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Cream Wine Company
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Home | Producers | Vina Magana

Vina Magana

www.vinamagana.com
Diego Magana, Winemaker and Vineyard Manager (photo by Vinimenta)
Diego Magana, Winemaker and Vineyard Manager (photo by Vinimenta)


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Viņa Magaņa Information Sheet
Country of Origin: Spain
Location: Navarra
People: Juan Magana, Owner | Juan & son Diego Magana, Winemakers
Supplier: www.oleimports.com


Sometimes you just have to break the rules. Take Juan Magaña, for example. 30 years ago, he had a vision. After researching the best wines in the world, he decided that he wanted to grow Bordeaux in the Navarra region of Spain. He found a nursery that sold to St. Emilion and Pomerol, and most notably the auspicious Chateau Petrus. The nursery owner even hailed originally from Spain, and knew what climate and soil there would grow his vines best. So what was the problem? The Spanish government did not permit the planting of Bordeaux grapes in Navarra! The D.O. (Instituto Nacional de Denominaciones de Origen) mandated what it deemed the best grapes for each area, and vineyards were forced to comply. Magaña's most significant find, Petrus clone #181 class A Merlot, was not included in the government's choices. So he had to sneak the vines in. He smuggled them over the Pyrenees Mountains, managed to get them into Navarra without incident, and named the first plot after the nursery owner in France. Thus was created the first vineyard of Merlot in España. It took him seven years to plant the vines while enjoying the romantic experience of his dream coming to life. He also found, after 7 long years, that he was broke!

To make money while he was waiting to make his own wines, he sold clone #181 elsewhere, but he didn't just sell Merlot; anyone important in Spain bought their Cabernet, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc (as well as Syrah and Cabernet Franc) from Magaña's vineyards. Even today, any Merlot seen in the country is likely to have come from this original source, planted in 1975. It was not an easy journey. Juan would travel to France, buy the vines in Bordeaux, and then bring them across the Mountains. Then he would graft and grow the vines, make cuttings, and sell them to other wineries. Every time the D.O. made a visit to check on wineries, Magaña would claim all of their vines as Tempranillo to avoid questioning and stay within the law. So how did Merlot eventually become legal within the area? Years later, the D.O. came to Magaña to ask his advice! They explained that his "Tempranillo" was clearly superior to any other in the region, and, as they were looking to admit new clones, wanted him to let them in on his secret. He did. . . and the rest is history!
– Shiraz Fine Wine & Gourmet, GAJune 2007 Newsletter.
Items
Vina Magana 2005 'Dignus' Net Price Reviews —
Vina Magana 2005 Merlot Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Vina Magana 2005 'Dignus'
Rating: 89

Deep ruby. Powerful, deeply scented aromas of cherry skin, cassis, licorice and raw meat. Spicy and surprisingly lithe, displaying fresh red and dark berry flavors and a strong note of anise. The finish repeats the red fruits and leaves a tangy, spicy quality behind. This is still youthful.

- International Wine Cellar (7/1/2009)

Vina Magana 2003 'Dignus'
Rating: 90

Medium ruby-colored, it exhibits an attractive perfume of spice box, cassis, and cherry. This is followed by an elegant wine with forward, juicy red fruits, excellent balance, and the structure to evolve gracefully for several years. It is also an excellent value.

- The Wine Advocate (2/1/2007)

Vina Magana 2005 Merlot
Rating: 91

Ruby-red. Seductively perfumed bouquet of spiced cherry, plum, fresh rose and Asian spices. Weighty and sweet, with deep red and dark berry flavors framed by surprisingly nervy acidity. Gains firmness on the finish, which is impressively palate-staining and persistent.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2008)

Vina Magana 2005 Merlot
Rating: 92

The 2005 Magana merlot, a wine only in the best vintages, was aged for 18 months in 500-liter French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it offers up an aromatic array of toasty oak, smoke, mineral, violet, spice box, tar and black currant. This is followed by a full-bodied, plush, full-flavored Merlot with considerable structure, 3-5 years of aging potential, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It should hit is peak by 2012 and drink well through 2020.

- The Wine Advocate (2/1/2008)