D.O. Toro, Spain. 94 PARKER. 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) from organic vineyards, both ungrafted and grafted, with sandy soils containing pebbles that promote good drainage and fruit concentration, and controlled yields that contribute intensity and depth to the wine.
Las Sabias is vinified following a minimal intervention philosophy, with long macerations in concrete and stainless steel tanks, using indigenous yeasts to preserve the varietal and terroir expression. After fermentation, the wine ages for an extended period in French and American oak barrels, which gives it structure and complexity, as well as tannic smoothness. The result is a full-bodied red wine with round, well-integrated tannins, notes of ripe black fruit, spices, cocoa, and light toasty touches, maintaining a vibrant freshness and a good balance between fruit, oak, and acidity.
In the glass, it displays a dark red color with violet hues, an intense nose dominated by aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, along with spicy notes and damp earth. On the palate, it reveals a firm and elegant structure, with a rich, enveloping mouthfeel and a long finish marked by fruit and the minerality of the soil. It is a gastronomic wine, ideal for pairing with hearty dishes such as meat stews, roast lamb, robust casseroles, or aged cheeses, and has an aging potential of 8 to 12 years due to its structural balance.
Dominio del Bendito is a winery located in Toro (Zamora, Spain), founded in 2004 by Antony Terryn, a French winemaker who, after traveling and working in various wine regions around the world, chose Toro as the ideal place to develop his own winemaking project.
Antony Terryn—the heart and soul of Dominio del Bendito—arrived in Toro in 2003 determined to find a terroir that would allow him to express authentic, personal wines true to their origin. After collaborating with wineries in France, Portugal, Chile, South Africa, and the United States, he purchased small plots in historic vineyards in Toro, such as La Jara, many of them with old vines planted on their own rootstock (ungrafted), characteristics he sought for their ability to produce wines with greater tension, energy, and connection to the land.
From the beginning, Dominio del Bendito's philosophy has been to work with sustainable agriculture and organic practices, maintaining moderate yields and hand-harvesting to preserve the integrity of the grapes. In the winery, minimal intervention is key, with careful fermentations, barrel aging when necessary, and vinification that allows the character of the Tinta de Toro grape and the Toro terroir to express themselves naturally.
Today, the estate boasts approximately 32–40 hectares of its own vineyards, under direct management. Many of these vineyards feature old vines over 90 years old, both ungrafted and grafted, growing in sandy soils with pebbles that promote good drainage and sustained ripening. In addition to El Primer Paso, the winery produces other wines that explore different facets of the Toro terroir, including longer-aged red wines (Las Sabias, La Cuesta de las Musas, Titán del Bendito), as well as white (Mi Verdadejo), rosé, and sweet wines.
Terryn and his team's vision has been to offer wines with their own character, evocative of the place and the work in the vineyard, seeking a balance between fruit, structure and natural expression, without losing sight of the stylistic identity of Toro.
