TOR CABERNET TIERRA ROJA "17   

TOR KENWARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON TIERRA ROJA VINEYARD OAKVILLE NAPA VALLEY 2017

NVWE Notes: As always, Tor's winemaker builds extra power into this famously elegant fruit. The nose is concentrated and sharply-focused, and as the wine airs it fans-out as a tightly-wound yet impressively harmonious melange of Amerena cherry, Italian Maraschino cherry, red currant jam, blueberry, violet, mace, cedar, clove, sandalwood, vanilla, sweet tobacco and toasted hazelnut scents. All of these notes are easily detected on the palate, where creamy mocha joins the rich spice blend, while the fruit, if notably youthful, seems of grander-scale. Juicy and lingering, it is a dramatic dinner centerpiece now, yet those patient enough to allow five to eight years of cellar-time will receive a grander reward.

Wine Advocate

93 Points

In 2017, for the first time, the Cabernet Sauvignon from Tierra Roja Vineyard was left on skins after the primary fermentation, "since it just kept getting better and better", according to Tor Kenward. It was aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels. Deep garnet purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tierra Roja Vineyard gives up pronounced cassis, red currant jelly, raspberry leaves and dusty earth scents with nuances of unsmoked cigars, wild thyme and lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate has a super-firm backbone of chewy tannins and great freshness with taut, tightly wound fruit, finishing on a lingering savory note. 250 cases were made. Drink Date 2021 - 2035. Lisa Perrotti-Brown 31st Oct 2019