Although Terry Kandylis has built his entire career in England—working at renowned establishments such as The Fat Duck and 67 Pall Mall—he is well known to Greek wine enthusiasts. In 2015, he was awarded the title of Best Greek Sommelier, and he reaffirmed this accolade the following year in the UK’s equivalent competition.
While his distinguished career has enabled extensive travel, it was the highlands of Ribera del Duero that ultimately brought him face to face with his destiny. In Canalejas de Peñafiel, he couldn’t resist the call of the region’s ancient vineyards, some of which were over 100 years old. These vines, left abandoned due to the high costs of maintenance, awaited a person who would not only rescue them but also craft from their modest harvest wines of exceptional quality and distinctive character.
The last factor, aside from the exceptional terroir provided by this historic site perched between 850 and 950 metres elevation, is attributed to the rare grape varieties cultivated within the 80 hectares of vineyards now owned by the estate.
These small plots are planted with vines aged between 80 and 100 years, predominantly featuring the classic Tempranillo among the well-known varieties. However, beyond this, one must consult the records to uncover the presence of native white varieties such as Albillo Mayor, Jaen Blanco, and Malvasia Riojana, as well as the red Bobal, which are scattered throughout Terry`s land.
The conviction that these exceptional characteristics can impart a distinctive personality to the wines often leads to the decision of co-ownership. Meanwhile, the winemaker—oenologist does not shy away from experimenting with oxidation in white wines nor from including whole grapes or even entire bunches in the fermentation tanks, following traditional Burgundy practices for red wines.
Albillo Mayor 2022 (8/10) leaves no doubt about Bendito Destino’s intentions. Hailing from ancient vines of the eponymous variety, the grapes are foot-pressed and then matured for seven months in 500-litre barrels by François Frères. While subtle, the aroma is dense and layered, offering characterful notes of dried yellow fruits and biscuit, with excellent length and a tannic, structured finish. This is a pure orange-style white that benefits from a few years’ bottle ageing to fully develop its complexity.
Clarete Rosé 2022 (8/10) redefines the concept of ‘old’ in old school. However, if your horizons extend beyond the idyllic side of rosé, this blend of at least seven varieties has plenty to offer. Crafted using a winemaking approach similar to that of white wines, this red-rosé, matured in 300-litre barrels of Hermitage, will not display the ripened red apple nor the oxidised, flabby notes often associated with less refined rosés. Instead, it bursts with flavours of sour cherry and abundant freshness, leaving its colour to serve as the only visual indication of its remarkably rich body.
Much like the rosé, the Field Blend 2022 (8.5/10) may challenge those who are fixated on the exactness of varietal composition. Comprising Tempranillo, Garnacha, Bobal, Albillo, Pirules, and Alarije, the grapes ferment together in open vats; however, each vineyard block is vinified separately to produce a larger cuvée of 3,800 bottles. Its remarkable concentration and intensity reveal notes of black fruits, floral hints, and blood, while the wine’s opulent body finishes with bold tannins and a persistent, peppery spice.
Despite its tiny plots and startlingly low yields, the presence of single vineyard wines remains unshaken in this collection. One such example is the Fuentecebolla 2021 (9/10), which comes from a mere 3.1 hectares planted in 1920. Composed of 80% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha, complemented by white grape varieties, this wine impresses with its intensely dense, expressive bouquet of ripe fruit and spices reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The same can be said for its generous palate, which is flavourful yet balanced by excellent acidity and a herbal dimension, evoking the aroma of agave cactus.
Although still in the early stages of his winemaking career, Terry Kandylis shows that his success will extend equally to both winemaking and oenology. The challenges mentioned earlier certainly justify the price range, which varies from €45 to €105. However, the wines of Bendito Destino reflect the story of ancient vineyards and rare varieties, offering high quality, good aging potential, and a distinctive character—all in a genuinely… bendito (blessed) package.
The wines of Bendito Destino are imported by Trinity Wines (22990 40630).
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