El Botijo is a limited production, micro wine straight from a garage in Valdejalon (North East Spain) where Fernando Mora and Mario López make wines with the absolute minimum of fuss. It’s named after the ancient clay drinking water container -still used by growers to day- cooling water in Spain’s hot, dry climate.  Handpicked grapes from a dry farmed, certified organic vineyards with 20-50 year old vines (the vines previously used in the Vinas Viejas are now in this blend). The soils are clay and sandstone with some pebbles. Wild yeast primary fermentation with 10% whole cluster in stainless steel followed by malolactic in old concrete vessels. Ten months aging in underground concrete tanks.

 91 Wine Advocate

WINE NOTES:

“The pure Garnacha 2020 Botijo Rojo Garnacha was produced with grapes from dry-farmed and head-pruned vines in the village of Épila at 450 meters in altitude. The grapes were picked at 13.5% alcohol and fermented and matured in concrete with some 10% full clusters to produce a wine that is juicy, varietal and easy to drink. All these wines have a low pH (3.27 in this case) and are fresh and balanced. It’s young and primary, with fruit-forward aromas and flavors but with depth and very good balance and freshness. Elegant and quite surprising for an entry level.” - Luis Gutierrez