PRACTICING ORGANIC FARMING
Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Peluda & Mazuelo (aka Carignan)
Bodegas Frontonio is the personal project of young gun Fernando Mora MW, hailing from the Valdejalón appellation (technically an IGP, not a DO) of Aragón. These scintillating wines are some of the very best being made today east of Rioja and west of Conca, and they're already garnering effusive praise from both Luis Gutiérrez and Jancis Robinson. Best of all, prices are very fair for the high quality-and the quality begins in the vineyard: Mora and his team own fifty hectares of beautiful old bushvines in rocky clay-limestone selected for high altitude and north-facing exposition to emphasize freshness. And although this is Garnacha country (Aragón, in fact, is thought to be the birthplace of Garnacha), the whites are every bit as fascinating and delicious as the red.
VINOUS 94+ POINTS - "The 2021 Telescópico Garnacha · Garnacha Peluda · Mazuela was produced with grapes from old vines in conversion to organic farming in the villages of Alpartir and Morata on limestone and slate soils. It fermented separately, with 80% full clusters (on average, the Cariñena is destemmed and has a softer vinification) in open-top vats with indigenous yeasts and foot treading and a 40-day maceration, then matured in 500-liter barrels and 2,500- and 3,000-liter foudres for four months. It has moderate ripeness and alcohol (13.5%) coupled with very good freshness and acidity. 2021 had a longer cycle, and the grapes developed more aromas and nuances. It is elegant and floral, with more flavors, and the wine is tastier and more umami, with abundant, finer tannins. This is a more serious wine, with citrus freshness. Superb. 21,216 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2023."
Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Peluda & Mazuelo (aka Carignan)
Bodegas Frontonio is the personal project of young gun Fernando Mora MW, hailing from the Valdejalón appellation (technically an IGP, not a DO) of Aragón. These scintillating wines are some of the very best being made today east of Rioja and west of Conca, and they're already garnering effusive praise from both Luis Gutiérrez and Jancis Robinson. Best of all, prices are very fair for the high quality-and the quality begins in the vineyard: Mora and his team own fifty hectares of beautiful old bushvines in rocky clay-limestone selected for high altitude and north-facing exposition to emphasize freshness. And although this is Garnacha country (Aragón, in fact, is thought to be the birthplace of Garnacha), the whites are every bit as fascinating and delicious as the red.
VINOUS 94+ POINTS - "The 2021 Telescópico Garnacha · Garnacha Peluda · Mazuela was produced with grapes from old vines in conversion to organic farming in the villages of Alpartir and Morata on limestone and slate soils. It fermented separately, with 80% full clusters (on average, the Cariñena is destemmed and has a softer vinification) in open-top vats with indigenous yeasts and foot treading and a 40-day maceration, then matured in 500-liter barrels and 2,500- and 3,000-liter foudres for four months. It has moderate ripeness and alcohol (13.5%) coupled with very good freshness and acidity. 2021 had a longer cycle, and the grapes developed more aromas and nuances. It is elegant and floral, with more flavors, and the wine is tastier and more umami, with abundant, finer tannins. This is a more serious wine, with citrus freshness. Superb. 21,216 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2023."
