Bodegas Frontonio Microcósmico Garnacha

Tasting Notes from the Curator

From the nestled vineyards of Valdejalón emerges the Bodegas Frontonio Microcósmico Garnacha, a testament to the heritage of this storied region. With its lush Garnacha grapes, this wine unfurls ardent aromas of ripe red fruits like raspberry and strawberry, interspersed with the tangy zest of blood orange. The olfactory experience deepens as wafts of white pepper intertwined with dried herbs and hints of the earth reveal themselves. The palate mirrors this bouquet, showcasing a vibrant medley of primary fruits with a standout note of pomegranate, juxtaposed with cinnamon and a peppy black pepper, delivering warmth and layered complexity. This garnet gem swirls through your mouth like a finely textured mural, disciplined by smooth yet sturdy tannins that give it a muscular but graceful presence. It’s the unvarnished articulation of Valdejalón’s unique terroir, translated through old vine sinew and climatic wisdom, making this Garnacha not only distinctive but astoundingly truthful.

Pairings & Suggestions

A wine such as Bodegas Frontonio Microcósmico Garnacha demands companions of equal gravitas to mirror its sophisticated yet bold personality:

• Grilled Meats: The charred richness and rosemary-garlic warmth of grilled lamb chops benefit immensely from the wine’s refreshing acidity and fine tannins, serving as perfect foils.
• Rich Stews: A Spanish beef stew becomes a tapestry enriched in texture and flavor when introduced to this Garnacha’s complexity and berry undertones.
• Pasta with Spicy Tomato Sauce: The wine’s citrus and peppery nuance elevates the spicy robustness of classical pasta dishes, tethering the noodles and sauce in a harmonious unity of taste.
• Grilled Vegetable Salad: Vegetarians can delight in how the wine’s vibrant fruity notes accentuate the smoky char and vegetal freshness without overshadowing the dish.
• Cheese: Soft, creamy goat cheese finds a lively counterpart in this Garnacha, its goat-milk tang brilliantly offset by the wine’s fruity brightness.

The Resilient Tale of Saint Frontonio

Bodegas Frontonio draws not only spirits but stories from the land it calls home. At its heart is the tale of Saint Frontonio, a local legend whose narrative of resilience and mystery parallels the winery’s own saga. Legend tells of Saint Frontonio, beheaded for his faith, whose head was miraculously found upstream in the Ebro River, defying the natural current, a symbol of unbeaten spirits and profound mystery. This legend permeates the ethos of Bodegas Frontonio, which itself has endeavored to swim against the current by embracing tradition in an era overly tempted by industrial vineyard practices.

Reviving old Garnacha vineyards, the winery bridges the past with the present, honoring those who walked before by using traditional winemaking techniques like grape stomping and gravity-fed processing in their 200-year-old establishment. The saint’s tale is not merely a local anecdote but a beacon guiding the winery’s philosophical journey, encouraging persistence and the celebration of authentic, untouched flavors that forever pay homage to history.

Storage Instructions

Store in a cool, dark place at a consistent temperature of 12°C-16°C, with humidity between 50%-70%. Maintain bottles horizontally to keep corks moist and preserve the wine’s integrity.