One of the famed names in the Napa Valley, Tor Kenward spent 26 years building Beringer Vineyards. As their vice president he was instrumental in helping create that brand into national prominence before retiring in 2001. For years the Beringer Reserve wines were truly some of the finest in Napa and Tor played a major role in that project. Beringer actually paid for Tor to study viticulture and enology following his retirement, as Tor built his brand as an ultra-premium producer single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, sourcing from the top blocks within premium sites throughout Napa Valley. The current TOR lineup sources from esteemed sites such as Beckstoffer To Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch and Tierra Roja in Oakville, and Melanson on Pritchard Hill.
I have loved these wines for many years. These 2019 wines are amongst the finest that I have tasted. Do not miss on the 2020 TOR ‘Cuvee Torchiana’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) is which is weightless and seamless — utterly silky Chardonnay. Even better is the sinfully good 2018 TOR ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is nothing short of perfection in a bottle. Do not miss out on this beauty for the cellar as this is a must-purchase for any serious collector of Napa Cabernet. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://torwines.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by TOR.
2020 TOR ‘Cuvee Torchiana’ Chardonnay- The 2020 TOR ‘Cuvee Torchiana’ Chardonnay shows off its golden hue. The texture is really the speaking point here, as is the insanely good range of flavors from pineapple and papaya with baking spice dusted brioche. This is big and opulent but shows a great acid backbone holding everything together. Drink 2022-2029- 95
2019 TOR ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection wine coming from the Tierra Roja and Skellenger Vineyards. Aged in a combination of Taransaud and Darnajou oak barrels for 20 months, this offers sweetened pipe tobacco and leather which combine with ripe cassis and iron tones on the nose. The palate is very soft and inviting, with a seamless texture and glorious sense of length. Generous, this is beautifully made Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that has both great extraction and verve that will easily store fore the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2040- 95
2019 TOR ‘Melanson Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The Melanson Vineyard is set on rocky soils high up on Pritchard Hill, as Cabernet Sauvignon vines are in close proximity to Lake Hennessy. 100% varietal, this opens with wet granite and asphalt notes that combine with creme de violette and suggestions of boysenberry cordial on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting, with great concentration and finesse. Rich black and blue fruits collide with anise, stony minerals and lavender notes on the palate. Finishing very long this is gorgeous, age worthy Cabernet Sauvignon that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2045- 98
2019 TOR ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The utterly fabulous 2019 TOR ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the great wines that I have tasted this past year. The nose is a very pure expression of Oakville terroir, with creme de cassis, dried herbs and violets that collide with freshly tilled loamy soils. The palate is seamless and expresses a weightless drinking experience. Very compact now, showing a deep concentration of black and blue fruits, with graphite, cigar box and creosote notes, this is nothing short of perfection in a bottle. Savor this stunner over the next twenty years. Drink 2022-2045- 100
2019 TOR ‘Tierra Roja’ Cabernet Sauvingon- The brilliant 2019 TOR ‘Tierra Roja’ Cabernet Sauvingon is a stunning new wine that screams terroir. Farmed by Linda Neal since 1987, this vineyard is sourced entirely by TOR. The nose is very stony and rocky, with wet gravel alongside tobacco leaf, beef drippings and copious dark fruits, with purple rose petals. Very soft and plush on the mouth, this shows good concentration and acidity, finishing exceedingly long. Enjoy this delicious, well-structured wine over the next twenty years. Drink 2022-2040- 98