Mary Taylor Manchuela (Rus Jimenez)

Mary Taylor "Rus Jimenez" Manchuela is a fascinating and highly specific red wine from the Manchuela DO in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. Part of Mary Taylor’s "White Label" series, it spotlights the rare, indigenous Moravia Agria grape. Critics often compare this wine to high-altitude mountain reds or even wines from the Canary Islands due to its unique "volcanic" or stony feel. The wine offers deep and complex aromas of cassis, dark berries, and tree bark. It has savory undertones of coffee bean, smoky earth, and sweet botanicals. Full-bodied but incredibly fresh, it features tangy acidity (the hallmark of the variety) and moderate, grippy tannins. Expect flavors of bitter cherry and ripe dark fruit. Because of its unique "agria" (acidic) profile and savory depth, this wine is excellent with rich or fatty foods such as chorizo, hearty bean stews, and aged manchego cheese.