The 2003 Elias Mora is a Toro fruit bomb aged five months in American and French oak, and bottled without filtration. A dense ruby/purple-hued, meaty, sexy Toro, it reveals notes of soy, balsam, black cherries, and currants, a plump, plush texture, superb purity, and a long, heady finish. Consume this hedonistically-styled 2003 over the next 3-4 years. Importer: Aurelio Cabestrero, Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA; tel. (703) 249-8028

Big and bulky, with balasmic aromas mixed in with notes of blueberry and boysenberry. Quite extracted and meaty, which is in the Toro mode. Black plum and cassis flavors are decent, while the finish is stocky and short, with chocolate. Not refined but definitely bold.——M.S.(2/1/2006)—— 84