Candidato Tempranillo 2006

This has to be the deal of the year and our latest shipment has just arrived! Made by the Martinez Bujanda family with a historic pedigree dating back to 1889 in Rioja, this though is made from the upcoming region of La Mancha in Central Spain. La Mancha is a high altitude area with a climate of extremes, the poor soils and sometimes arid conditions are indeed very well suited to Tempranillo that has been growing here for centuries even though under a different name. Candidato is fantastic, modern yet displaying terrific terroir, unmistakeably Tempranillo with its leather and tobacco flavours yet because of the vineyards altitude, it also displays great minerality. As we said, at the price we don't think that there is anything out there that even compares. Ideal with sausages, chorizo and of course queso manchengo (aged cheese from La Mancha). Drink now or cellar for 3-4 years.