2023 Botijo Rojo, Bodegas Frontonio

Fresh, vibrant and irresistibly drinkable, the 2023 Botijo Rojo captures the pure, sun-kissed charm of Garnacha from Aragón. Brimming with aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, it’s lifted by notes of white pepper, thyme and a whisper of earth. The palate is silky and energetic with ripe, crunchy fruit framed by soft tannins and a cool mineral thread that keeps everything wonderfully balanced. Bright, fluid and utterly moreish, this is Garnacha stripped back to its essence: wild, honest, and full of life.

For when: dinner’s casual and laughter’s flowing.
Pairs with: charcuterie, grilled chicken, or aubergine with smoked paprika.
If this wine were a soundtrack, it’d be upbeat Spanish indie, fresh, catchy, and totally unpretentious.

Bodegas Frontonio, based in Épila in Aragón’s Valdejalón district, is one of Spain’s most exciting small wineries, the brainchild of Fernando Mora MW, Mario López, and Francisco Latasa. Their mission: to restore dignity to forgotten vineyards and prove that old-vine Garnacha can deliver finesse as well as power.

Working with ancient bush vines planted up to 700 metres above sea level on limestone and slate soils, the team farms organically and vinifies with minimal intervention,  spontaneous fermentations, gentle extraction, and ageing in concrete or large neutral oak. The Botijo Rojo, named after the traditional clay water jug used by Spanish field workers, embodies Frontonio’s philosophy perfectly: a pure, unadorned expression of Garnacha that speaks of sun, soil, and simplicity. The 2023 vintage is a joyful snapshot of their style, juicy, balanced and bursting with Mediterranean soul.