| Score: |
95+ RP.
"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 . . . . The great Philip Togni, the Ancient Mariner, or should I say mountain goat, has made brilliant Cabernet Sauvignons at Chappellet (try their 1969), Cuvaison (try their 1975) and at his own estate. One of Napa Valley’s most admirable senior citizens, he reminds me of Robert Redford in the fabulous movie, Jeremiah Johnson – not likely to ever come down from the mountain, preferring to look over his grapes and remain in wonderful solitude with one of the great views in Napa Valley." Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013 |