The 2009 Penelope Sanchez Tinto Joven (means Young Red wine) is 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah sourced from vineyards in the Campo de Borja region of Spain. Tinto Joven indicates this a “drink it now” wine and does not go thru much aging, no oak barrels only a short time in large open vats. This wine should sell for around $8 and received 89 points from Robert Parker. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is cherry red with black highlights. The nose is stewed prunes, fresh strawberry and a little coffee with cream. There is an interesting mix of flavors, blackberry, cappuccino, licorice that transitions to smoother jammy raspberry and bitter dark chocolate. Very light tannins, but a decent supply of acidity. The finish starts out strong but quickly dissipates.
This is a very solid 8 buck wine, well made, nice balance, nice length and interesting, bold flavors. Spain is a relative goldmine of excellent value wines, solid everyday wines that are a cut above the ordinary. Drinks very nicely on its own and would rock beef, pork or chicken cooked on the backyard grill.
