Wine reviews
The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignons reveal their individual terroirs, with the Oakville cuvee, a pure black currant liqueur intermixed with licorice, smoke, and graphite. In contrast to the 2006s, which are great successes from Tor Kenward, the 2007s possess even sweeter tannins and nearly unnoticeable levels of acidity, alcohol, and wood. The remarkably pure, deep, concentrated fruit character of all three wines (a hallmark of this extraordinary vintage) covers everything up at this point. All of these wines should turn out to be brilliant, and should achieve the same level of success as Kenward’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignons.
Looking for a Pauillac copycat made in the Napa’s tenderloin sector, Oakville? If so, the dense purple-colored 2007 Tor Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard offers up abundant aromas of crème de cassis, licorice, cedar, spice box, and a whiff of unsmoked, high class cigar tobacco. With a full-bodied palate as well as a beautiful texture, richness, moderately high tannins, and admirable purity and length, this 2007 will hit its prime in 4-5 years, and should last for 25+.
Defines understated elegance with its mix of black cherry, candied apple, cherry, spice, raspberry and wild berry. Delicate yet intense, this is full-bodied, focused and balanced, ending with layers of fruit, black licorice and spice. Best from 2011 through 2023. 216 cases made. – J. L.