Frontio Follaco 2024

Frontio Follaco is made by Danish winemaker Thyge Benned Jensen at Bodega Frontio in D.O. Arribes, a remote appellation along the Duero gorge on the border between Castilla y León and Portugal. The wine is a blend led by the native Juan García grape with Tempranillo and other local red varieties, farmed organically and made naturally with minimal intervention. Arribes is defined by old vines grown on granite and slate soils in a warm but sheltered microclimate carved by the river, which lend the wines their stony, savoury character and aromatic lift. Juan García is a fresh, fragrant variety that keeps the wine light on its feet. Farming is organic and the wine carries a natural certification, with low additions in the cellar. After fermentation it ages nine months in oak, used rather than new, so the wood frames the fruit and softens the tannins without dominating. It pours a bright, medium red, with red berry fruit on the nose alongside flint, a subtle smokiness and dried herbs over an earthy base. The palate is fresh and savoury, the tannins fine, the finish mineral and lightly grippy. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees with roast lamb, grilled pork or mushroom dishes.