Elías Mora Crianza

This extraordinary red is made from grapes grown on old vines in the village of San Román de la Hornija. There, near to Villafranca de Duero, enjoying an inclement continental climate, the plants in bush form deliver Tinta de Toro at its very best. The grapes are harvested manually very early in the morning and once destalked, they ferment for about 20 days. Immediately afterwards the process of rounding off the wine takes place in large American and French oak barrels. After a brief period of reposing in bottle, the Elías Mora Crianza is released onto the market, brimming with the essence of its land of origin, bringing very much to the fore the denomination's enormous potential and that of the Tinta de Toro variety.

On uncorking the bottle, we find an immense red that's a lovely purple colour, and combines the virtues of traditional Toro DO wines with the more positive characteristics of the new Castilian reds. It has body and aromatic intensity, but freshness and acidity too; it flows and expands as it does so. On the nose, mineral and ink notes can be discerned, the well-ripened black fruit (although some red fruit too) and the fine spices arising from its oak ageing. On the palate, it's pure silk, equally delicate and intense; certainly a Toro, and among the finest. Cocoa, dried orange peel, liquorice... It begins taking its leave at a slow pace, firmly and furtively, and moves off elegantly, leaving behind it a protracted hint of ripe fruit and blue flowers.