Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1399
The Best-Tasting Vodka in the World Awarded Top Vodka, Double Gold Medal 2009 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION HANDCRAFTED SPIRITS FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST www.dryflydistilling.com please enjoy the outdoors and our products responsibly I 've known Tor Kenward since his days as an executive at Beringer, where over a 27-year career in marketing he over- saw that winery's rise during the phenomenal growth spurt of California wine in the 70s, 80s and 90s. That period also saw the rise of the Napa cult Cabernet, so when Tor retired from Beringer in 2001, he was eager to create a wine that had his own stamp on it. Tor had actually been making his own wine all along in small lots, using some of Beringer's best vineyard sources, but went commercial when he founded Tor Kenward Family Wines, and its primary label, TOR, with his wife Susan. A sec- ond label, ROCK, was created in 2004 to emulate the wines of the Rhône Valley, especially the Syrah-driven wines of Hermitage, which Tor had experienced in the 1970s, when no one in America took the Rhône seriously. Tor looks forward to eventually creating a Grenache-laden Châteauneuf-du-Pape tribute as well. I met with Tor recently to taste through some current releases. Here are my notes. 90 ROCK 2006 Hommage Allan, Judge Family Vine- yard, Bennett Valley ($53) Typically a Syrah, but in this vintage it was only 73% Syrah (with 25% Grenache and 2% Viognier) and wasn't varietally labeled; smooth, dense and concentrated with chocolate, blackberry, spice and good acid structure; mellow, clean and balanced. 89 ROCK 2006 Syrah, Judge Family Vineyard, Ben- nett Valley ($40) Dark and rich with great concen- tration and fi ne structure; ripe, spicy and showing black pepper and depth. 88 ROCK 2006 Syrah, Hudson Vineyard, Napa Valley ($60) Black pepper and spice, long and intense with some green notes; ripe blackberry and blueberry. 93 TOR 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cimarossa Vine- yard, Howell Mountain ($75) Dark and lush with lovely plum and blueberry fruit; ripe and rich with excellent balance and velvety texture; quite exquisite. 92 TOR 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mast-Cimarossa Vineyard, Howell Mountain ($75) Smooth, elegant and lush with lovely ripe plum and berry fruit with notes of sweet oak; rich, long and charming with great structure. TOR and ROCK Tor Kenward Family Wines