Bendito Destino Clarete 2023

While visiting Castilla y León in 2020, sommelier Terry Kandylis spotted several abandoned plots of centennial bush vines around the village of Canalejas de Peñafiel. Within weeks he had established Bendito Destino ('Blessed Destiny') and set about restoring 4ha of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Albillo vines using dry farming and organics. He immediately turned heads with an impressive first vintage.

The 2023 Clarete is a blend of seven local grape varieties, predominantly Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo) foot-stomped and fermented in old 300-litre Hermitage barrels, with only 1750 bottles produced.