I managed to get my hands on a couple cases of the coveted 2019 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon, one of only 6 wines highlighted in Wine Spectator's "Wonder Years" feature (see above, pictured alongside Colgin and Schrader). The subject of a rave review, this is exceedingly fresh news - the magazine's still arriving at newstands and in mailboxes, and the online article on Togni just went live 36 hours ago.
Why is this a big deal? It got 96 points. Want to see how its price stacks up against other Napa Cabs that got 96 points?
2019 Scarecrow: $800-900
2019 Colgin Tychson Hill: $850
2019 Lokoya Spring Mtn District: $448
2019 Lokoya Mount Veeder: $437
2019 Schrader RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon: $350-450
2019 Philip Togni: Only $160! (And only $144 on 6!)
No one's saying $160's chump change. but as relative values go? This is a freakish anomaly, an absolutely killer Cabernet for over 80% off the price of some of its peers!
And Wine Spectator wasn't an outlier; Vinous Magazine also gave it a 96, calling it a "classy, sophisticated wine that shows the more restrained side of the year and this site. Bright acids, red-toned fruit, dried herbs, mint and silky tannins convey finesse more than power. I especially admire the aromatics; I can't wait to see how this ages."
That old rascal Robert Parker gave it a 95, writing, "The 2019 is a classic Togni wine, meant to be laid down for at least a decade and capable of aging well for 20 years beyond that in a cool cellar. Hints of green olive and thyme add savory nuance to the cassis and raspberry and shadings on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated into a dense, streamlined shape that throws off waves of dusty tannins, buffered by hints of cedar and vanilla, with lingering cassis notes on the finish."
Our tiny parcel (there's not much of this made to begin with!) arrives next week; please reply here with your total request! One bottle will set you back $160: a steal for a Napa Cab of this pedigree! But buy 6, and get them for $144... the best price in the state by far!
