Envínate Benje 2024

Benje is the Tenerife red from Envinate, the project run by four winemakers across Ribera Sacra, the Canaries and Extremadura. It comes from Santiago del Teide on the volcanic northern slopes of the island, within D.O. Ycoden-Daute-Isora, from the local Listan Negro grape. The vines grow on dark, free-draining volcanic soils high above the Atlantic, where the altitude and ocean influence keep the climate cool and the nights cold, holding the wine to a fresh 12.5% alcohol. That volcanic terroir gives the wine its smoky, mineral and faintly saline character. Farming is respectful, and the wine sees only eight months in French oak, used to round the texture rather than to flavour, so the fruit and the soil come through clearly. The colour is bright, light ruby. The nose shows fresh red cherry and raspberry, smoke, black pepper, wild herbs and a salty mineral note. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and fresh, with fine tannin, lively acidity and a savoury, stony finish. Serve at 14 to 15C, lightly chilled, with grilled pork, roast chicken or oily fish.