2002 El Paseo Tempranillo

[quijote]

This wine offers nice aromas of cherries and strawberries, and cherries with a very slight rancio quality come through on the palate. The mouthfeel is very light and slightly tannic, and there's a good presence of acidity. This is a better food wine than a quaffer; on its own it tastes rather one-dimensional. The front label touts the varietal (Tempranillo), but the back label explains that the wine is produced in the Valencia region, just off the Mediterranean coast. Paired with a small pizza topped with roasted chicken, pine nuts, parmesan, rosemary, and tomato sauce. I've had better Spanish wines for the price. 13.5% Alc., $8 (Downer Wines and Spirits)