Pago de Jaraba, La Mancha (Spain) 2014

 This is a relatively high-end wine from La Mancha, which hasn’t traditionally been known as a prominent source for fine wines.  Examples such as this may change that, as this shows quite open, engaging flavors, tastefully subtle oak, soft but notable tannic structure, and very good overall proportionality and balance.  The blend is 70% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot.  This blend of Spanish and French varieties works very well, showing open flavors (mostly black in fruit tone, but with a thin red streak also), fine-grained tannin, a bit of spice, and a relatively soft finish that will enable this to work well for sipping purposes while also doing well with food.