El Cortijillo Tempranillo 2025
We have 12 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
La Mancha is one of the largest continuous vineyard areas in the world, and it is not lowland. Vinícola de Castilla sits in Manzanares, in Ciudad Real province, on the central plateau of Spain at roughly 650 meters. The climate is hard continental: long, hot, dry summers, cold winters, little rain, and wide swings between day and night. The estate's soils are sandy loam rich in limestone, which drains well and holds what little water arrives. This is dry, open country, flat to gently rolling, where vines grow under strong sun. Tempranillo from Castilla-La Mancha, known locally as Cencibel, ripens fully here every year, and the cool nights help the fruit keep enough freshness to drink well young.
The Wine
El Cortijillo Tempranillo 2025 is 100% Tempranillo from the La Mancha DO, bottled at about 13% alcohol. It is made in the young, fruit-first style Vinícola de Castilla helped bring to the region, meant for drinking within a year or two of harvest rather than for cellaring. The importer describes medium to light weight, raspberry and cherry up front, cherry through the middle, and bright acidity on the finish, closer in feel to a simple Côtes du Rhône than to an oaked Rioja. Expect the 2025 to follow that pattern: red fruit, a little spice, soft tannin, and no heavy wood. This is a straightforward red La Mancha wine at a weeknight price, and it does that job without pretending to be more.
The People
Vinícola de Castilla was founded in 1976 in Manzanares, and it is a privately owned company rather than a cooperative, a distinction that matters in a region where cooperatives make most of the wine. It grows its own vineyards, mostly bush vines and trellised rows, planted to Tempranillo, Airén, and a long list of other varieties, and runs a large, modern winery with stainless steel fermentation and storage for thousands of barrels. Its stated focus from the start was on fruit-driven young wines and varietal bottlings at a time when much of La Mancha still sold in bulk. El Cortijillo is its everyday label, imported into the US by Kysela Père et Fils.
Food Pairing
Keep the food simple and the wine will do its part. A grilled burger with Manchego and caramelized onions matches its red fruit and soft tannin. Sausage and pepper pizza works because the acidity cuts the cheese. A pot of lentils stewed with chorizo and smoked paprika is the Spanish home-cooking match. Chicken fajitas with charred peppers suit its light body. Serve it with a slight chill. The bottle to keep a few of in the rack for Monday through Thursday.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Tempranillo, Spain's most celebrated red grape, takes its name from the Spanish word "temprano," meaning "early," a reference to the variety's tendency to ripen earlier than other Spanish grapes. This versatility allows it to thrive across a range of climates and soil types. Though primarily associated with Spain, where it forms the backbone of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and other prominent regions, Tempranillo also has a significant presence in Portugal. Here, it's known under various synonyms, including Tinta Roriz, Aragonez, and Tinto Fino, playing a crucial role in the production of both red and rosé wines. Its ability to produce wines with moderate acidity, balanced tannins, and complex flavors of red fruit, leather, and tobacco make it a favorite among winemakers and wine drinkers alike.
