Wine: Tor Rock: Syrah Judge Vineyard

California

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Tor Kenward

Tor Kenward spent 27 years as a senior executive with Beringer Vineyards working in winemaking and marketing, helping to build a wine company known to collectors worldwide for its outstanding Reserve and single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. He retired in 2001, and along with his wife Susan, started TOR Kenward Family Wines, a small wine company based on single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays.

“For three decades I made a least one barrel of wine each vintage from Beringer’s best vineyard sites,” recalls Tor Kenward. “I had great mentors, Ed Sbragia and Bob Steinhauer, encouraging me to make wine and grow grapes. We had different approaches, but shared the same passion: great wine, and how to make it. We tasted together, traveled together to Europe to learn more, and shared the secrets we unearthed along the journey.”

“I walked every corner of Napa and Sonoma those three decades, an avid student of what makes a great vineyard. Luckily, I am working today with people whom I consider to be extraordinary growers dedicated to growing the highest quality grapes,” explains Tor. “We farm these special vineyard sites by acre-by-acre—meaning we work together to achieve the best possible grapes regardless of cost.”

Our winemaking is driven by the same philosophy: constantly striving for the best, whatever it takes. Tor works exclusively with small cooperage houses in France to ensure we have the best barrels, and uses natural yeasts for both primary and secondary fermentations. Grapes are hand sorted, and our wines are crafted in very small cuvees so as to receive minimal handling. “If we harvest what we consider world-class grapes, our job as winemakers is to stay out of the way. That takes experience and patience, but can be very rewarding when it all comes together,” explains Tor.

Cracked black pepper fresh out of a pepper mill is the most defining quality on the
aromatics of this wine. Road tar, roasted meats and charcoal smoke are also found
on the nose of this Syrah. On the palate there is full weight with tremendous
density and length across the entire palate. Along with the richness and density
are the acids from the cool climate vineyard site that hold the fruit in check and
provide precision and definition. Ripe cherry, boysenberry and even hints of
Provence herbs are evident on the palate. A classic cool climate California Syrah.
More like Hermitage to the Hommage Allans’ Cote Rotie.

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