Tasting: El Pensador ("The Thinker") Tempranillo. (A Syrah Wine)

 

El Pensador Tempranillo

-Grapes: Tempranillo

-Country: Spain

-Region: Campo De Borja, Aragon

-Vintage: 2019

-Price: $8

-Critic Review: "A bright ruby color with some slight staining of the glass, this Tempranillo offers juicy red plum and ripe cranberry with a pink peppercorn and slight Sichuan spiciness. The finish has a slight, drying tannin that would make it pair well with slow roasted pork. (89/100)"

-Wine Folly Tasting Notes: "The Primary Aromas are in the Black Fruit category (in my opinion) and the critic review would be in the Red Fruit category (pg.30). Syrah is a rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhone Valley of France. Darker meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of Syrah. Try it with lamb shawarma, gyros, Asian five-spice pork, and Indian tandoori. Notes of blueberry, plum, milk chocolate, tobacco, and green peppercorn (pg. 172)."  

-My Review: The color is similar to a Deep Purple in Wine Folly. The primary aromas that I get are blackberry and spice (perhaps pepper or peppercorn), and a hint of strawberry. It also smells acidic. Upon tasting the wine, the primary flavor is the spices. There are also notes of blackberry and even blueberry. I did not taste strawberry or cherry. It has medium acidity, a short to medium finish, and is not overly bitter. This is the first non-sweet wine that I would personally say is very "drinkable". I drank this Syrah with chicken and spaghetti with red sauce.   

Critical Reviews:

https://www.ultimate-beverage.com/ultimate-wine-challenge-UWC/2019-wine-results/El-Pensador-Tempranillo-2018-Campo-de-Borja/