David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nice evolution and well integrated. 92 that pushes 93.

The other wine from the great Napa producer, Philip Togni.

The mouthfeel is supple, round, soft, yet meaty and tarry tannins. Ripe, juicy, rich; blackberries, baked plum for days, dark cherries, black raspberries, hues of raspberries & boysenberries. Black licorice, berry cola, muddy, volcanic clay, herbaceous notes, soft baking spices, slightly, melted chocolate, dark spice with a touch of heat, coffee, dry crushed, rocks, dry stem, dry tobacco, new leather, oak to cedar shavings, volcanic ash, dark, slightly withering, red, blue flowers framed in a field of endless violets, rainfall acidity, great balance, nice tension/structure and a smartly polished finish that last a full minute.

If you own, I would drink over the next 3-4 years before it starts to slide.

Photos of; Philip Togni vineyard, barrel room, vineyard soil & Philip Togni and his daughter Lisa. — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.9

Vintage 1989 | 3/4 transparant, Italian rooftiles brown rim. A very intense bouquet: cedar, forrest wood, laurel, flint, cherries, só multi layered you tend to smell endless. Powerful taste, prominent bitters, still too young imo, the taste comes together with the entrecôte, awesome harmony. A benchmark for wine lovers. Fine that HB delivers to mark a special moment! I bought this when my daughter was born | at restaurant Pollevie — 3 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.4

From 0,375l.
So unique, so rare. Equally thick, concentrated and complex.
What a privilege to savour this elixir.
Dark nuances of dried fruit (dates, raisins), mocha, spicebox, orange marmelade, earlgrey tea and honeysuckle.
Endless finish....
Heartwarming and humbling...
A wine for contemplation. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 7 months ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.7

Mind-boggling confectionary aromas; part cotton candy, part spiced treat in a Moroccan bazaar. Then citrus, quince and vanilla cream. Palate is pure energy. Ripping acid, endless concentration. The vinous equivalent of seeing god?

Need to check in… 15 years? — 3 years ago

Hanibal

9.4

wow....the lenght in this one is endless — 5 years ago

Raul Puga

9.3

So delicious. Paired perfectly with fresh Florida grouper. Yummm — a year ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.9

Awfully close to perfection. Best Merlot I’ve ever tasted by a mile, (this vintage is 100% merlot). This might be as close to a perfect wine I have ever tasted in all honestly. Full bodied. Polished with an exceptional texture. Rich. Plums, currants, graphite, olives, espresso, chocolate, pencil shavings. Silky tannins. Endless finish. It is not a cheap bottle by any means but I don’t understand why not more people are raving about this excellent producer. They make wines in such a unique way, combining the best characters of both Napa and Bordeaux. Wow. — a year ago

Stephen Mandy

9.3

This was a great surprise at first tight and closed in but with an hour of air opened into classic Pauilliac beauty. Cigar box nose deep juicy currant flavors and endless finish. Fourty years old and an average vintage - WOW — 4 years ago

Manny Abascal

9.5

1971. Bright gold color, wax with bit of petrol on nose, gorgeous silky palate with honey, lemon oil, and an endless finish. 30 minute decant helped to blow off some funk. Brilliant wine. — 4 years ago