Bodegas Rothschild & Vega Sicilia Macan Rioja 2018

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).