Spencer Fox

9.2

second time trying this vintage. after being able to brace myself for that signature lardot acidity, which verges on violent, i came to enjoy this a lot more. herbal stuff starts jumping out after about 45 min or so. texturally very exciting as well. miles away from classic but that's the real beauty here. — a month ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.4

This bottle was sooooo much better than the 2016. Killer balance. Perfectly developed flavors and nose. Giving Bdx a run for its money. — 2 months ago

Bradley Randel

9.0

Great for the price — 5 months ago

Kim Gerarden

9.7

Very smooth enjoyable mellow flavors — 6 months ago

Tim Lee

9.0

Light body. Tropical fruit — 24 days ago

Guy Acheson

9.2

Fresh, tart, red fruit. Great with fish. — a month ago

Stu

9.4

Delicious on return from NZ — 4 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.5

Vintage 2018 | purple red colour, dark colour. Distinguished smell with tones of tobacco, morellocherries. Charming wine with creaminess, character, powerfull taste and nice bitters in aftertaste. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a somewhat translucent (fine sediment), near opaque core fading out to a garnet with a slightly watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with pretty significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of plums, cassis, dark cherries tobacco, some leather, some faint pyrazines, dried purple flowers, clay-like earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and luxurious with soft and attractive texture. Initial conclusions is this could be a Merlot, or Bordeaux-based blend from France, USA or Italy but since I seem to get more non-fruit characteristics, I’m calling this a Merlot-based blend from France, Bordeaux, Right-bank, St. Émilion, 2000 vintage. Whoa! 2005 Togni! Dang…this baby has some real Bordeaux sensibilities. Delicious stuff that is drinking very well right now. Apparently, this bottle had been opened the night before so it had plenty of time to breathe. I would expect well cellared examples should drink well through 2035. — a month ago

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