2009 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Medium red. Wild, musky aromas of currant, game and licorice; a bit less black and more evolved than the estate's flagship wine. Offers moderate mid-palate density and flesh but an enticing sweetness to the flavors of currant, game and minerals. Finishes with dusty tannins and a hint of unabsorbed acidity but good juicy lift. More refined than some past vintages of this wine, which is now generally made from a certain section of the vineyard but can also include declassified barrels from other parts of the estate.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Tanbark Hill is a rich, voluptuous wine graced with layers of expressive fruit, smoke and tobacco. It shows quite a bit of depth for this bottling. Licorice, crushed flowers, spices and mint wrap around the plush, inviting finish. This is all elegance and class. In 2009 one-third of the production was bottled as Tanbark Hill.
The 2009 Tanbark Hill is a rich, voluptuous wine graced with layers of expressive fruit, smoke and tobacco. It shows quite a bit of depth for this bottling. Licorice, crushed flowers, spices and mint wrap around the plush, inviting finish. This is all elegance and class. In 2009 one-third of the production was bottled as Tanbark Hill. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. This is a breathtaking set of wines from Philip, Birgitta and Lisa Togni. Philip Togni hardly needs an introduction to lovers of fine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 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 winery is very much a family affair, with Birgitta and, increasingly, Lisa Togni running the show. On an earlier visit this year I tasted the 1987, a wine that remains dazzling for its purity. From time to time Togni releases a small amount of wines from their library, usually at the 10th anniversary of an important vintage. I also tasted the 2008s, sleeper wines from an under-the-radar vintage that will thrill those who have the patience to cellar them. The Cabernet Sauvignon (here referred to as the Main Label) generally includes a dollop of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 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. Readers who want to learn more about the 2011 harvest at Togni may want to take a look at my video interview with Philip and Lisa Togni on www.erobertparker.com www.philiptognivineyard.com
About the producer
Perched at nearly 2,000 feet atop Spring Mountain, Philip Togni Vineyard is one of Napa Valley’s most revered small, family-run wineries. Established in the early 1980s by legendary winemaker Philip Togni, the estate has earned consistent critical acclaim for its age-worthy, Bordeaux-style blends.