Torre de la Barreda – 2009

Spanish wine from the province of Castilla-La Mancha, falling within the VdT de Castilla category: Vino de la Tierra, that is, “country wine” – not necessarily low quality, but not conforming to stricter DO (Denominación de Origen) requirements.

This wine may be made from Tempranillo (or Cencibel under its local name), but it is utterly unlike Rioja. That may partly reflect the flat, relatively arid conditions extant on the Castilian plain where it is made, but many wines from the area are made much more in line with the traditional Tempranillo profile, so winemaking must be playing a large role here. I find this dark wine immediately reminds me more of Shiraz or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with sweet, almost raisined black fruit, tar, tinned prunes, liquorice and a peppery finish.

Keenly priced; good structure in a wine that should age well.

87/100