Amongst our diverse community of Vintner Members, Tor Kenward is arguably the most decorated and seasoned winemaker of the bunch.

“Over the last four decades, I’ve walked almost every corner of the Napa Valley striving to understand exactly what makes a great wine. When I found TOR Wines, the plan was simple. Our wines would come from only the best blocks in the great vineyard sites I knew and revered.” – Tor Kenward

Having served as Vice President of Beringer Vineyards for nearly 25 years, Kenward’s accomplishments are vast; most notably, spearheading the development of Beringer’s Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, one of Napa Valley’s most iconic wines.

Today, for his eponymous label, TOR calls on a wealth of knowledge and experience, as it pertains to the sweet spots within some of Napa Valley’s most famed vineyards. It’s one thing to source your fruit from a single vineyard with massive name recognition. It’s another to understand and home in on which blocks yield the finest most complex fruit.

At this point, the TOR wines hardly need much of an introduction or explanation. To put it bluntly, Tor along with his rock star winemaker Jeff Ames, are producing some of the most complete Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings in Napa Valley today. While the journey began with the inaugural 2001 vintage, it seems like the operation is now firing on all cylinders.

Recent vintages have seen critical acclaim come in abundance, with the current release 2019 vintage earning top scores from the likes of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, James Suckling, Jeb Dunnick, and many more.

Today’s Mayacama Wine Offer provides members with access to the highly rated 2019 vintage from TOR. The following wines are available in very limited quantities…

TOR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Melanson Vineyard, Napa Valley 2019 – located on Napa Valley’s famed Pritchard Hill, Melanson Vineyard produces a plusher, richer softer expression of a mountain Napa Valley Cabernet than the other TOR bottlings. There is the typical tannin structure off of Pritchard Hill but with the 2019 vintage, the perception of the tannin is more supple and smooth. There is tobacco, menthol, dried herbs, vineyard dust and currants. As approachable as this is right now, expect a comfortable 10-15 years of graceful development.

97 Points, Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

TOR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley 2019 – Beckstoffer To Kalon continues to receive worldwide accolades, and has been said to be the most famous vineyard in Napa Valley. For the last decade, Tor has worked with the same six blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and two blocks of Cabernet Franc. The team largely considers their 2019 To Kalon bottlings to be truly unlike any other To Kalon wine they have made in the last 20 years. With a large percentage of Cabernet Franc inserted into this years blend, this finished wine has depth and richness along with refined tannins and a lifted freshness.

99 points, Decanter

TOR, Bordeaux Blend, “Pure Magic,” Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard, Napa Valley 2019 –The TOR house is built and stands on the foundation of single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from very special blocks in what some consider First Growth or Premier Cru Napa Valley sites. For Tor, this is hallowed land, and in the case of Beckstoffer To Kalon and Vine Hill Ranch, land that has a long history of extraordinary wines. Within Vine Hill Ranch, Tor sources three blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and one block of Petit Verdot. Extremely unique and delicious as ever, the 2019 Vine Hill Ranch Pure Magic is its normal ~60% Cabernet and 40% Petite Verdot as a co-ferment. This co-fermentation creates a wine that is so much better and unique than blending the components together after fermentation. This has an extremely rich palate and soaring aromatics that show smoked meat, earth, black berries, black cherries and mint. This wine will look at 15 years in the cellar and keep going for at least another 5.

99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

TOR will not be releasing any Cabernet Sauvignon for the 2020 vintage and so this will probably be the last buying opportunity available before things dry up for a while.

Additionally, we are offering Tor’s recently released memoir, “Refelections of a Vintner: Stories and seasonal wisdom from a lifetime in Napa Valley.” This will make as a great gift for the upcoming holiday season. Stock up while you can!

As always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director

TOR, Cabernet Sauvignon

Melanson Vineyard, Napa Valley 2019 - $285/btl

TOR, Cabernet Sauvignon

Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley 2019 - $375/btl

TOR, Bordeaux Blend

“Pure Magic,” Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard, Napa Valley 2019 - $395/btl

"Reflections of a Vintner: Stories and seasonal wisdom

from a lifetime in Napa Valley." - $30/book

Click here for more information about the wines.