to the terrible frost, and the end of the season was warm and dry with an early harvest. They did a softer everything, and the wine has a creamy and gentle quality, ripe without excess, a little in the style of the 2015, with finer tannins, a fine thread and texture and a long, dry and supple finish. This is definitely a warmer year for Macán Clásico but a triumph over the adverse conditions of the year. 37,211 bottles, 1,057 magnums and some larger formats were produced, a much shorter crop. It was bottled in August 2019.

2017 was both hot and frost-affected - the bodega lost 70% of its production in San Vicente - but the Clásico release has turned out extremely well, thanks to careful selection. Light, elegant and floral, despite its 14.5% alcohol, with understated wood, caressing tannins and a core of sweet, slightly herbal fruit. 2021-25.

A chewy 2017 Rioja with blackberry, oyster shell and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied and tannic, but there’s a linear feel to it with fresh acidity. Give it time to soften. Try after 2021.