El Jardín de las Iguales 2023

El Jardín de las Iguales comes from Bodegas Frontonio, the Aragón venture founded by Fernando Mora MW and Mario López to recover old, high-altitude vineyards in Valdejalón, west of Zaragoza. The wine is built around Garnacha Tinta with a portion of Macabeo, from vines worked under sustainable, vegan practices on poor, free-draining soils. Elevation here brings cool nights and a wide diurnal range, which slows ripening and keeps acidity firm while the fruit develops, the reason Garnacha from these sites stays bright rather than jammy. Ageing runs for twelve months in large foudres, where the low ratio of oak surface to wine limits oak flavour and oxygen exchange, softening tannin and rounding the texture without adding obvious wood. The colour is medium ruby. The nose leads with wild red berries, cherry and rose, backed by thyme and a savoury, earthy edge. The palate is light to medium bodied, fresh and detailed, with fine tannin and a stony, peppery finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees in a medium bowl. It suits roast chicken, charcuterie and mushroom dishes.