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 — 4 years ago

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. — 5 years ago

with Amit and Norman

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.

— 6 years ago

Jen El

9.2

Had at mayacamas with AJ and anna — 7 years ago

Sarah Stierch

Food & Wine Editor Sonoma Valley Sun

8.9

To the cellar it will go. Big wine. — 8 years ago

Matthew Beckman

9.4

Bravo Cali!!! Along with Mayacamas cab and Apples, pears and Carmel notes. Great acidity remaining. — 8 years ago

W Jack Plants II

9.5

A very sophisticated and rare Cabernet for California. 80% Cab Sauv, 8% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot & 4% Cab Franc. This is a wine to study while you drink it. — 9 years ago

Tegan Passalacqua

Winemaker Turley Wine Cellars, Sandlands; Founder Historic Vineyard Society

10

Mount Veeder Zinfandel.
I really wish Mayacammas would continue the tradition of amazing mountain Zinfandel from the southern tip of the Mayacamas.

— 9 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Lean but pretty with roses and plums. Lifted and pretty. — 5 years ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Loren Loftesnes

9.2

This is a fantastic wine that is definitely underrated — 5 years ago

with Rosita

Nickie Curry

9.2

Dinner with Greg for bday, it was really good — 5 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.2

Better than the 85 mayacamas but still sliding downward. 5 years past it’s prime. Don’t wait — 6 years ago

with David

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Industrialist James D. Zellerbach acquired the 200 acre Hanzell estate on the Mayacamas slopes above the town of Sonoma in 1948, and in 1952 he planted 2 acres of Pinot Noir and 4 acres of Chardonnay on the site. Aromas of red fruits and floral scents. On the palate cherry and sweet citrus with cacao and oak notes. Smooth tannins, lingering, with great balance ending with earthy mineral tones. Something Special. — 7 years ago

Rob Marini

9.5

High acid and food friendly, soft chewy tannins with a classic red fruit and green pepper personality. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

What a wine!!! Mayacamas fruit, at 2640 elevation. 275 case offering. Poured a purple color in the glass with a dense youthful blackberry pie nose. The entry shows youthful chalkiness. Dense and thick. Beautiful now, expressing rather early on the palate but probably more of my kind of wine in a couple of years when this wine integrates a bit more. Finishes with lighter black pepper (provoked with pot roast). Youthful oak barrel tannin. QUITE enjoyable. QPR is quite nice as I don't think this one was north of 50 bucks. — 7 years ago

Devin Bostick

8.9

Easy drinking, light-medium body, weird cherry taste and bite around center of sip, sweetness, low tannin kind of tarragony. — 8 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

Cloud's Nest Vineyard, as the name suggests is perched 1,500 feet above sea level in the Mayacamas mountain range. Gravelly soils further limit the vines' growth and the aromatics are striking. Earth and forest floor, wild mushrooms, underbrush, warm leather and soy. The palate echoes this high-altitude Cab's woodsy aromatics, with a medium-bodied countenance and a nimble vein of acidity that amplifies black cherries and cedar, and on the finish dried sage and anise. 14.2% ABV | Sample
— 8 years ago

Scott Barber

Wine Educator Meadowood Napa Valley

9.3

Eastside / Westside '05 showdown. Mayacamas vs. Vacas. — 9 years ago

Michael Kvasnicka

9.5

Well that's amazing. — 9 years ago

G G

9.9

My grandfather bought this when it was released... Note the price tag $10.50! — 11 years ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.4

Still very complete. Elegant with focus and grip. Belies it’s age. Mountain fruit, bramble, menthol and coating, fine tannin. — 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. — 5 years ago

with Gregory

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%. — 5 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

More like great White BDX than Napa — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

The Terraces is named after a section of the Mayacamas estate that is, surprise surprise, terraced. This Chard is rich, tropical and delicious but not at all heavy. A treat to try. — 6 years ago

with Eric

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring. — 7 years ago

Ryan M

9.2

Mayacamas and Chinese food - yes! Very red, not inky, needed about an hour to open up. @tricyclewine — 8 years ago

Josh Weinstein

9.2

Solid wine thru and thru. Better with an 2 hours decanting — 8 years ago

with Kristen

Bill Bender

9.5

I came for dessert and I'm so thankful I did. This is a tremendously vibrant and exhilarating wine. Honeyed fruit and kumquat. Late late WOTN. — 9 years ago

with romo, Max and 1 other

Punky Mahle

9.7

Vertical tasting - lived this multi vintage Gamay and the Merlot was a lovely surprise! — 11 years ago