Tasting Notes
Terry made this Albillo with Assyrtiko in mind, and you can taste that influence in the way it handles a hot, dry vintage with real poise. It's had a serious stint in wood, two and a half years in a single 228L François Frères barrel, which gives it plenty of depth and texture. The name tips its hat to El Greco the painter, which feels about right for a wine with this much character. There is a waxiness and power to this wine that needs time to fully unfurl as it's very tight on opening. After a few hours you begin to see the layers open up as the wine becomes more expressive. One for the cellar. - Pete L
Bendito Destino is the project of sommelier Terry Kandylis, established in 2020 after he discovered a collection of abandoned old vineyards around Canalejas de Peñafiel in Ribera del Duero. The vineyards sit at up to 925 metres and are predominantly 80–100+ year-old bush vines, with Tempranillo, Garnacha and Bobal interplanted with white varieties including Albillo Mayor, Jaén Blanco and Malvasía Riojana. Rather than imposing the powerful, heavily extracted style often associated with Ribera, Terry takes inspiration from Burgundy, farming organically and using spontaneous fermentation, whole bunches, gentle extraction and larger-format oak. Many of the wines are traditional field blends, with the varieties harvested and fermented together as they grow in the vineyard. It’s an exciting, distinctly modern project built around preserving some remarkable old vineyards and allowing their individual character to come through.
| Product Type | Wine White Other Varietals & Blends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Ribera del Duero |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |