2015 Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain Napa Valley 750 ml

A 96-Point Ode to Restraint and Structure

Philip Togni’s harvest experience at Bordeaux’s Château Léoville-Barton and study under the watchful eye of Émile Peynaud were enough to set him on the path that he is still on to this very day. Because ever since the first vintage that he crafted on Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain, way back in 1983, Togni has had the confidence of his convictions to craft wines that, no matter what the prevailing fashion of the times may have been in Napa, are structured, detailed, and as age-worthy as any in the entire country.

Take this 2015, for example. The heat of the growing season allowed plenty of producers to put the proverbial pedal to the metal and bottle wines of unfettered power. Togni, however, took a different path, and his 2015 estate Cabernet turned out to be one of the most elegant, balanced Cabs we’ve tasted. “This has loads of character and range, showing vigorous, savory-edged cut,” praised Wine Spectator in its 96-point review. Wine Advocate, also awarding it 96 points, loved its “very classic nose of cassis, warm plums and crushed blackberries with notions of cigar box, garrigue, damp soil and truffles plus wafts of menthol and underbrush.”

We agree with both, but most impressive of all to us is how Togni has avoided fashion, shied away from trendiness, and simply did what he always has: Craft a wine of accuracy, balance, and longevity. That’s the Togni way. It has been since 1983.