The visitors led 14-5 at the break thanks to a penalty try and Alex Mann score and were halfway to a first Championship win at Twickenham in 12 years.
But England’s defence shut them down in the second half and two George Ford penalties either side of a Fraser Dingwall try saw the hosts battle a 16-14 success.
Wales have made a conscious decision to reduce the age of their team and introduce a plethora of young players with the aim of moulding a squad capable of competing for Grand Slams and World Cups in future years.
They have flashed plenty of promise, both in their 27-26 loss to Scotland – where they almost pulled off the mother of all comebacks from 27-0 down – and at Twickenham.
However, a lack of composure in key moments proved fatal and left Jenkins exasperated– not least the six-minute spell in the first half where England were down to 13 players yet outscored Wales 5-0.
"I don't think we can use being a young team as an excuse,” Jenkins said. “If we are here, we are good enough.
“We've created the chances but we just weren't accurate when finishing.
"We are absolutely gutted, that game was there for us to win and we didn't take it. We weren't accurate enough, I am really disappointed.
"When you come to Twickenham you know it is going to be a physical battle and you have to match them, I don't think we did that.”
Head coach Warren Gatland, while frustrated at how the second half went, was more phlegmatic.
The veteran coach, who has won this title three times, knows what it takes to create a great Wales team from scratch and is adamant they are on the right path, urging the Welsh public to stick with them.
"We are going to be a good team, it's just going to take us a little bit of time,” he said.
“Some players are learning about game management, and they learn it from experiences.
"We did some good things and things that we will tidy up going forward. It's disappointing but it's a young side that is going to continue to improve.
"I thought we showed some great character, and it was a game there for us to win and I am proud of the effort.”
Despite their losing start, Wales have seen plenty of players emerge. Flanker Tommy Reffell has been a breakdown menace, winger Rio Dyer has more than filled in for the NFL-bound Louis Rees-Zammit and Mann has two tries in two games.
Next up is a trip to defending champions Ireland, who have not lost a Championship home game in three years and started their title defence with a commanding win in France.
