Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate never ceases to impress. Bold and explosive in the glass, it offers up a heady mix of dark fruit infused with espresso, menthol, sage, incense, tobacco and pine. I admire its mix of ripe fruit and supporting structure. At nearly 30 years of age, the 1995 is in a great spot where it offers tons of complexity and yet is still so vital.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Philip Togni is one of California’s most foresighted winemakers, holding back a small amount of wine and releasing it at age ten. This year, small quantities of the 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate were released, and, as I almost invariably do, I rated it higher than I did initially. It is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon that apparently turns to Bordeaux for elegance, structure, and complexity, yet retains Napa’s extraordinarily sweet, rich, concentrated fruit. This profound 1995 still tastes like an adolescent. For my palate, it will benefit from another 4-5 years of bottle age, and should last easily for another 20-25 years. It is unquestionably one of California’s as well as the world’s greatest Cabernet Sauvignons.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains sits the Spring Mountain District.
A dynamic region, its vineyards, cut by numerous springs and streams, vary in elevation, slope and aspect. Soils differ throughout with over 20 distinct types inside of the 8,600 acres that define the appellation. Within that area, only about 1,000 are planted to vineyards. Predominantly farmed by small, independent producers, the region currently has just over 30 wineries.
During the growing season, late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes reach the Spring Mountain vineyards, which sit at between 400 and 1,200 feet. Daytime temperatures during mid summer and early fall remain slightly cooler than those of the valley floor.
Spring Mountain soils—volcanic matter and sedimentary rock—create intense but balanced reds with lush and delicate tannins. The area excels with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and in some cooler spots, Chardonnay.