Noble ROT
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Blue cheese, foie gras, fruit tarts
✨ Technical Specifications
In the sun-drenched corridors of Napa Valley, the occurrence of Botrytis cinerea—the benevolent fungus known as 'noble rot'—is a rare and magical anomaly. TOR Kenward's 'Noble ROT' is a testament to these fleeting moments of viticultural serendipity. Produced only in exceptional vintages when autumn mists linger long enough in the vineyards to coax the rot to bloom, this luscious dessert wine is crafted in the classic tradition of Sauternes. The botrytis naturally dehydrates the grapes on the vine, concentrating their sugars, acids, and flavors into a precious, golden nectar. Winemaker Jeff Ames coaxes this intensely concentrated juice through a slow, cool fermentation, followed by extended aging in French oak barrels. The result is a decadent, complex wine boasting notes of honeyed apricot, candied ginger, and orange marmalade, balanced by a vibrant spine of acidity that keeps the finish remarkably fresh.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2001 by Napa Valley veteran Tor Kenward and his wife Susan, TOR Wines is an artisanal producer located in St. Helena, California. Drawing upon Kenward's nearly three decades of executive experience alongside legendary growers and winemakers at Beringer Vineyards, the estate is dedicated to crafting small-production, vineyard-designated wines from premier sites throughout Napa Valley. TOR focuses primarily on historic grand cru-caliber terroirs, most notably Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, and Cimarossa Vineyard. Employing a minimalist, site-expressive winemaking philosophy, the winery is internationally celebrated for its powerful, cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons, refined Chardonnays, and rare, expressive Syrahs.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc