2015 Botijo Rojo Single Estate Garnacha Tinta 750 ml

Parker: “One of the Most Exciting Projects in the Whole of Aragón”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate called Botijo Rojo “a name to watch” and “one of the most exciting projects in the whole of Aragón.” The incredible value packed into the $14, 90-point 2015 Botijo Rojo Single Estate Garnacha can be explained by the garagiste ethos of proprietors Francisco Latasa, Fernando Mora, and Mario López: The vintners apply the exact same principles to Botijo Rojo as they did to their first home-vinified production of just two barrels. Harvested by hand from the Las Cellas vineyard in the sun-baked region of Aragón, the organically-grown Garnacha is fermented with native yeasts, then aged in concrete tanks and a small percentage of used oak. The result is a wine boasting tons of dark fruit, excellent concentration, and lively acidity. This is Aragón sunshine in a bottle. Claim yours by the case.

These days, critics and collectors can be a little eager to throw around the garagiste label. The term was first coined to classify the small Bordeaux winemakers who bucked the châteaux by making wine in their garages. It has now evolved into something else: a moniker for any winemaker who lavishes as much attention on his wine as he would on one precious vat, sharing space with his Citroën.

The men behind ascendant Spanish label Botijo Rojo are garagistes—not just because they have adhered to their roots by continuing to make their wines in a garage, but because of their dedication to maintaining meticulous control of their production. Fiercely committed to their region of Aragón southwest of Rioja, the team makes Botijo Rojo from organically farmed Garnacha from the Las Cellas vineyard. This parcel is owned and farmed by winemaker Mario López’s family, who sold fruit to the local co-op for four decades, until Mario began his foray into winemaking and claimed the fruit for his own.

Garnacha thrives in Aragón’s 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, and Botijo Rojo balances that sun-baked ripeness with beautiful freshness, which is enhanced by concrete-tank aging and a minimal application of oak. What makes it into the bottle is a pure expression of Aragón that boasts the same qualities as wines of twice the price.

- Wine Access Wine Team