The Oveja Tinta Graciano/Malbec 2019 and Mesta Tempranillo 2020 are two GIWC top 20 winners from Cuenca, Spain.
The Bodegas Fontana Winery produces both bottles and has been owned and operated by the Cantarero family for many decades. The modern estate was purchased by Jesus Cantarero in 1997 and is home to 400 hectares of new organically farmed plantations.
The winery is situated in Uclés DO, in the historical province of Cuenca. With an altitude that varies between 700-900 metres, the estate experiences cool nights that provide fresh acidity and a hint of spice to the grapes, and warm days that ensure lovely ripe red fruits. There is low rainfall in the region and little irrigation to respect the water reserves, which produces a low yield of high-quality grapes. The area is home to red clay loam soils that assist with a slow ripening process and flavour preservation in the summertime. The land is also sprinkled with 100-year-old oak trees and wildflowers during spring.
All winemaking at the estate is focused on balance and harmony, with the Masters of Wine wanting their bottle to reflect the great natural beauty of the landscape. Using cool fermentation processes with little extraction to do so. It is also produced with sustainable practices being organically farmed and managed as an integrated ecosystem to protect natural biodiversity.
While the Graciano’s spiritual home is in Rioja in the North of Spain, the late opening variety struggles to achieve optimum ripeness in Rioja, and has therefore found a home at Bodegas Fontana. The dry, arid climate is perfect for the unique Spanish red. There is a black sheep on the Oveja Tinta label to honour the historical importance of sheep in the region, but it might also be considered a cheeky nod to those in Roja who consider the wine to be a black sheep in the Graciano family, with so little being of it still being grown there.
The Oveja Tinta Graciano has deep, dark, inky, blue fruit and floral wine style. It goes well with rich vegetable dishes such as ratatouille but also works with beef or venison and a creamy mushroom sauce. The winning wine will continue to improve on the shelf for between 18 and 24 months.
FAST FACTS:
Winery Name: Bodegas Fontana
Location: Cuenca
Region & Country: Castile-La Mancha, Spain
Grape Variety/Varieties: Graciano & Tempranilo
'Fun Fact' about the wine/winery/winemaker? Bodegas Fontana was a founding member of the progressive Spanish Sustainability Body - Wineries for Climate Protection.
