2010 Philip Togni "Tanbark Hill" Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Togni’s second label, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill Vineyard, is relatively accessible for the vintage. Sweet dark cherries, flowers, herbs and mocha are all woven together in the glass. Already quite juicy and supple, the 2010 is a gracious, mid-weight wine with considerable immediate appeal. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. Philip Togni, along with his wife Birgitta and daughter Lisa continue to turn out some of the most distinctive and age worthy Cabernet Sauvignons in Napa Valley. The wines are built on structure more than overt fruit, so they need a few years in bottle to come together, but when they do, they are spectacular. (12/ 2012)

"Togni hardly needs an introduction to lovers of fine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon," writes Wine Advocate's Antonio Galloni, "Since his epic 1969 Cabernet Sauvignon at Chappellet, Togni has crafted a series of impeccable, breathtaking wines. It is amazing to consider that Togni's wines remain so reasonably priced when an endless number of new wineries with no track record seem to pop up every day with first releases well over $100 a bottle...The estate's Tanbark Hill is a second selection made from the barrels that don't go into the Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the wines see approximately 40% new oak from four different tonneliers." (12/11) Philip Togni Vineyard is a true family operation. Birgitta Togni manages the viticulture, while husband Philip Togni and daughter Lisa are the oenologist and winemaker respectively. All three share in ownership. Both Philip and Lisa trained in Bordeaux. Philip earned his oenology degree in there and trained at Château Lascombes in Margaux; Lisa trained at Château Léoville Barton in St. Julien.