Bodegas Piqueras, Almansa (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) 2017

 This is a blend of 50% Monastrell, 30% Garnacha Tintorera and 20% Tempranillo.  Vinification is conducted separately for the three varieties, which are then blended before undergoing 12 months of aging in fine-grained, medium-toasted, 300 liter American oak barrels.  There’s a bigger price jump from the Crianza to this wine than from the Roble to the Crianza, based on what I see the wines being offered at price-wise by retailers around the world, but this is easily the best of the three wines, and if my score is off, I’m probably low by a point.  The fruit and wood are more differentiated and distinct in how they present themselves, and yet still very well integrated.  Although there’s more richness and structure in this offering, the richness offsets the wood and tannin very nicely, and there’s nothing blunt or tough about the wine’s finish.  I doubt that this will improve with further aging, but it shows no signs of drying out, so snag this for a delicious drink at a bargain price if you encounter it.