Sigel's: Tor Kenward Tasting & Bottle Signing

 

Monday, September 17, 2012 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Dallas, Texas

Sigel's Elite
3209 N Fitzhugh
Dallas, Texas 75204
214-635-3162

 

Tor Kenward Tasting & Bottle Signing

Sigel’s-Elite (3209 N Fitzhugh)

Monday, September 17th 5-6:30pm

“This is a dazzling set of wines from Tor Kenward and his long-time winemaker Jeff Ames. Frankly, I could have spent an entire afternoon delving further into these fabulous wines. The 2009 Cabernets capture the best qualities of this refined, polished vintage, but the 2010s, which I tasted from barrel, are potentially even better.” eRobertParker.com

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. In 2004 he started ROCK paying  hommage to the wines to the Rhone Valley. Most will be Syrah emulating Hermitage, but some bottlings will be homage to Chateauneuf du Pape and other appellations that invite experimentation with the varietals of the Southern Rhone region.

“Luckily, I am working today with people whom I consider to be extraordinary growers dedicated to growing the highest quality grapes. 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. We work 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." Tor Kenward

Join us at Sigel’s-Elite (3209 N Fitzhugh) on Monday, September 17th from 5-6:30pm as we welcome one of the most respected winemaking minds in the Napa Valley. Owner Tor Kenward will be on hand to lead us through a tasting of his current releases from the fantastic 2009 and 2010 vintages. His nearly 30 years of involvement with top Napa winemakers and grape growers has given him a unique perspective in terms of searching out top sites to make wines that combine the complexity and sophistication of European wines with the beautiful fruit, texture, and purity that California is rightly famous for.

These limited-production, ultra-allocated gems are only made available outside the winery to a small handful of major cities around the country with the vast majority going to top restaurants. As a result only limited quantities of these fabulous wines will be offered for sale after the tasting, so don’t miss this special opportunity!. For more information about this free tasting please contact Jim Fleming at store04wine@sigels.com or  214/635-3162 .

Tor Kenward wines to be tasted:

Tor Chardonnay Cuvee’ Torchiana 2010 (94st)

 “(from a Hyde clone; from 25-year-old vines whose tiny clusters yielded less than a ton an acre in 2010, according to Tor Kenward):  Good bright yellow.  Aromas of orchard fruits, lemon curd, minerals and smoky lees.  Offers lovely fruit intensity in a cool style:  lemon zest, fresh peach, minerals and menthol.  Nothing tropical about this California chardonnay.  High-pitched, broad and quite dry, with a palate-dusting, extract-rich finish.” Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Tor Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2010 (93-95rp)

“The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from Cimarossa, Mast and To Kalon. Fine, silky tannins provide the backdrop for the racy red fruit in this totally refined, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Everything is in the right place. The Cabernet Sauvignon is totally impeccable from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.” eRobertParker.com

Tor Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard 2009 (97ws)

 “A deliciously complex, intriguing, exciting expression of Cabernet. Firm where it should be, with a subtle mix of acid and tannins. Generous and layered with spicy berry flavors that sail on and on. Drink now through 2025.” The Wine Spectator

Tor Rock Syrah Hommage Allan 2010

“96% Syrah, Hudson Vineyard; 4% Grenache, Terra Bella Vineyards. The nose of the 2010 Allan just screams whole cluster Syrah with earth, spice, roasted meats and damp soil. On the palate this is very rich, dense and packed with extract and stuffing. Black fruit dominated this shows blackberry, black cherries, charcoal and pepper. This is a wine to lie down in the cellar and come back to in a few years if you have the patience. If not, pop and pour with the biggest, richest meat dish you can find.” Tor Kenward