Bodegas Frontonio, Valdejalon, El Jardin de Las Iguales Tinto 2020 - 300cl
Fernando Mora, one of the few Masters of Wine making wine in Spain, built El Jardín de las Iguales from vineyards most growers had given up on — old bush-vine Garnacha on slate and quartz at altitude in Valdejalón, west of Zaragoza. This is his flagship. At three litres, it's a bottle for a birthday, a wedding, a room full of people who'll remember it.
The 2020 is a shade richer than the vintages either side of it, but it keeps Frontonio's signature poise. Wild strawberry and darker red cherry, dried thyme and rosemary from the hillside, cracked pepper and a stony, mineral core. Fine tannin, bright acidity, and a long, savoury finish. A big-format bottle like this ages slowly and gracefully — there's no rush.
How to Serve
Serve at 15–17°C. Decant well ahead, ideally 90 minutes for a bottle this size, and pour into large glasses.
Where to Drink It
Brat (Shoreditch) for fire-cooked everything. Planque in Haggerston for the sommelier crowd. Or Sabor for serious Spanish cooking.
Food Pairings
Roast shoulder of lamb for a crowd is exactly right — the herbs in the glass meet the herbs on the plate. Anything from the grill with a good char will do the wine proud.
