Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2019 vintage. From a 375 ml format. Amongst what passes for the ne plus ultra in Napa cabbage these days. Rich. Overtly sumptuous. Modicum of umami on the finish. Restrained/polite company version of a fruit bomb. Too extracted/manipulated without representative tannins for this old-school Dunn/Diamond Creek/Mayacamas/Montelena guy but still verry nice for this style. Dunno where this settles in twenty years but that's someone else's problem down the road. 7.7.24. — a year ago

B

10

1990 Leroy Richebourg. Dinner at Tap w Frederic. Drank after the 1975 Phelps Eisele and before the 1975 Mayacamas. We decanted just before serving and it definitely needed more time to open up. The nose was elegant and multidimensional, but perhaps because we didn’t give the wine enough time, the wine was very restrained in the mouth. Beautiful fruit up front, really elegant finish, but almost no mid-palate. Very austere in the middle. This righted itself once the wine had some time. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

From high in the Mayacamas Range, at elevation of 1,700 feet, lies Spring Mountain and the Robert Keenan Winery. Cab Sauv sourced, 73% from Spring Mountain and 27% from Pope Valley. Dark opaque Ruby with aromas of red fruits, oak, smoke, sweet herbs and spice. On the palate black raspberry and blackberry flavors with notes of tobacco, cacao and espresso. Fine dusty tannins, satisfying acidity on complex long smooth finish ending with sweet oak tones. Nice! Drink now! — 5 years ago

Martinez

9.1

Gorgeous, medium-bodied Zinfandel from some of the most remote vineyards in all of Napa, gown organically on Mt. Veeder’s volcanic soils, at 2,100 ft. altitude, and made by California cult producer Lore Olds - Bob Travers’ assistant winemaker at Mayacamas back in the 1970s. Earthy, mineral and balanced. Blackberry, peppery smokiness, hints of nail polish or marker — 5 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.1

A bit oxidized, but still amazing. One of many unicorns I will have today. Toasted almonds, caramel/marzipan. The acidity has diminished a bit, but still amazing . Lovely viscous finish. — 6 years ago

with Gregory

Nickie Curry

9.2

Dinner with Greg for bday, it was really good — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

One of my favorite Napa producers & vintages from Philip Togni.

On the nose, ripe, perfumed florals, creamy fruits of; blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, plum and strawberries on the glass edges. Vibrant baking spices; vanilla, light cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark smooth spices, mocha chocolate with caramel, dark berry cola, notes of black licorice, sweet tar, forest floral, fresh tobacco leaf, just a touch of dry herbs, graphite, loamy clay and dark, fresh red florals with lavender & violets.

The body is, round, ruby, lush & full. The structure, tension, length have just tipped to the very beginnings of the waning stage but, the balance is incredible. Ripe, perfumed florals, creamy fruits of; blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, plum and strawberries on the glass edges. Vibrant baking spices; vanilla, light cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark smooth spices, mocha chocolate with caramel, dark berry cola, chalky volcanic minerals with some grit, crushed dry rocks, notes of black licorice, sweet tar, forest floral, tobacco with ash, soft leather, saddle-wood, some underbrush, just a touch of dry herbs, graphite, loamy clay and dark, fresh red florals with lavender & violets. The round acidity is near perfect. The long, round, ripe, ruby, lush, well balanced finish sings on the palate for minutes.

Photos of, the Philip Togni vineyard, cellar staff-Salvador Sanchez, Philip Togni and his daughter Lisa and their barrel room.

Producer notes and history...Philip Togni was born in England and earned a degree (the Dipome National d’Oenologie) at the University of Bordeaux under Emile Peynaud. World famous Winemaker & mega Wine Consultant Michel Rolland also studied under Emile.

After his studies, Philip Togni moved to the Napa Valley in 1959. His first job was planting vines at Mayacamas.

In his career, he has been the Winemaker for Chalone, Chappellet, Cuvaison, Gallo, Inglenook and Sterling before starting his own winery.

Philip Togni was the Winemaker at Chapellet when they made one of the top wines from the 1960’s, the legendary 1969 Chapellet.

Philip Togni Vineyards were founded in 1975 when he purchased 25 acres atop Spring Mountain at an elevation of 2,000 feet. It took until 1981 to plant the vineyard. Sadly, he had to replant in the early 1990’s due to phylloxera.

The winery released its first vintage in 1983, a Sauvignon Blanc. However, he no longer produces white wine.

It took a few more years until the first Cabernet Sauvignon wines were produced at the estate. The debut vintage for Philip Togni Cabernet was the 1985 vintage. The initial vintages of Philip Togni were 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Philip Togni does not produce wines with high alcohol. A style from Napa that is sorely missed by me.

The style of his wines are Left bank. Left Bank wines had a big influence on his winemaking and the estate. However, if you have ever spent time looking at his labels for alcohol levels, they’re nowhere to be found.

During the 1980’s, the BATF allowed wineries to state that their wine had the alcoholic strength of a table wine, which was around 7% to 14%. For wineries that had not requested to change their labels, those wineries were not forced to provide specific percent of alcohol. If their labels remain unchanged from their label during the 1980’s, they were only required to state the wine as table wine.

The vineyard contains rocky and clay soils at 2,000 feet. Like Howell Mountain, the vineyard is well above the fog line, which allows for more sunlight and riper fruit.

The Estate is planted to 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

Philip Togni makes three wines:

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged in 40% new, French oak barrels for an average of 20 months before bottling.

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, powerful, tannic when wine young. PT requires longer cellar time. It’s made from ripe mountain fruit that can easily take a 10 to 20 year to fully mature. And trust me, it is closer to 20 years of aging before it’s ready to drink.

Philip Togni also produces a second wine called “Tanbark Hill.” It’s named after a prominent hill near the Estate. Tanbark Hill is a 3 1/2-acre parcel of young vines. A very good second wine for less money.

The third wine is Philip Togni Ca’ and is sweet red dessert wine that is produced from the grape, Black Hamburgh. This grape was popular in the Napa Valley before Prohibition. Black Hamburgh is also know as Black Muscat. It is a grape variety derived from the crossing of the Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria by R. Snow of Bedforshire, England in 1850, according to my studies.

Philip Togni remains a family Winery. The estate is managed by Philip Togni (in his 90’s), his wife Brigitta Togni and their daughter Lisa Togni. In time, it is expected that Lisa Togni will take over the estate.

— 7 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(little fine/cloudy sediment). A breathtaking dark magenta color. On the nose: jumping from the glass are stewed cherries/plum, herbaceous, licorice, roasted meat, earth, touch of menthol. Taste: elegant, juicy, velvety wine with dark cherry, pepper, chocolate, cedar, and a anise/tobacco medium plus finish. From the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas mtns. Purchased on a recent visit...beautiful indoor/outdoor tasting room featuring their small production wines. If you want to throw down some serious change they offer a terrific multi course food and wine pairing in the underground cellar. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Ira Schwartz

9.0

Released for the first time in 2006 at a price of $100 per bottle with a 3 bottle limit. This wine never went through malolactic fermentation. I can not resist burying bottles in the name of science. A musty nose joined up with earth and tobacco. A “juicy” palate of cedar, dirt (tons of sediment), soft fruits and mint. The experience for me would be similar to dancing with ones mom or grandmother on their 100th birthday, pure happiness and joy . My score reflects an amalgamation of the 3 bottles I consumed. One can probably find the story of this wine on the Web. — 4 years ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.2

Dark red. Smooth and earthy at same time. Unusual combination imho. Almost no tannins left. Dark fruit. Good balance. Some musty flavors. Long finish.. 2002. Drink now. I don’t think much will be left in 5 years . — 5 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.3

Organic old vines from the Sonoma side of mayacamas. I absolutely love Sonoma valley zin way more than cabs or anything else from here. History in a bottle and damn good at that. Very pretty fruit (almost old world in character - is there carignane and Alicante here?) wonderful wine and one my favorite zins of the year.... after reading more and more about California’s wine history, I’ve been drawn more and more to old vine zin because it is our mark on the wine world. I can’t imagine a better expression of Sonoma than this kind of stuff. Very cool — 5 years ago

Loren Loftesnes

9.2

This is a fantastic wine that is definitely underrated — 6 years ago

with Rosita

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Drinking this on Chinese New Year and I swear I get a similar nose to baijiu. — 6 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.2

Delicious and crisp, though it could def benefit from some time to take the edge off its sharp acidity. Prominent nose of lemon, lime rind, and even a little grapefruit, with just the tiniest hint of pastry like and mineral notes. Light bodied, with very light yellow/green color and a pleasant palate, with strong yellow/green citrus, and a lingering flavor of fresh lime, slight salinity, and an almost vegetal freshness to the finish. This shines as what sav blanc is capable of. — 2 years ago

B

10

1975 Phelps Eisele Vineyard. Dinner at Tap w Frederic. Drank first, before the 1990 Leroy Richebourg, and then the 1975 Mayacamas Napa Mountain CS. This was our favorite. Decanted right before serving and the nose was super refined and elegant. The finish went on forever. Probably should be drinking sooner rather than later. — 4 years ago

Gregory Hoeker

9.2

16 barrels — 5 years ago

Manny Abascal

9.4

At a Corison, Mayacamas, and Heitz tasting. — 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Lean but pretty with roses and plums. Lifted and pretty. — 6 years ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Gunja Gargeshwari

9.3

Following the Mayacamas was going to be hard but it held its own. More of today’s style in winemaking but a balanced wine that will get better with age. — 6 years ago

with Amit and Norman

Garrett Oliver

9.1

1969 vintage at NoMad DTLA, January 30. Very dark, fragrant, nice tertiary notes of tobacco but still vibrant. Super cool at 12%. — 6 years ago