Bodegas Frontonio 'Botijo Rojo' Single Estate Garnacha, Valdejalón, Spain 2021

Bodegas Frontonio 'Botijo Rojo' Single Estate Garnacha, Valdejalón IGP, Aragon, Spain

El Botijo is a limited production wine, straight from a garage in Valdejalon (North-East Spain) where Master of Wine Fernando Mora and Mario Lopez make wines with the absolute minimum of fuss. The Las Cellas vineyard is owned by Mario’s family, and was sold to the local cooperative for 40 years until Mario and Fernando decided to start tinkering in their garage. It’s named after the ancient clay drinking water container – still used today – to cool water in Spain’s hot, dry climate.

Winemakers: Fernando Mora (MW) and Mario Lopez

Farming: Organic

Grape Varieties: 100% Garnacha

Terroir: Handpicked grapes from a dry farmed, certified organic vineyards with 20-50 year old vines (the vines previously used in the Vinas Viejas are now in this blend). The soils are clay and sandstone with some pebbles.

Vinification: Wild yeast primary fermentation with 10% whole cluster in stainless steel followed by malolactic in old concrete vessels. Ten months aging in underground concrete tanks.

Critical Acclaim: 90+ PTS, WA “It’s fruit-driven but with good complexity, with moderate alcohol, a mixture of red and white fruit with a touch of licorice, varietal, with a medium-bodied palate, fine tannins and a fruit-driven finish, with good tension (is it the stems?). A very good vintage (the best so far?) for this bottling.” - Luis Gutierrez