1992 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate remains an epic wine for the Togni family. At the time, the estate consisted of seven acres of red grapes, most of it Cabernet Sauvignon, with just a touch of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, plus smaller pieces of Sauvignon Blanc and a few blocks that were under development. The 1992 was made from the original plantings, prior to a virus outbreak that led to extensive replanting that followed. Yields were not particularly low, and yet the impression is a wine marked by notable ripeness and concentration. Rich and flamboyant to the core, the 1992 is at an absolute peak of its expression. Dark-toned fruit, spice, leather, tobacco, scorched earth and dried herbs infuse the 1992 with striking textural intensity. I don't see any upside from cellaring the 1992 further; in fact, it would be a shame to miss the 1992 at this stage. “This is a vintage we very rarely taste," Philip Togni shared. "At the time, I was in charge, and I accidentally oversold the wine, so all we have left is a few bottles and magnums." Togni's reference point remains Pauillac. For me, the dark profile and savory intensity are more like Saint-Estèphe but dialed up with a good dose of California sunshine. Either way, this is a truly remarkable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

This small 10-acre estate situated high on Spring Mountain produces some of the most distinctive Napa Valley wines. Since bottling, the 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon continues to display the remarkable richness and opulence it possessed from cask. The wine offers a saturated dark purple color, a jammy, plum, black-cherry, herb, and spice-scented nose, expansive, chewy, full-bodied flavors, superb depth, moderate tannin, low acidity, and a blockbuster finish. It should drink well for more than two decades. Togni's Cabernet Sauvignon, generally made from a Bordeaux-like blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, and aged 22 months in small French oak casks of which 25-40% are new, is one of the richest, most complex Cabernets made in California. Every time I have the opportunity to go back and taste an older vintage I am impressed with the complex aromatics the wine develops. How reassuring it is to see these Cabernets become even more impressive with bottle age. The first Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon vintage was 1983, a wine that remains not only young, but one of the top wines from this unimpressive vintage for most other Napa wineries. The upcoming releases look to be sensational, with the 1992 now being released, and the 1993 in a year. Togni has been a long-time believer in not acidifying and his wines are never filtered at bottling. Tel. (707) 963-3731; Fax (707) 963-9186