Tasting Notes

WA95

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. For those who don’t know, Togni has always made an uncompromising Cabernet meant for 20, 30, maybe even 40 or more years of cellaring. Gorgeously rich notes of black olives, black currants, graphite and wood smoke jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored, Medoc-styled 2003. At age ten, it displays a youthfulness similar to a 4- to 5-year-old wine. The finish is long, convincing and rich. It is reminiscent of a Spring Mountain version of a hybrid blend of St.-Julien and Pauillac. Unique to Napa and as distinctive as Philip Togni himself, it will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should last longer than your author. By the way, my cellar includes many vintages of Togni, and I rarely touch them before they hit 15 years of age.

WS92

Good medium ruby. Blackberry, cassis, roasted plum, chocolate, leather and some dusty earth on the nose; seems less dense than the 2004. Then juicy and penetrating on the palate, with flavors of wild mountain blackberry, blueberry and leather. Shows slightly edgy acids and considerable dusty tannins that are not quite as fine as those of the young 2004, but there's also a velvety texture to the middle palate. Togni noted that this wine is now typically about 82% cabernet sauvignon, with about 15% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot added since the '99 vintage. Rating: 91-92 Points

Other wines you may like