Philip Togni
About Philip Togni
Philip Togni is a living legend who produced Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon 1969, "one of the most extraordinary California Cabernet Sauvignon” that Robert Parker has ever tasted. His eponymous winery hardly needs any introduction to lovers of fine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. There are very few wineries in the US like Philip Togni, whose wines have a classically Californian sense of independence but a decisively old-world sense of style.
Philip Togni was a former student of the great Émile Peynaud at the University of Bordeaux, where he was entranced by the perfumed, refined style of wines produced by the best of the Bordelais. Following his formative inspiration, his estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon follows this style to this day, and his wines have been consistently likened to Saint-Julien and Margaux's top-classed growths more so than fellow Napa neighbours.
Today, the winery is still in the capable hands of the Togni family - Philip's talented daughter Lisa Togni has taken charge of the estate's management. Sharing her father's aspiration, they continue to produce an unbroken string of world-class Margaux-styled Cabernets.
Philip Togni's Wines
The estate produces three wines only. The estate's flagship wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, is a very age-worthy Margaux-type blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Tanbark Hill Vineyard Cabernet is made from certain Cabernet Sauvignon blocks of our vineyard and is a wine that is more approachable when young. Finally, Ca’ Togni is a very sweet red wine inspired by Constantia, the great South African wine of the 19th century. It has always been made from our small planting of the rare table grape Black Hamburgh.
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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California | 1 | 94 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£1,241.95 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is quite a bit nervier than I recall from previous tastings. That won’t be an issue for readers who can wait. Dried herbs, mocha, graphite and incense build nicely in the glass. My impression is that the 2008 is going through a phase of reticence. Some previous bottles have been much more expressive. That is certainly not the case here, but it is a reminder of the uniquely human quality of artisan wines. They can have their moods. I look forward to tasting this again in a few years’ time. |
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California | 1 | 95+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,360.26 |
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Wine Advocate (95+)The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is stunningly beautiful and seductive in its red fruit, mint and tobacco. This is a surprisingly accessible vintage for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Today it looks like an excellent choice for readers who want to explore the wines of this iconic producer – as long as it doesn’t close down in bottle. Togni’s 2009 is notable for its exceptional elegance, finesse and pedigree. There is plenty of Spring Mountain structure, but today the 2009 is disarmingly sexy and radiant for such a young wine. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. |
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California | 1 | 97 (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£809.15 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97)Taking lots of air to show at its best, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a brilliant, classic, age-worthy wine from this great estate. It certainly shows the more structured, vibrant style of the 2018 vintage with lively acids, yet it has utterly classic Cabernet crème de cassis and almost blue fruits as well as Bordeaux-like notes of lead pencil, cedarwood, tobacco, and assorted floral nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it brings rock-solid intensity, perfectly ripe yet building, firm tannins, and again, the vintage's freshness, purity, and elegance. It reminds me of a top Saint-Julien and is a classic, old school, structured Cabernet that will reward bottle age. It needs 7-8 years to hit maturity (it's approachable today with a healthy decant), and I have no doubt this will be a 30- to 40-year wine. |
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California | 1 | 96-99 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£566.75 |
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Vinous (96-99)The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is off the charts. What a wine. The 2019 captures all the Togni signatures, but with both more fruit richness and energy than is the norm. A Cabernet of gravitas and consequence, the 2019 is shaping up to be one of the wines of the year. Black cherry, plum, graphite, spice and incense build into the palate-staining finish. The 2019 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, all co-fermented. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. All I can say is: Wow! |
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California | 2 | 98+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,135.50 |
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Wine Advocate (98+)Possibly the best wine produced here since the terrific 2001 or 1991, Togni's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes across as rather cool and fresh, with gentle grace notes of mountain sage lending nuance to the predominantly red-berried fruit, tinged with cassis, mint and cedar. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and firm, with silky tannins and refreshing acids providing ample structure and amplifying the lingering, elegant finish. |
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California | 1 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£959.21 |
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Vinous (92)The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill is soft, succulent and inviting, all of which make it a super-appealing wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. The radiance and fruit intensity of the year comes through nicely, and yet the wine retains its classic, mid-weight sense of structure and overall feel. Crushed flowers and sweet spice add lift in this gracious, pretty wine from Togni. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
California | 1 | 94 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£995.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is quite a bit nervier than I recall from previous tastings. That won’t be an issue for readers who can wait. Dried herbs, mocha, graphite and incense build nicely in the glass. My impression is that the 2008 is going through a phase of reticence. Some previous bottles have been much more expressive. That is certainly not the case here, but it is a reminder of the uniquely human quality of artisan wines. They can have their moods. I look forward to tasting this again in a few years’ time. |
|||||||||
|
|
California | 1 | 95+ (WA) |
In Bond
£1,095.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95+)The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is stunningly beautiful and seductive in its red fruit, mint and tobacco. This is a surprisingly accessible vintage for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Today it looks like an excellent choice for readers who want to explore the wines of this iconic producer – as long as it doesn’t close down in bottle. Togni’s 2009 is notable for its exceptional elegance, finesse and pedigree. There is plenty of Spring Mountain structure, but today the 2009 is disarmingly sexy and radiant for such a young wine. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. |
|||||||||
|
|
California | 1 | 97 (JD) |
In Bond
£655.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)Taking lots of air to show at its best, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a brilliant, classic, age-worthy wine from this great estate. It certainly shows the more structured, vibrant style of the 2018 vintage with lively acids, yet it has utterly classic Cabernet crème de cassis and almost blue fruits as well as Bordeaux-like notes of lead pencil, cedarwood, tobacco, and assorted floral nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it brings rock-solid intensity, perfectly ripe yet building, firm tannins, and again, the vintage's freshness, purity, and elegance. It reminds me of a top Saint-Julien and is a classic, old school, structured Cabernet that will reward bottle age. It needs 7-8 years to hit maturity (it's approachable today with a healthy decant), and I have no doubt this will be a 30- to 40-year wine. |
|||||||||
|
|
California | 1 | 96-99 (VN) |
In Bond
£453.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96-99)The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is off the charts. What a wine. The 2019 captures all the Togni signatures, but with both more fruit richness and energy than is the norm. A Cabernet of gravitas and consequence, the 2019 is shaping up to be one of the wines of the year. Black cherry, plum, graphite, spice and incense build into the palate-staining finish. The 2019 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, all co-fermented. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. All I can say is: Wow! |
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|
|
California | 2 | 98+ (WA) |
In Bond
£1,741.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98+)Possibly the best wine produced here since the terrific 2001 or 1991, Togni's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes across as rather cool and fresh, with gentle grace notes of mountain sage lending nuance to the predominantly red-berried fruit, tinged with cassis, mint and cedar. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and firm, with silky tannins and refreshing acids providing ample structure and amplifying the lingering, elegant finish. |
|||||||||
|
|
California | 1 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£758.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill is soft, succulent and inviting, all of which make it a super-appealing wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. The radiance and fruit intensity of the year comes through nicely, and yet the wine retains its classic, mid-weight sense of structure and overall feel. Crushed flowers and sweet spice add lift in this gracious, pretty wine from Togni. |
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