Togni 2017/2019 Tanbark Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

[2017] The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill Vineyard is exotically ripe and soft, which makes it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years, give or take. Succulent red cherry, kirsch, pomegranate and spice all meld together in a rich, ripe Tanbark Hill that nevertheless retains its mid-weight sense of structure. Even so, in 2017, the Tanbark Hill is especially sensual and racy.

Score: 91 points -- Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 2018

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There are three owners of this estate, Birgitta and Philip Togni, recently joined by their daughter Lisa. Birgitta specializes in the vineyard.  Philip is a former student of Emile Peynaud at the University of Bordeaux where he earned the Diplôme National d'Oenologie many years ago while working as assistant Régisseur at Château Lascombes.  Lisa, who holds an MBA, with a background in the wine Trade, has done harvests at Château Léoville-Barton and in Australia. Her plan is to take over the business during the next few years.  The first vines of this well-known estate were planted at 2000 feet near the top of Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley in 1981.  Those phylloxera vulnerable rootstocks have now gone, replanted in the early nineties.  The first wines produced at the estate were Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc in 1983, but they now concentrate our efforts on producing very age worthy Margaux-type blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc and Petit Verdot.  The term, "Estate Bottled", is an important definition for the Togni team, meaning that they grow all the grapes on land they own and make and bottle their wines free from outside influences.  If you are not familiar with the Togni wines, this is a great opportunity to some excellent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons that have tremendous ageing potential.