Philip Togni "Tanbark Hill Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [DM 95] [WS 93] [VM 93] [TWI 91]

About the Winery:

There are few winemakers still living with the kind of history that Philip Togni has under his belt. Long before his eponymous winery was even conceived, he was crafting some of the most iconic wines in California. After a year at Mayacamas (1959), he became the founding winemaker for Chalone, worked at Inglenook for a year, became the founding winemaker for Chappellet (producing the acclaimed 1969 Cabernet Sauvignon that is still regarded as one of the greatest ever produced in California), and finally at finished out the 1970’s at Cuvaison.

In 1981, while still employed at Cuvaison, Philip began planting his own vineyard on Spring Mountain and it is here that he has cemented his legacy. Starting with the 1983 vintage he has produced an unbroken string of world class wines; age-worthy, classic, and incredible. Although Philip is still very involved, since 2007, his daughter Lisa has taken the lead more and more. The good news is that she shares her father’s gift for winemaking and shows no interest in changing anything at this venerable estate. 

The Estate vineyard at Togni is 10.5 acres (divided into 20 blocks) planted to 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vines are co-planted and the wine is co-fermented. The soils are a mix of rocky volcanic and clay.

From this single vineyard Philip and Lisa produce three wines: the flagship Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a second label Cabernet Sauvignon, Tanbark Hill, and a rare dessert wine, Ca’ Togni. The Cabernet Sauvignons are made using barrel selection and are otherwise handled exactly the same. All fruit is 100% destemmed, fermented in stainless steel and aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. At this point the decision is made of which lots are blended into the “Estate Cabernet” and the “Tanbark Hill”. The Ca’ Togni is a wine unique to Napa, made from Black Hamburgh, Togni’s quarter acre of vines produce an aromatic, concentrated, sweet red wine unlike anything else we have come across. A true estate, the wines are made, bottled, and stored just feet away from the vineyard.

About this Wine:

The second label from Philip Togni Vineyard, "Tanbark Hill" comes from the same 10.5-acre estate vineyard as their eponymous wine and receives the same impeccable care in the cellar (20 months in 40% new French oak). The wine generally consists of fruit harvested from a 3-acre block (planted to 99% Cabernet Sauvignon) which has slightly richer soils. Added to the wine made from this block are barrels destined for the Estate bottling that are deemed more suitable for earlier drinking. 

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Tasted with Lisa and Philip Togni in their winery atop Spring Mountain in February of 2024. The Tanbark Hill was bottled in June of 2023. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged up to 20 months. The tannins are quite assertive at this young stage, in classic Spring Mountain Togni fashion, with a fine granularity about them. The wine feels quite complete, teeming with pure dark berry fruits and very fresh. Deeply mineral-tinged dark berries and black currants are framed by a wine with noticeable coiled-up energy and tension. It’s mostly mouthfeel at this stage and will soften with a few more years. Drink from 2025. (Drink between 2025-2060)" - Jonathan Cristaldi (Feb 2024)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This offers a typical Spring Mountain bouquet of red currant and red cherry notes laced liberally with potpourri, cast iron and bramble hints, while savory and menthol accents in the background add a fresh edge. Not shy on grip through the finish. Best from 2025 through 2035. 610 cases " - James Molesworth (Sep 2023)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill Vineyard is one of the most potent vintages of this wine I can remember tasting. Dense and textured, the 2021 shows ample dark fruit and complex earthy/savory undertones that add balance. The 2021 benefits from the addition of some excess fruit that would have been used in the main label but that, for practical purposes, ended up in the tanks for the Tanbark Hill. Readers will find a wine of breadth, power and character. In this vintage, the Tanbark Hill gives a very good idea of the quality and style of the Grand Vin. (Drink between 2026-2036)" - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2023)

91 Points - The Wine Independent:
"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Tanbark Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon skips out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of black raspberries, redcurrants, and cassis leading to hints of pencil lead, menthol, and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is soft and refreshing, with bags of energetic red and black berry layers, finishing with a savory lift. " - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Jun 2024)