Only a few bottles of this graceful beauty have made it to the UK and we put our hands up for as much as we could have. As much as we could have turned out to be 48 bottles, so it's not going to stretch very far, but this is one of the finest reds we have tasted from Tenerife. It's incredibly fine, with a real sense of the rocky, volcanic, Atlantic soil, but not in such a way that it smothers the fruit, which is bright and succulent. It's a blend of 98% Listan Prieto and 2% Tintilla from 70 to 120 year-old vines sitting at 1,100 metres altitude on the cliffs of northwestern Tenerife and it has a wonderful freshness and purity and, despite being light-bodied, a fascinating scope of flavours both fruity and mineral. It should appeal to anyone who loves Loire reds, cool climate Pinot Noir, Etna Rosso... that kind of thing. Pale and haunting and very evocative. 12.5% alc. Drink now-2024.

Organic farming
Vegan-friendly

Press review:

The Wine Advocate: “I also tasted the red varietal Listán Prieto (a.k.a. País, Criolla Chica, Mission) 2020 Benje Tinto from a similarly dry and warm vintage as 2019, vinified and aged in the same way with indigenous yeasts and matured in neutral oak barrels for eight months. It feels a little closed (reductive?) but with a great palate. It feels like these 2020s have very fine tannins and velvety textures. Give it a little bit of time, but this will be as good as the 2019. Drink now-2026.” 94 points

Customer comments:

“A delicious wine, fresh, yet seductive and compelling, with an intriguing peppery note on the finish.” - Mr M.C.

“Just opened a bottle of the Benje. What a good value wine this is. And the nose reminds me a bit of that Nanticchia Nerello you set me onto. Perhaps not as pungent, but it puts me into that ancient rose garden again. Lovely stuff.” - Mr I.N.