At a glance

Producer

Bodegas el Candidato (Bodegas Grupo Yllera)

Region

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Grape variety

Tempranillo (majority), Garnacha (minor)

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

€4-€7/bottle retail; $6-$9 USD/bottle retail

Tasting profile

Bright red fruit (cherry, raspberry), light spice, gentle floral notes, youthful and juicy.

Evolution: Since release, tannins have softened, fruit is at peak. Some tertiary notes of dried fruit may emerge.

At peak: Wine shows best balance of fruit and freshness in 2022-2023. From 2024, likely to show signs of decline.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

Soft, low to moderate

Alcohol

Approx. 13.0% ABV

Aging potential

Short; best consumed within 3-5 years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2021 to 2023

Optimal window

2020 to 2024

Current status

Ready to drink, holding at optimal window

Current condition

Wine is at full maturity; fruit and freshness well-integrated. Not designed for long aging.

As an affordable, unoaked or lightly oaked Spanish table red, this bottling is made for early consumption and does not build significant complexity or tertiary notes with longer cellaring. Its modest structure means it peaks within 2-4 years after vintage.

Food pairing

Tapas, grilled vegetables, cured meats, pasta with tomato sauce, lighter poultry or pork dishes.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 4/10

Producer has introduced some modernizations in water and energy use, but sustainability practices are not heavily advertised or independently verified. Standard agricultural and large-scale bottling practices.

This is a mass-market wine from the Castilla-La Mancha region, produced by a large commercial house, Bodegas Grupo Yllera. There is no evidence of formal sustainability certifications or a strong focus on organic/biodynamic agriculture. Packaging and freight for export increase the carbon footprint relative to locally-sourced wines. Producer engages in standard resource management but does not stand out regionally or globally for sustainable practices.