Viñas Elías Mora 2023

Viñas Elías Mora is produced by Bodegas Elías Mora in San Román de Hornija, within D.O. Toro. The winery was founded in 2000 by Victoria Benavides and Victoria Pariente, two figures well known in Spanish wine, with Victoria Benavides now at the helm. The vineyards sit between the Duero and the Hornija rivers, on the high, dry Toro plateau where sandy soils, low rainfall and a wide day-to-night temperature range produce small, thick-skinned berries of Tinta de Toro, the local strain of Tempranillo. Those thick skins give the deep colour and firm tannin that mark the appellation. This is the winery's young, fruit-forward bottling, aged for six months in American oak, enough to round the tannins and add a touch of vanilla and sweet spice while keeping the fresh fruit in the foreground. The wine is intense and deeply coloured, with aromas of blackberry, plum and violet over delicate oak spice. The palate is full and bold, with ripe dark fruit, firm structure and a savoury, lightly peppery finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees; it is a natural partner for grilled and roasted red meat.