1997 Philip Togni Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon [WA98][V97][JG95][D94]

Producer: Philip Togni  
Region: Napa Valley, California 
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Year: 1997 

Wine Advocate, 98 Points 

"The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon has to be one of the great buys left for profound Napa Cabernet... Brilliant notes of cedar, spice box, cassis, smoke, and licorice soar from the glass, as if this wine were pretending to be a first-growth Pauillac. Full-bodied, powerful, still with a boatload of tannin to resolve, and just a faint lightening of the dense purple color at the rim, this is a brilliant wine from a vintage that produced relatively quick-evolving wines, but no such thing is tolerated at Philip Togni. This is a great Cabernet Sauvignon with the exuberance, purity, and richness of fruit that Napa provides, but with a Bordeaux structure that Togni, with his Bordeaux upbringing, somehow builds into the wine. This wine will continue to drink well for at least another 30+ years." 

Vinous, 97 Points

"I have always adored Togni's 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate because it captures both the natural intensity of the year and the vibrancy that makes these wines so compelling. Powerful and explosive, with huge density, the 1997 hits the palate with waves of dark fruit intermingled with savory herb, charcoal, tobacco and grilled herb overtones. Even with all of its intensity, the 1997 has enough textural richness to drink for another 10-15 years, maybe more, as there is still quite a bit of structure and tannin. Hints of cedar, tobacco, crushed leaves and game add the closing shades of nuance." 

John Gilman, 95 Points 

"The 1997 cabernet sauvignon from Philip Togni is one of my absolute favorites from him in the decade of the 1990s. The bouquet is really starting to blossom and show a great core of blossoming mountain fruit, as it delivers a fine blend of sweet cassis and black cherries, tobacco leaf, just a whisper of the chipotles to come, cigar smoke, fresh herbs, dark soil tones, a bit of currant leaf and a deft framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with a rock solid core, ripe, resolving tannins and great grip on the very long and perfectly poised finish." 

Decanter, 94 Points 

"Alluring black currant fruit is enveloped by the most decadent turned-earth and dark soil notes, followed by a pop of spearmint. Full-bodied with a lovely sweetness of fruit that swirls around dried dage, crushed and toasted walnuts, and cedarwood. Long and lingering notes of cocoa powder, graphite, and flamed blood orange bring intrigue and complexity to this delectable Cabernet, which has another decade of life in it." 

Alcohol: 11-14% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.