2018 TOR Pure Magic Vine Hill Ranch
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The 2018 Pure Magic - Vine Hill Ranch, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot co-ferment, is a total stunner, just as it was last year. Inky dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol, pine and chocolate builds in a potent, opulent wine that is immediately captivating. Every time I taste Pure Magic I am taken to the first time I tasted it from barrel. Even then, before the wine had ever been released, it was clear Tor Kenward and longtime winemaker Jeff Ames had hit on a truly magical formula. Their 2018 is an arrestingly beautiful wine that represents the pinnacle achievement in Napa Valley. I only hope to have a chance to taste it again as an older wine!
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Lastly, the 2018 Pure Magic Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard is a selection from this great vineyard and checks in as 53% Cabernet and 47% Petit Verdot. As with the straight vineyard release, it reveals a vivid purple hue to go with a deep, complex nose of black and blue fruits, crushed violets, chocolate, gravelly earth, and smoked tobacco, Rich, opulent, and sweetly fruited on the palate, this is one sexy, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that has full-bodied richness, a weightless texture, incredible finesse and purity, and a heavenly finish. It's already approachable yet is going to evolve for 20-30 years or more.
The 2018 Pure Magic Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard is a micro-bottling of just 150 cases, 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Petit Verdot, co-fermented. Rich, sumptuous and hedonistic, the 2018 is positively stunning from the first taste. Super-ripe red cherry, red plum, pomegranate, mocha, rose petal and spice all flesh out in the glass. Silky tannins, pliant fruit and soft curves give Pure Magic tons of appeal. The Petit Verdot at Vine Hill Ranch has always been magnificent on its own, so it is not at all surprising to see Tor Kenward and Jeff Ames craft a wine with this level of sheer pedigree. The 2018 is a total stunner. Don't miss it.
This is a brand-new wine for TOR, composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Petit Verdot, co-fermented, then aged mainly in Darnajou oak (French) barrels for around 19 months. The 2018 Red Blend Pure Magic Vine Hill Ranch has a deep garnet-purple color and strides confidently out of the glass with sophisticated notes of cassis, cedar chest, pencil lead and warm plums plus suggestions of wild sage, clove oil and violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with vibrant, crunchy black fruit and a solid foundation of firm grainy tannins, finishing long and fragrant. 150 cases were made.