Winemaker Notes
On the nose you first get a touch of smoked meats which is followed by big rich black cherry/cedar/spices and licorice. On the palate this wine has tremendous density while still remaining lite on its feet. There is black raspberry/cassis/chocolate and a lingering hint of cherry wood smoke. Of the '08 Tor Cabernets this might be the one to try first (as it is almost every year).
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Ripe, fleshy and full-bodied, with generous plum, wild berry and blackberry fruit that's supple and layered, unfolding in a gracious, graceful, complex manner, with wonderful persistence. The more you taste this, the more interesting it gets. Drink now through 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Mast Vineyard possesses abundant aromas of black currants, cedar, licorice and roasted herbs, deep, medium to full-bodied power, supple tannins, loads of fruit and a dense, complete, upfront, delicious personality. This beauty can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-15+ years. It is easily the most forward of Kenward’s 2008 Cabernets.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
One of Napa Valley's most historic sub-appellations, Yountville spreads through some of the valley's ideal cooler sites and enjoys success with a handful of different and significant grape varieties.
Syrah competes strongly with Cabernet Sauvignon here for optimal vineyard real estate followed by Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Sauvignon blanc.
This sub-AVA of Napa Valley is rich in the history that makes Napa Valley what it is today, and not just for red wines. Moët & Chandon entered the California winemaking business via Yountville in 1973 with the establishment Domaine Chandon. Their goal has always been to produce top quality méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
Christian Moueix, originally responsible for managing Chateau Petrus and La Fleur-Petrus in Pomerol, arrived in Yountville in the early 1980s. He formed a partnership with Rohin Lail and Marcia Smith, inheritors of Napanook vineyard from their father John Daniel of Inglenook in Rutherford. In 1995 Moueix became sole owner of Napanook and chose the name Dominus, which today produces some of Napa’s highest scoring, age-worthy Bordeaux Blends.