Al Shikoh

9.0

Dark reddish purple. Aromas of plum, violets, and gravel as well as a savory/meaty quality. Dark fruit evident on the palate with medium tannins, neutral oak, and 14.5% ABV. Jeff Ames, who makes wine for TOR Kenward, makes this under his own Rudius label. — 5 years ago

Billy L.

9.6

Parker gave it 96, ditto! Very good right now; classic To Kalon! Kudos @Tor Kenward & @Jeff Ames Winemaker.
Really great Napa Cabernet Sauvignon!
Cheers 👍🏻👏🏻🍇🍷 — 6 years ago

Kirk F

9.1

In Ames for a weekend with our senior and a little Big12/SEC Hoops Challenge. Go Cyclones! These appellation wines from Carlisle are a ridiculous value. Didn’t have a decanter so we popped the top and and had a cocktail while it opened a bit. Opaque, nearly black in the glass with a wafting nose of blackberry jam. The nose was a little ‘boozy’ to me but it only weighs in at 14.2% ABV. Massive on the palate, again with the blackberries and what my wife describes as ‘meaty’. Game? This one will age beautifully if you can resist. A beautiful finish accompanied a nice meal and a great start to the final weekend of January. Cheers! — 6 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.9

Most will know my mild obsession with Tor wines. But this ranks among my favorites: Black Magic and To Kalon Anniversary Cuvée. This 50 case production is a dark ruby/garnet in the glass and has a highly perfumed nose of cassis, graphite, and earth. Decanted for 2 hours, the mouthfeel is rich and super thick - literally it almost has a syrup like texture. On the palate, flavors explode with blackberries and chocolate dominating - without being sweet or extracted. This is a stunning wine from @Tor Kenward and @Jeff Ames. STUNNING.
— 7 years ago

TheSkip

9.3

Yessir! This is full tilt. Very well balanced Syrah nevertheless. Great job @Jeff Ames — 7 years ago

Charles Saumade

8.9

Un excellent rouge. A la fois puissant et aromatique, il se doit très bien se porter à l'Élysée ! — 7 years ago

Tiffany Mozena

10

Ames, IA
Nice white wine. — 8 years ago

FinerTastes

9.4

Celebrating Christmas with our favorite red blend. — 5 years ago

with Sarah and Kristen

Billy L.

9.6

Weekend Wines
@Tor Kenward @Jeff Ames
Kudos! The 2012 Tor Napa Valley Cabernet Over delivered, big time, Fabulous right now!
Killer QPR wine!
🍇🍷👍🏻👏🏻 — 6 years ago

with Laura

Shay A

9.4

This has got to be the most intricate and detailed label I have ever seen. The back label gives so much information on the vineyard, down to the soil type and composition! I believe Jeff Ames (of Tor & Rudius) is the winemaker here.

@Mark Flesher opened this beauty and it had us thinking the entire time we enjoyed it (only a glass or two before needing to leave). I'll be honest...I'm not sure I've had a Las Piedras wine before. This had a lot more red fruit to it than I expected. At 7 years old, this hasn't even begun its ascent to its peak. The nose on this was gorgeous...that sweet/candied liqueur note alongside dusty blackberries. Almost a bit more pine than cedar here. Rhubarb. The mid palate here is very elegant. Mark mentioned that the nose and entry reminded him of a Caymus SS. The finish seemed like it couldn't make up its mind. Currant, red licorice and faint nutmeg. I feel like this probably revealed much more on day 2...Mark, let me know how it evolved! — 7 years ago

with Mark

Kim Stanbro

9.0

This was better in tonight's living room than I remembered in the tasting room. No decant but hearty swirls. — 7 years ago

Mike Ganino

9.6

A bit young. Great body. Great structure. Glad I have extra to leave on its side a bit longer. — 7 years ago

Matt Lichtenberg

9.5

Well done Ames! Not your typical over extracted California fruit bomb but balanced and almost more Bordeaux like in complexity. Don't drink a lot of young California Cab but I'm generally enjoying 2012 much more than 2013 but that could be the extra year in bottle. — 8 years ago

Rob Lawson

9.5

Ames killed it with this one — 5 years ago

Patrick

9.0

Tasty. Balanced. Slightly chalky. Weird for Alexander valley but I like it. — 6 years ago

Kevin Blix

9.0

Easy drinking silky 2004 — 6 years ago

Ben Jones

9.2

Beautiful color of vibrant violet. Pure Sonoma on the nose, a mix of clean and deep red fruit, rich earth and high toned energy. Very rich fruit and broad leather notes on the palate which leads to a tannic finish with enough acidity on it to keep it from being flabby. This will age exceptionally. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.6

This estate was a spectacular find this trip! @John Boich was an amazing host and so was Jnani!
@Shay Aldriedge @Martin G Rivard @David L @Ron R @Carl Fischer this is an estate you guys need to check out, especially if you love the Rudius Wines. This is the same winemaker, Jeff Ames, same as TOR too.


Deep and dark ruby red. Dark purple floral attack with lavender and lilacs, followed with tons of savory notes. Nose finished off with some black and blue berries. Heavy tannins (8/10) and tighter than the rest of the Cabernet Sauvignons. A bit savory with dried red berries and black cherries. A little floral too. Full bodied and lingering finish. Drink from 2019 till 2040. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Carl Fischer

9.3

What a surprise. Thanks for the awesome recommendation @Ron R. I get dark fruit, vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. Vanilla and blackberries dominate the palate with mouth drying tannins and a nice acidity. Smooth and nice. I let it breathe in my glass (which means not long) and it definitely opened up after it had been opened for a while. This is really nice and got it for a steal on LB. Huge fan of Jeff Ames from Tor and delighted to try his own wine. Very nice. Will have to check out some of the single vineyard designates. Any suggestions from the group on which one to try for first? Happy New Year's Eve to all. — 7 years ago

Kirk F

8.9

Enjoying Haley's 21st birthday in Ames tonight. Nice accompaniment with our pasta! — 8 years ago

with Michael, Jeff and 1 other