Continues to be stunning! No change from the bottles of 3/3/2024, 6/2/2023, and 1/14/2923, so, rather than repeat myself, I'll just refer you to the full descriptions there.
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I really love this wine. Stunning even immediately after opening-- blueberries, black tea, black cherries, pomegranates, black olives, a hint of tannin, and toasted walnuts, with wonderful richness and immediacy, and a strikingly long and rich aftertaste. Over the next hour and a quarter, blackberries, orange peel, fruitcake, cocoa, black plums, roses, a touch of fennel, and a flash of red apples all joined in, as the aftertaste got longer and longer with a distinct note of raspberries a little before the end. This is just gorgeous. [Tasted over not quite three hours from the Jancis Robinson glass. I gave this bottle about two weeks upright to allow the sediment to settle out.]
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This bottle was a bit wilder on the palate (perhaps a bit of brett) than the last one I opened, but still showing amazing depth and complexity. It a classy wine drinking very well now.
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Holiday Champagne Gala (Wilmette Harbor Club): Tasted at gala alongside 1997. Firm from start-to-finish making it seem slightly austere, but with good+ depth and power. Some richness on finish. At its peak.
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No notes taken. Three 1992 Napa wines side-by-side. All three displayed that the vintage is currently in an amazing spot: open, intense and expressive, highly layered with a good portion of primary fruit mixed with tertiary aromas, herbs and minerality, soft and round but with good tension and good freshness. The Caymus Special Selection (97pts) was the most layered and exciting wine with lots of spiciness. But I think this will be even better in 10 years when it will be more tertiary and lose a bit of the quite intensive fruit aromas. The Togni (96pts) was the most Bordeaux-esque in the line-up, so clear and clean without any of the excess the Caymus still has. This bottle wasn‘t quite as sharp and layered as the last one a few months ago (rated 98pts) but only got better with air and was reached its peak on day two. The Eisele (94pts) had some signs of decline on the nose but was drinking well on the palate, tertiary the core but with enough ripe fruit to still be exciting.
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Pure magic. A few weeks back we had the 1991 (rated 97pts) which showed me what heights these 90s Togni can achieve and just when you think it couldn‘t get any better, this 1992 comes and blows the competition away. So complex, seductive and sophisticated, a world of tertiary aromas balanced by fine dark fruit and this absolute highlight, a laser sharp precision and purity. Wow, just wow.
TN: Unbelievable nose, nutty, herbs, minty, dark fruit. Then tobacco and truffles. Wow on the palate. So smooth, textured, layered. Dark fruit, tobacco, truffles, minerality, nutty notes, herbs. All in Ultra HD. Amazing. So smooth and soft, seductive and satin-like yet without a shred of extra weight. Long and expanding finish.
Decanting: Decanted for an hour, back in the bottle and consumed two hours later. Worked perfect.
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Tasted blind. This felt and tasted deceptively like a grand, aged Bordeaux (I guess Lynch Bages 1990). Fres, green herbs of eucalyptus, earth and tobacco notes, mushrooms and earth with a tarty, perfectly precise fruit. Harmonious and elegant with intensity and depth to it, structure and great tension. Spectacular and what a step-up from the 1991.
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Gorgeous. Blackberries, lemon peel, tobacco, spices, black cherries, thyme, leather, flowers, cocoa, black olives, and more. Incredibly long aftertaste, with notes of chocolate, thyme, and rosemary. Rich, vivid, and welcoming. Just an amazing wine. For more detail, see my notes of 1/14/2023 and 9/4/2022. [Tasted over five hours from the Jancis Robinson glass.]
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This bottle had a pretty significantly depressed cork. Double decanted for sediment, then poured into Grassl 1855s. Holy smokes - what a beautiful wine. From memory: plum fruit, cherries, coffee, graphite, and baking spice. For my palate, this is Napa cabernet at its apogee.
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Milan Wine Event 2 - AKA F It Dinner (Il Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala (Ristorante Trussardi by Giancarlo Perbellini), Milan): Its been 4 years since we crossed paths with this old friend and another reminder of the beauty of early 90s Napa classicists from average vintages. Cabernet Sauvignon personified a friend of us said and indeed for us it was just that. Pepper, dark fruits, quite a bit of weight. It suffered because it followed the Uber elegant 96 Mouton ( Papies 98) and felt a bit brash but we look beyond it. For lovers of old school evolved Napa from times before they overdid everything this is an experience. Excellent once again. 95
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2023 Napa in the City: Gala Dinner (The Pool in NYC): This was just rocking and gave me a bit of a tinge that we didn’t make the dinner the night before where it was a bunch of old Tognis. This was wonderful. At the time I was pretty sure it should be a contender for WOTN but I hadn’t had its brother the ‘89 yet. Very classy old world style with new world fruit and age. Baking spices abound. Delicious.
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Spectacular from the moment the bottle was opened. Intense blackberries, pomegranates, tobacco, leather, black cherries, blueberries, black olives, coffee, spices, cocoa, red apples, and vanilla, as well as the faintest hint of roses, with raspberries joining in on the gorgeous and extremely long aftertaste. Gracious and elegant, nothing heavy-handed here. This is a fabulous wine. (Tasted over an hour and a half from both the Conterno and Jancis Robinson glasses--the Conterno glass brought out a little more sweetness and floral notes, while the Jancis Robinson glass brought out more balance and structure--but these are the most microscopic of differences--the essential wine was really the same in both.) See also my notes from 10/18/20, 12/4/21, and 9/4/22. I initially scored this at 96 points, but at the end of the hour and a half raised the score to 97. I'm not sure whether it was the wine that had improved, or if the change was in my appreciation of the wine. No hurry at all on this one.
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This has been strikingly different each time I've tasted it (see 12/4/21 and 10/18/20). The explanation could be bottle variation, but I strongly suspect that what I've been experiencing is a wine gradually emerging from hibernation. This time it was just stunning. Fragrant tobacco, ripe black plums, black moroccan olives, minerals, herbs (thyme? marjoram? rosemary?), a hint of ripe blackberry, smoke, chocolate, tart cherries, coffee, graphite, and a long, long, astonishingly vivid, and richly tobacco-infused aftertaste. This is an utterly great wine. Spectacular from the moment the bottle was opened. Should be fine for at least another five years and probably much longer. [Tasted from both the Jancis Robinson glass and the Riedel Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon glass. My experiences with the two glasses were different in minor details but not in my overall reaction to to the wine.]
An evening with Kevin Shin (Virginia): After nearly 20 years (in bottle), truly fun to drink, with eucalyptus, mint and herbal aspects. About as far and away from a ripe blockbuster Cab as you can get, and although lacking the complexity of a superior wine, it was vibrant on the palate, with freshness, delivered in smooth tannin. I recall the alcohol being 12.3%
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Expressive nose displaying concentrated black fruit with a hint of red, crème de cassis, blackberry concentrate, plum, a hint of cherry, ash, smoke, noticeable green/pyrazine, lead pencil, leather, that I associate with an old school cal cab, eucalyptus and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of concentrated black fruit, unctuous and rich, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish with smoke and green at the end. It is both ripe and green which is really fascinating.
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This is an exceptional wine. Especially for the price. I know professional, but I presume it’s reaching the end of its best drinking window.
Red fruit on the nose, with a bit of barnyard notes. Maybe even musty, but it doesn’t offend. It is extremely smooth in the mouth with plenty of acidity, but not overpowering.
For a 30 year old Napa Valley cab, just really good grape juice
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Just gorgeous, and probably only just beginning to hit its peak. Immediately after opening, it's a bit light and acidic (but still lovely). After 30-40 minutes in the glass, it fills out into a stunning wine that explodes in the mouth, with black cherries, plums, minerals, flowers, cocoa, thyme, orange peel, wisps of tobacco now and then, and an amazing long long and intense aftertaste. Should be beautiful for another seven years and probably much longer.
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Cork in pristine shape. Still tight and tense at age 29. Cassis and redcurrant flavors. Plenty of acidity and fine grained tannins. This feels like it has lots of coiled up energy but after 4 hours in decanter, it still was not quite ready to come out yet.
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Gorgeous slightly green text book Cal cab nose displaying concentrated black fruit with a hint of red, crème de cassis, blackberry, plum, noticeable Cab franc like green, lead pencil, caramel, cedar, ash and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of concentrated rich black fruit, unctuous and deeply toned but also silky and fluid, medium acidity, strong earthy mineral, still noticeable but non obtrusive tannins and a long concentrated black fruit driven finish with ash and earth at the end. Once again, it is both ripe and green. Drinking really well but there is enough fruit to last for a couple more decades.
This pours deep ruby in the glass with light bricking on the rim. The nose is expressive and complex showing a very classical nose. Intense notes of graphite, celery seed, plum, blackberry, old leather, green tobacco leaf, cedar cigar box, and crushed rock. The palate is lush and beautiful showing loads of tobacco and deep rich plum on the long finish. What a fantastic wine.
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San Diego Superspeader 2021 (Solare Restaurant, Liberty Station, Point Loma, San Diego CA): En magnum, decanted. Clear dark garnet-blood red color. Gorgeous notes of blackberries, boysenberries, violets, roses, mocha, baking spices, horse sweat, stony soil, sweet earth. Full body, seamless, balanced, great structure, fully mature, still going strong. My #2, group's FIRST PLACE.
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Expressive nose displaying ripe black and red fruit, crème de cassis, plum, roasted tomato, a hint of green, rose, lead pencil, coffee, cedar, caramel and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of rich black fruit, quite dense and rich but also silk and polished, medium acidity, earthy mineral, nicely integrated tannins and a long sweet black fruit driven finish. Ripe California fruit and green Cabernet expressions coexist which is interesting. This is a great old school cab that is drinking beautifully.
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This is a gorgeous and graceful wine, beautifully balanced. The cork was in pretty good shape for a wine this old. Intense smells and flavors of cassis, flowers, black cherries, herbs, mocha, with a faint hint of vanilla and a bit of tannin, followed by a long, happy aftertaste--remarkably consistent from the first sniff to the final wisp of aftertaste, with no change over the course of nearly an hour in the glass. Would be perfect with roast lamb. If this bottle was typical, this should remain wonderful for at least 6 more years and probably longer.
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Lots of vegetation on the nose, more mint than anything, giving the palate a nice cool, crunchy freshness. Currant, spice, sweetly fruited, plush, but not really Napa styled either. Absolutely my kind of Cali Cab.
Medium garnet red with bricking edges. Well integrated nose with cherries, dirty cellar, earthiness and even a bit floral. Medium acidity (5.5/10) and medium bodied. Rounded and layered palate with dried cherries, forest floor, elegant and a hint of spice. Long finish. Drink till 2024.
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Philip Togni vertical (1983-96) (Chicago, IL): This wine is stunning. I've had it once before where it performed remarkably well, and again tonight where it was my favourite of the long 1983-96 vertical. It's as classic as cabernet can get -- the red fruit here is almost tart rather than sweet, there's just a slight hint of balancing pyrazine, and the nose also offers up a touch of earth and floral perfume. The palate is cool, with the acidity driving the fruit, rather than the other way around, and the red fruits here are of a tart nature. There's still some grippy tannins, but to my palate, this is ready to drink, though in no danger of falling apart anytime soon.
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We continue to sing praises to old school Napa from the 90s. For lovers of old school, evolved and soft Bordeaux with extra touch of ripeness nothing is better in our view. Decanted and served. To our friends who had it blind was a bit of a blend of aged Bordeaux and Cote Rotie. Soft, leather, healthy and still very much alive, round, soft smoky edge, nice purity and full of elegance. Has that lovely complexity on the palate that only an aged wine can show and without screaming delivers a master class of an experience. 95+ and we suggest one drinks this at this stage. We had this 5 years ago in Press in St Helena and we thought it was palmer 95...
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A tour de force - yet, it's still got room (and is likely) to improve. An elegant full body, the medium/dark ruby shows no sign of age. Plenty of fresh acidity with balancing structure. A pleasure, and one I'd like to encounter any time in the next 10 years. Excellent, and for my palate, just getting started.
PnP, served non-blind.
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From Magnum. Into neck fill. Gorgeous color. Only a teaspoon of sediment. The wine took about an hour to open fully. Layers of black and red fruits. Hints of cassis, tobacco, sweet Oak and black currant. 30+ second finish.
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The fill was into the neck and the cork was pristine; double decanted an hour before service. A pretty dark ruby core, turning towards garnet at the rim; no browning. Complex aromas of dried black fruits, crushed stone, pencil shavings, and cigar box, with hints of black truffle. Medium bodied, with a round texture, incredible precision and focus; a very genuine sense of joie de vivre on the long finish. This bottle was fully mature, and a joy to experience!
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This was fantastic. Still dense and rich showing classic Cali Cab lines with that woody cedary type of thing. Big yet pretty at the same time. There is a touch of an ash note on the nose so maybe a wee bit of brett has lingered along for the ride. There is still a lot of flesh on the bones here. Was a nice contrast to a lean classically styled '85 Cos opened soon after this one. Both great in their own way. Not really very lean at all and not showing a lot of oxidation. This has a ways to go but it's in a damn fine place right now. Has miles to go.
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Chicago Wine Flock...Don Serving So Many Great Blind Wines/Flights (Park Ridge, IL): Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a Lynch-Bages/ Togni flight. Very similar to the previous wine (which turned out to be Togni 1991), just slightly more firm and coarse, even with a sweeter note. Very good+ length. Probably upside from here. My 6th favorite of the flight, group's #5.
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My last Togni from 1992. The nose is strong on the tobacco with good fruit. The palate has less tobacco, but it is still present along with a restrained ripe cherry. Acidity is quite pronounced and tannins are relaxed. The finish is long. More elegant than powerful.
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Pop and pour from a magnum. Initially quite tight, cassis and plum with a hint of cab floral dust. With air, expressive nose displaying sweet dark fruit, cassis, cab floral perfume, a hint of leather, lead pencil, cedar and earth. Excellent concentration, nicely layered fruit, silky and a long sweet cassis driven finish. It is quite youthful in magnum format. Excellent showing as usual.
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Can you say Old School Napa? That cloudy plum color! Smell of dusty plum and faded rose petals, cooking spice and herb. Dried cherry, currant and waning plum mingle with toasty french oak. Silky smooth tannins and a smashing finish. Drink soon. BDX blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Blind, you would never guess California. The nose is dark fruit and green pepper,with pepper dominating. The palate shows ripe fruit, but there is bell pepper, cedar, mostly resolved tannins, long finish, and right on point. Delicious with our Flannery burgers
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Still looking quite youthful. Initially I got a fair amount of green pepper in the nose, but with a couple of hours pine needles, cedar and hickory smoke came into the mix. But that green pepper really comes in on the palate (in a very good) way, while subtle black cherry and raspberry flavors linger. Very old school. Terrific. 94/95
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Decanted for about 1.5 hours before dinner; Soaring aromatics, with a blend of bell pepper, fresh herbs and cassis; The palate is in a great spot right now, with elegant notes of dark fruit and earth, with plenty of acidity on the finish
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The Rotating Dinners, I.6: Napa (Chicago, IL): An absolutely brilliant bottle of Napa cabernet, and my wine of the night. This had green pepper in spades, and then some. Then, there's sweet black fruit followed by fresh acids in a well-integrated, complex package. This is fully resolved, and totally ready for business now.
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Fabulous wine. Perfect balance, loads of dark cassis fruit, smoke, toast, polished tannins. Surprisingly youthful. Should drink for another 5 years at least.
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The 1992 Philip Togni Cabernet boasts an incredibly youthful deep ruby core and vibrant aromas of cassis, mint leaf and led pencil shavings. It is full bodied, luscious and velvety as it envelops the palate with delicately intertwined layers of chocolate, butterscotch and dried cranberries. The long lasting and silky finish lingers on for over thirty seconds. This prime time beauty is set to last for at least another five years. A superb effort!
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Années 90 - Bordeaux visite Napa ou vice versa ! (Restaurant Chez Christophe): Un joli nez de cave humide, de sous-bois, d'aucuns y trouvaient du poivron. La bouche est fine, de belle fraicheur, c'est savoureux et bien fait. Sans être très complexe, c'est fort agréable, élégant et facile à boire. Je croyais avoir trouvé Sociando...91 pts
J'y suis revenu plus tard et ma note me paraissait chiche, le dernier verre est vraiment meilleur.
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Another Saturday at Chevalier...Mostly Blind (Chicago, IL): Tasted double blind. I thought this left bank Bordeaux, as did most others at the tasting. All black fruit, still very fresh, moderate spice. Lots of acidity and tannins not quite as balanced as other bottles I recall from the past.
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Youthful, fresh, full bodied and concentrated, with an earthy, tobacco, forest floor, leaf and blackberry character, there is a lot of personality in this wine that is tasting at least 10 years younger than its true age.
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I have drunk a number of bottles of this wine over the years and I have always rated it highly. This bottle was showing it's age with a brown rim. It faded fairly quickly after opening. It had very definite herbal notes, with some very pleasing dusty tannins, evolving to tobacco flavors. If you have any bottles, drink them up.
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Paris Tasting in Zwolle (again... at last) (De Librije - Zwolle): Kleur: Robijnrood met lichte verkleuring aan de rand, een beetje depot Aroma / bouquet: Opvallende tonen van laurier en vlierbessen, een beetje gebrand. Daardoor weinig complexiteit. Smaak / Afdronk: Krachtige aanzet, fris zuurtje, stevige tannines, robuust en hoekig, naar mijn mening zijn de tannines groenig. Goede vulling, afdronk indrukwekkend lang. Algemeen / potentieel: Wijn lijkt over de top. Veelal ben ik zeer onder de indruk van Togni, deze fles viel erg tegen. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Smaak / Afdronk: 13 + Algemeen / potentieel: 6 = 84/100
Google Translate:
Color: Ruby red with slight discoloration on the edge a little depot Aroma / bouquet: Striking notes of laurel and elderberries, a little burned. As a result, little complexity. Taste / Finish: Powerful start, fresh acidity, firm tannins, robust and angular, in my opinion, the tannins are even a bit greenish. Good filling, impressively long finish. General / potential: Wine seems over the hill. Mostly I am very impressed by Togni, this bottle was very disappointing. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Taste / Finish: 13 + General / potential: 6 = 84/100
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Sticking out like a sore thumb. Concentrated but definitely green and dusty and I bet that’s how it was from the beginning. A hint of cassis, blue fruits, lead pencil, flowers, green bell pepper and cedar. Silky and polished palate, nicely integrated tannins and long seamless finish. Kinda old school. Exceptional showing but definitely out of context.
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Advanced and dusty. The palare is better rhan the nose with some bordeaux like soy sauce and some nice red fruit. Clearly showing its age though. A big hit of acid in the middle
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Napa Valley Tour; 4/11/2014-4/15/2014 (French Laundry,Meadowood,Colgin,Araujo,Harlan....): Sourced from The winery some time ago and proudly boats a sticker that it was aged for 10 yrs in the chateau. Decanted and served. This is a Chateau Palmer 95 :) not a Napa Cab... Open well developed nose, minty, herby side, pepper, leather and full of secondary characteristics. Very elegant on the palate, very much alive, good silky tannin, round and exceptionally balanced .has easily 10yrs of life ahead of it. This is 1st growth status and a magnificent and elegant wine. 97 and among the best wines we have come across from this part of the world
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Purple color with a wonderful bouquet and flavor of eucalyptus, which climaxed in the long finish, with some pure cassis underneath. The herbal notes were quite unique in their sharpness, combining bell pepper and eucalyptus. The wine was a bit more angular than it was 5 years ago, and had probably lost some of the smoothness that I so much admired. Still, a compelling wine and an American Cabernet that recalls many great Bordeaux.
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Decanted for 3 hours, worth the wait. Rich, complex, earthy cabernet, amazing at this age. Herbal, tobacco, brings everything from the vineyard location into the glass.
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I liked this a lot, but no one else did. Sweet cassis, mint, herbs, cedar and tobacco, a touch green (but I'm not too sensitive to that), good intensity. Concentrated, still some structure but the tannins are soft and velvety, good length. A very nice older, traditional Napa cab. At peak, I think. Too green for some of the others.
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This bottle reaffirmed that Togni has made perhaps the most consistently age-worthy American wines I've enjoyed in 30 years of enjoying wine, yet they drink great young also. This bottle was one of their library 10-year releases before my purchase and cellaring. Not too young, not old; a great mature claret. Complex nose of fruit, leather, earth, perhaps black olive, and more. A sensual texture, and a rewarding finish. Wish I had more and may have to go shopping.
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Men's Best Bottle, BB: Blind tasting. ID'ed this an old napa cab. The incredible nose was it for me - all over the place, so interesting - earthy, fruity, layered and rich, complexity to spare. Unfortunately, it was a bit thin and showing its age on the palate. Still, quite enjoyable and the nose was a real treat.
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Color: deep ruby -> bright garnet rim. Great bouquet of cassis, leather, tobacco with perhaps a hint of mint. Very expressive and bordeaux-like. Palate shows great finesse --again, reminiscent of great aged bordeaux. Cassis again, cigar box, minerals. Very long finish; this has aged beautifully and is absolutely drinking at peak.
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Fantastic showing. Decanted for 2+ hours. Cedar, dark cherry, some soil/funk, and a touch of green pepper on the nose. Amazing concentration and length on the palate. Would have mistaken this for top notch classified-growth Bordeaux. Noticeably better than a 1985 Pichon Lalande tasted a few days ago. This is a top 5 CA producer for me after this bottle.
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offert par Vincent Nez poivron rouge, café, une bouche élégante mais jeune, tanins solides mais soyeux. Très joli vin qui m'a amené partout, de la Loire (poivron) á Mondavi Reserve...confondant et charmeur. Togni 1992 92 pts
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Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Very Bordeaux-like. Black plum, lead pencil, cassis hints. Lean and well structured' well balanced; direct and precise on finish. In its peak drinking window, but this should easily perform well at this level for another decade.
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Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Pretty wine. Green and very floral. Broccoli, cauliflower , licorice. Piney, menthol. Drinking really well now. Definitely some Old World restraint with beautiful ripe dark cherry cola and leather. Fascinating wine. Showing like a younger 00's Cabernet instead. Drink now or hold.
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In a word. Awesome. Opened this to drink immediately, not a good idea. Barnyard stink, musky, not nice, so back into bottle. Next day, stink was replaced by lovely upfront red berry fruit with some dark berries in the background playing the supporting act. Some typical Bordeaux Cabernet notes of graphite, pencil shavings, a little cedar, all nicely in the background as well. A mint note which grew with more airing. On the palate a luscious mouthfeel, really sexy. Cassis fruit, some black currant, slightly adstringent wood. To my surprise there was enough acidity to give this a freshness I would not expect from a twenty year old Californian Cab. 12.5% alcohol, terrific!
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This was inserted as a ringer in a lineup of mature Bordeaux -- '82 Pichon Lalande, '82 Haut Brion, '82 Gruaud Larose, '90 Montrose, '90 Leoville Las Cases and '90 Lynch Bages -- because I've always thought it bore a striking resemblence to the '82 Gruaud Larose. In this flight, they were indistinguishable, and the '92 Togni more than held it's own.
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Inaugural Great Steak-Off (Clarksville, Maryland): I recently had the 97 which was extremely youthful and impressive. This was served en Magnum, Wow! The flowery perfume nose that one only gets from a great cabernet sauvignon, dark fruits, lead pencil, cassis and cedar. The nose is simply magical. Although very youth in this format, the palate is seamless, silky and has extremely long finish. The nose is very similar to Grace family cab but more floral, fresher and more expressive. My cellar is over 90% French but this is a great wine. Mesmerizing!
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Really nice wine. Tannin totally resolved and secondary fruit is all about the palate. IMHO, with age the Cali cabs don't develop the alluring nose of their Frenchy brethern but catch the right one at age 20 (insert Phillip Togni Vineyard here) and its a special experience. Beautiful texture and secondary fruit, creasote, tree bark and light spice make this wine special. No rough edges just aged claret in the finest sense.
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The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; popped, poured and consumed over the course of 1.5 hours. A healthy color, with just a hint of garnet at the rim. Notes of roasted herbs, asphalt, and creosote. Disappointing on the palate; much more austere and angular than previous bottles, and lacking in terms of texture and depth. Surprisingly, this bottle had been aged at the winery for 10 years.
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Absolutely delicious, with rich, sweet dark cherry, spice and mocha flavors. Long finish, well structured. Can drink now or hold, but why wait? This is what a cab is supposed to be.
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A Vertical of Verticals part 4--Togni (Ports): Minty Eucalyptus on nose. Luden's cough drops. Similar profile to the wonderful 1990 but with more upfront fruit initially. After 30 minutes it goes to BIG STINK (almost underarm stink). Never quite regains its balance.
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extraordinary cab; drunk in vertical with '94; '98; '07 finished 3rd - up against two classics ('94 and '07), but still remarkable character and complexity
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The fill was into the neck; popped, poured and consumed over the course of an entire evening. Very "typical" Togni boquet, with intense notes of creosote, roasted herbs, tapenade, black fruits and leather. Medium-bodied, with a velvety texture, great concentration of flavor, and a long a nicely focused finish. To me, this bottle seemd a bit more on the "roasted herbs" end of the spectrum (I say roasted herbs, you say green pepper) than what I typically encounter with the '92 Togni, hence the slightly lower score than ususal.
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Quite mature with still decent fruit but a somewhat pronounced acid component that smoothed out some with time...I would rate this 90-92 depending on where I caught it and what it was paired with.....I would not rebuy for the $125 I paid but certainly a nice mature cab that clearly looks to Bordeaux for inspiration
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Much more youthful and fruity than the previous bottles I've had. Nevertheless a truly wonderful wine. Elegance and structure. Only regret is that this is my last bottle.
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I brought this with us to dinner at Redd; the somellier opened (but did not decant) about an hour prior to service. The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound. Still a relatively youthful color, with a purple-red core, turning to blood rim at the rim. I've always found the bouquet of Togni's wines to be spellbinding, and this bottle was no exception, exhibiting notes of grilled beef, cedary black fruits, roasted herbs, tree bark and a hint of creosote. Medium bodied, with a firm backbone, ripe fruit, impressive concentration, and a velvety mouthfeel. Great focus and grip on the long and complex finish. I've went through over a case of the '92 Togni, and every single bottle has been stunning; this was my last bottle, so I'll need to source a few more! On a side note, I thought the similarity of this wine to the '82 Gruaud Larose (which we had the following night) was striking.
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At Craig's apartment in Washington belatedly celebrating his 18th birthday. Solid dark ruby. Pretty fruit in the nose. Soft, charming, fragrant. Lovely palate. Perfectly mature, fine, rich fruit with a lengthy soft, fruity finish. Not a blockbuster, but an excellent drink at 18 years. 5-12-17-8: 92/100
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The fill was into the neck and the cork (which had a worrisome stain on the top, right underneath the foil) was sound. A dark ruby-red color, with some garnet at the rim. A wonderfully expressive bouquet, offering up gobs of ripe black fruits, roasted herbs, tree bark and black truffle. Medium bodied, with a round and inviting texture, great depth and impressive focus and delineation on the long finish. This bottle served as a great reminder of why I fell in love with Togni's wines over 10 years ago!
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No detailed notes, but fabulous showing of this wine! Strong herbal signature (in a good way), would not ID this as CA cab blind. Good secondary development, might be a touch on the down hill side, but very expressive and enjoyable.
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Wine of the day at the Garden Club meeting. With short ribs with a very heavy red wine reduction sauce, this sang. Beat 6 other bordeaux and 4 Cal cabs. But, in defense, it did need food. This is one of the really under appreciated Cal Cab producers. His wines age beautifullly. and are at theiir best about 15 years from the vintage date.
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This wine has delivered the goods every single time that I have tasted it, and is (in my opinion) the best vintage that Togni has ever produced. This wine is fully mature, but I think should continue to hold its magic for at least another 5 to 7 years. The fill was into the the neck; opened about 45 minutes prior to dinner. An intriguing bouquet, with notes of creosote, ripe black fruits and tapenade. Medium bodied, with great balance, impressive depth, and impeccable focus.
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Dark purple color; nose of coffee, spice, chocolate and minerals; full body, rich texture; flavors of ripe black berries in perfect balance with the firm tannis; beginning to show some secondary flavors; long finish; continues to drink well with no signs of fading.
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The fill was base neck and the cork was stained to the top, but came out easily enough. A ruby-purple core, turning towards pink/garnet at the edge. Notes of briar patch, creosote, tapenade, dark fruits and crushed rocks (mineral). Medium-bodied, with a generous character, classic/firm structure, outstanding concentration, and a long, well delineated finish. Not quite up to the standard of previous bottles, but a fantastic moutfull of wine!
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The fill was very top shoulder and the cork was sound. A murky purple core, turning to garnet at the rim. Notes of ripe dark fruits, smoke, tapenade and hot rocks. Medium to full bodied, with that classic Spring Mountain structure, layers of depth and flavor, and a long, complex finish.
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Passover Seder @ Chez Ehrenreich w Todd, Jamie, Matthew(4), Samantha(2-1/2), LindaJamie's mom-Brighton Beach), and Hellen Jamie's 90 yr young grandma.Clearly best, deepest, and most complex vs 91 Pahlmeyer Red Wine, and 91 Anderson Conn Creek.
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Nice nose - softened with classic styling, black olive and dark fruits and earth. Still firm on the palate, but turning a bit sharp on the finish. Good wine.
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Dark and youthful in color and opaque. What’s not to like? Extremely powerful nose of tobacco burnt cherries, chocolate, forest floor, toast- an expression of a real great oak aroma, and maybe a faint hint of cinnamon, perfume, and grilled steak. I am usually not a fan of wines that some would call oakey, but this is fabulous and adds to the complexity. As the wine sits in the glass it becomes even more haunting. In the mouth the wine shows great feel with the only complaint being a moderately high bite from acidity. The wine is big and dense and full of flavor. This is an expression of California Cabernet that is found not too often. Easily one of the best Cabs I have had in the last 12 months. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this wine last another 10-15 years and see it even improve a touch. If I owned more though, they wouldn’t last!
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Fill was into the neck, the cork was sound. Quite youthful appearance (nearly opaque) with a purple core turning towards garnet at the edge. The "typical" Togni bouquet of ripe dark fruits, tapenade and creosote was readily apparent. Rather full bodied on the palate, with fine concentration, good richness, and a long, complex finish. I have had better bottles, but this was still outstanding.
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Sadly this bottle had tons of bubbles when I poured it into the decanter. They looked like soap; only, I use salt and ice to clean my decanters. Totally shot. This is the first turned bottle of Togni for me. Disappointing, but their track record is too good for me to lament.
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I had the '93 Togni earlier in the week; it was so good that I decided to re-visit my Togni "benchmark" 1992. Paired with Flannery NY Strip Steaks, roasted potatoes, and grilled vegetables. This bottle had been aged 10 years at the Togni winery. An incredibly youthful color; is this the '02 or the '92? An opaque purple core, turning to ruby at the rim. The typical Togni fireworks on the nose, offering up scents of ripe dark fruits, smoke, creosote and tapenade. Very rich and intense in the mouth, with a full and generous mid-palate, classic structure, and a long, complex finish. This still has some upside; I'll drink my remaining bottles over the next 15 years.
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still dard red. Lovely nose of leather, herbs, hints of the more bell pepper side of things but in a good way, and aged cabernet aromas - currants, meat, and more leather with barnyardy notes. Very complex and enjoyable. Palate is medium weight, nicely balanced, certainly softened up a bit, but the fruit/tannin/acids are all in balance. Flaveor of currants, leather, and herbs are very nicely integrated, and carry through to a long finish. The wine is mature, but in no danger of decline.
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Still has loads of tannins to resolve but the fruit and structure promise that someday(?) this wine is going to be great. If I owned another, I'd hold 5 more years. Brambly dark fruits, tobacco, cedar, licorice, wood smoke. 92 points now but could be a couple higher on its 30th birthday.
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Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Nose of dried herbs, mixed fruits and earth. Flavors of black cherries, berries and black licorice. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold.
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Terrific surprise from an underrated producer !! One of the most expansive noses we have encountered in a California cabernet. Explosive cedar with hints of tobacco...almost "Bordeaux-like." Perfectly mature yet with no signs of decline for the near future. The mouth feel was full and round and featured dark cherry fruit with hints of tobacco and anise. The finish was very long, extremely well balanced yet elegant.
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Dinner at the club and no decant. Drunk a bit quickly given trying to get to the movie w/ the kids. Clearly more bordeaux and than cali in taste and nose. Very dark and virtually no bricking. Better w/ time, but must confess would have preferred a bit more fruit. Doubt I would buy more at this price.
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Wine Pot Luck 03 Chave, 90 Lafite, 85 Groth Reserve et al: I must preface this with the knowledge that I do not enjoy Togni's wine. I just don't like herbaceous characters in my cabs and this always has it in spades. Right from the nose to the finish this was like cooked asparagus or green peppers. We opened both the 1996 and 1992 and both were downright unenjoyable. I am not a fan of most Spring Mountain cabs.
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Delicious sweet fruit flavors, with a touch of spice and coffee. Fine, soft tannins, beautiful mouth feel. Just perfect! Served with Jeannine's roast goose (with a sauce of prunes and armagnac) for Christmas dinner, a perfect match.
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Atlanta Off-line with Ron Kramer (Bones Restaurant, Atlanta, GA): Decanted(?) and screened. Red fruit, cassis and light spice aromas. Graceful, seamless and balanced blend of dark cassis, red fruits and a touch of anise spice flavors with some mineral notes. A plush, soft entry that turned silky smooth and gained a touch more spice on the mid-palate with refined and intriguing depth leading to a lengthy, lingering finish that left me wanting more. This had an incredible amount of sediment that fortunately remained in the bottle thanks to the screened stopper. My WOTN - well, ....... other than the '88 Krug.
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Less evolved than the other two bottles. Dark ruby with medium amber at the rim. Rich, powerful cherry fruit, cedar, black licorice, and a hint of menthol. The finish turned oaky and slightly sweet, with grippy, fine-grained tannins.
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nose of roasted meat and herbs, possible sage and rosemary ... still dark ruby red, with no sign of browning at all ... chewy and full-bodied, overpowering at first, but awesome once you get use to it ... nice finish
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Deep brick red, showing slight amber at the rim. Pauillac-like nose of cedar and pencil shavings. Smoky, rich blackberry fruit, with layers of minerals, eucalyptus, licorice, and leather. So much structure here. The tannins are mature but not fully resolved. Very long finish. A beautiful, reference point California Cab. I hope the 2001 is this good on 10 years!
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Still tannic on opening. Nose is closed. Ruby red to purple. Once open (after an hour or so) lots of cherry and cassis. Very tasty, but can last many more years.
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NOSE WENT FROM DEEP FRUIT, TAR, AND EARTHINESS TO BLACKBERRIES, BLACKCURRENT AND MINT. FLAVOR LIKE THE NOSE, DEEP FRUIT WITH A TOUCH OF MINT AND CHOCOLATE. VERY COMPLEX. LONG FINISH.
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Tasted in double-blind fashion at Vintage Wines, Ltd. Bottle provided by Ken Johnson. Bright disc. Opaque garnet robe with slight bricking at the rim. Clean nose, showing moderately intense aromas of dark chocolate, leather, brier, black plum and roasted herbs. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, big sweet tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, fairly smooth finish.
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3/30/2024 - SpenceP wrote: 97 Points
Continues to be stunning! No change from the bottles of 3/3/2024, 6/2/2023, and 1/14/2923, so, rather than repeat myself, I'll just refer you to the full descriptions there.
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3/3/2024 - SpenceP wrote: 97 Points
I really love this wine. Stunning even immediately after opening-- blueberries, black tea, black cherries, pomegranates, black olives, a hint of tannin, and toasted walnuts, with wonderful richness and immediacy, and a strikingly long and rich aftertaste. Over the next hour and a quarter, blackberries, orange peel, fruitcake, cocoa, black plums, roses, a touch of fennel, and a flash of red apples all joined in, as the aftertaste got longer and longer with a distinct note of raspberries a little before the end. This is just gorgeous. [Tasted over not quite three hours from the Jancis Robinson glass. I gave this bottle about two weeks upright to allow the sediment to settle out.]
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2/12/2024 - ekorn Likes this wine:
This bottle was a bit wilder on the palate (perhaps a bit of brett) than the last one I opened, but still showing amazing depth and complexity. It a classy wine drinking very well now.
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12/21/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Holiday Champagne Gala (Wilmette Harbor Club): Tasted at gala alongside 1997. Firm from start-to-finish making it seem slightly austere, but with good+ depth and power. Some richness on finish. At its peak.
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9/25/2023 - Cailles wrote: 96 Points
No notes taken. Three 1992 Napa wines side-by-side. All three displayed that the vintage is currently in an amazing spot: open, intense and expressive, highly layered with a good portion of primary fruit mixed with tertiary aromas, herbs and minerality, soft and round but with good tension and good freshness. The Caymus Special Selection (97pts) was the most layered and exciting wine with lots of spiciness. But I think this will be even better in 10 years when it will be more tertiary and lose a bit of the quite intensive fruit aromas. The Togni (96pts) was the most Bordeaux-esque in the line-up, so clear and clean without any of the excess the Caymus still has. This bottle wasn‘t quite as sharp and layered as the last one a few months ago (rated 98pts) but only got better with air and was reached its peak on day two. The Eisele (94pts) had some signs of decline on the nose but was drinking well on the palate, tertiary the core but with enough ripe fruit to still be exciting.
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6/8/2023 - Cailles wrote: 98 Points
Pure magic. A few weeks back we had the 1991 (rated 97pts) which showed me what heights these 90s Togni can achieve and just when you think it couldn‘t get any better, this 1992 comes and blows the competition away. So complex, seductive and sophisticated, a world of tertiary aromas balanced by fine dark fruit and this absolute highlight, a laser sharp precision and purity. Wow, just wow.
TN: Unbelievable nose, nutty, herbs, minty, dark fruit. Then tobacco and truffles. Wow on the palate. So smooth, textured, layered. Dark fruit, tobacco, truffles, minerality, nutty notes, herbs. All in Ultra HD. Amazing. So smooth and soft, seductive and satin-like yet without a shred of extra weight. Long and expanding finish.
Decanting: Decanted for an hour, back in the bottle and consumed two hours later. Worked perfect.
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6/2/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 97 Points
Tasted blind. This felt and tasted deceptively like a grand, aged Bordeaux (I guess Lynch Bages 1990). Fres, green herbs of eucalyptus, earth and tobacco notes, mushrooms and earth with a tarty, perfectly precise fruit. Harmonious and elegant with intensity and depth to it, structure and great tension. Spectacular and what a step-up from the 1991.
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6/2/2023 - SpenceP wrote: 97 Points
Gorgeous. Blackberries, lemon peel, tobacco, spices, black cherries, thyme, leather, flowers, cocoa, black olives, and more. Incredibly long aftertaste, with notes of chocolate, thyme, and rosemary. Rich, vivid, and welcoming. Just an amazing wine. For more detail, see my notes of 1/14/2023 and 9/4/2022. [Tasted over five hours from the Jancis Robinson glass.]
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5/8/2023 - ekorn Likes this wine:
This bottle had a pretty significantly depressed cork. Double decanted for sediment, then poured into Grassl 1855s. Holy smokes - what a beautiful wine. From memory: plum fruit, cherries, coffee, graphite, and baking spice. For my palate, this is Napa cabernet at its apogee.
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3/28/2023 - Papies wrote: 95 Points
Milan Wine Event 2 - AKA F It Dinner (Il Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala (Ristorante Trussardi by Giancarlo Perbellini), Milan): Its been 4 years since we crossed paths with this old friend and another reminder of the beauty of early 90s Napa classicists from average vintages. Cabernet Sauvignon personified a friend of us said and indeed for us it was just that. Pepper, dark fruits, quite a bit of weight. It suffered because it followed the Uber elegant 96 Mouton ( Papies 98) and felt a bit brash but we look beyond it. For lovers of old school evolved Napa from times before they overdid everything this is an experience. Excellent once again. 95
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3/10/2023 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
2023 Napa in the City: Gala Dinner (The Pool in NYC): This was just rocking and gave me a bit of a tinge that we didn’t make the dinner the night before where it was a bunch of old Tognis. This was wonderful. At the time I was pretty sure it should be a contender for WOTN but I hadn’t had its brother the ‘89 yet. Very classy old world style with new world fruit and age. Baking spices abound. Delicious.
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1/14/2023 - SpenceP wrote: 97 Points
Spectacular from the moment the bottle was opened. Intense blackberries, pomegranates, tobacco, leather, black cherries, blueberries, black olives, coffee, spices, cocoa, red apples, and vanilla, as well as the faintest hint of roses, with raspberries joining in on the gorgeous and extremely long aftertaste. Gracious and elegant, nothing heavy-handed here. This is a fabulous wine. (Tasted over an hour and a half from both the Conterno and Jancis Robinson glasses--the Conterno glass brought out a little more sweetness and floral notes, while the Jancis Robinson glass brought out more balance and structure--but these are the most microscopic of differences--the essential wine was really the same in both.) See also my notes from 10/18/20, 12/4/21, and 9/4/22. I initially scored this at 96 points, but at the end of the hour and a half raised the score to 97. I'm not sure whether it was the wine that had improved, or if the change was in my appreciation of the wine. No hurry at all on this one.
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12/16/2022 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 96 Points
Coravin half a btl with a burger last night. Well made, wonderland bouquet nose, aged color, fantastic palate feel and finish. Delicious. Drink
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9/4/2022 - SpenceP wrote: 97 Points
This has been strikingly different each time I've tasted it (see 12/4/21 and 10/18/20). The explanation could be bottle variation, but I strongly suspect that what I've been experiencing is a wine gradually emerging from hibernation. This time it was just stunning. Fragrant tobacco, ripe black plums, black moroccan olives, minerals, herbs (thyme? marjoram? rosemary?), a hint of ripe blackberry, smoke, chocolate, tart cherries, coffee, graphite, and a long, long, astonishingly vivid, and richly tobacco-infused aftertaste. This is an utterly great wine. Spectacular from the moment the bottle was opened. Should be fine for at least another five years and probably much longer. [Tasted from both the Jancis Robinson glass and the Riedel Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon glass. My experiences with the two glasses were different in minor details but not in my overall reaction to to the wine.]
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7/10/2022 - PanosKakaviatos wrote: 94 Points
An evening with Kevin Shin (Virginia): After nearly 20 years (in bottle), truly fun to drink, with eucalyptus, mint and herbal aspects. About as far and away from a ripe blockbuster Cab as you can get, and although lacking the complexity of a superior wine, it was vibrant on the palate, with freshness, delivered in smooth tannin. I recall the alcohol being 12.3%
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7/10/2022 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Expressive nose displaying concentrated black fruit with a hint of red, crème de cassis, blackberry concentrate, plum, a hint of cherry, ash, smoke, noticeable green/pyrazine, lead pencil, leather, that I associate with an old school cal cab, eucalyptus and crushed rocks. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of concentrated black fruit, unctuous and rich, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long ripe black fruit driven finish with smoke and green at the end. It is both ripe and green which is really fascinating.
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5/21/2022 - 5laton wrote: flawed
Sadly this was just another heat-damaged auction purchase.
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12/14/2021 - apg23 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is an exceptional wine. Especially for the price. I know professional, but I presume it’s reaching the end of its best drinking window.
Red fruit on the nose, with a bit of barnyard notes. Maybe even musty, but it doesn’t offend. It is extremely smooth in the mouth with plenty of acidity, but not overpowering.
For a 30 year old Napa Valley cab, just really good grape juice
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12/4/2021 - SpenceP wrote: 96 Points
Just gorgeous, and probably only just beginning to hit its peak. Immediately after opening, it's a bit light and acidic (but still lovely). After 30-40 minutes in the glass, it fills out into a stunning wine that explodes in the mouth, with black cherries, plums, minerals, flowers, cocoa, thyme, orange peel, wisps of tobacco now and then, and an amazing long long and intense aftertaste. Should be beautiful for another seven years and probably much longer.
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11/13/2021 - nywine68 wrote: 93 Points
Cork in pristine shape. Still tight and tense at age 29. Cassis and redcurrant flavors. Plenty of acidity and fine grained tannins. This feels like it has lots of coiled up energy but after 4 hours in decanter, it still was not quite ready to come out yet.
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10/26/2021 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Gorgeous slightly green text book Cal cab nose displaying concentrated black fruit with a hint of red, crème de cassis, blackberry, plum, noticeable Cab franc like green, lead pencil, caramel, cedar, ash and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of concentrated rich black fruit, unctuous and deeply toned but also silky and fluid, medium acidity, strong earthy mineral, still noticeable but non obtrusive tannins and a long concentrated black fruit driven finish with ash and earth at the end. Once again, it is both ripe and green. Drinking really well but there is enough fruit to last for a couple more decades.
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9/16/2021 - Wine Canuck wrote: 95 Points
This pours deep ruby in the glass with light bricking on the rim. The nose is expressive and complex showing a very classical nose. Intense notes of graphite, celery seed, plum, blackberry, old leather, green tobacco leaf, cedar cigar box, and crushed rock. The palate is lush and beautiful showing loads of tobacco and deep rich plum on the long finish. What a fantastic wine.
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8/28/2021 - Javachip wrote: 96 Points
San Diego Superspeader 2021 (Solare Restaurant, Liberty Station, Point Loma, San Diego CA): En magnum, decanted. Clear dark garnet-blood red color. Gorgeous notes of blackberries, boysenberries, violets, roses, mocha, baking spices, horse sweat, stony soil, sweet earth. Full body, seamless, balanced, great structure, fully mature, still going strong. My #2, group's FIRST PLACE.
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8/12/2021 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really nice for its age.
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2/6/2021 - europat55 wrote: 91 Points
Nose: 92 Palate: 90
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2/6/2021 - europat55 wrote: 92 Points
Nose: 93.5 Palate: 91
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11/26/2020 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Expressive nose displaying ripe black and red fruit, crème de cassis, plum, roasted tomato, a hint of green, rose, lead pencil, coffee, cedar, caramel and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of rich black fruit, quite dense and rich but also silk and polished, medium acidity, earthy mineral, nicely integrated tannins and a long sweet black fruit driven finish. Ripe California fruit and green Cabernet expressions coexist which is interesting. This is a great old school cab that is drinking beautifully.
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10/18/2020 - SpenceP wrote: 95 Points
This is a gorgeous and graceful wine, beautifully balanced. The cork was in pretty good shape for a wine this old. Intense smells and flavors of cassis, flowers, black cherries, herbs, mocha, with a faint hint of vanilla and a bit of tannin, followed by a long, happy aftertaste--remarkably consistent from the first sniff to the final wisp of aftertaste, with no change over the course of nearly an hour in the glass. Would be perfect with roast lamb. If this bottle was typical, this should remain wonderful for at least 6 more years and probably longer.
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8/15/2020 - andtheodor wrote: 93 Points
Lots of vegetation on the nose, more mint than anything, giving the palate a nice cool, crunchy freshness. Currant, spice, sweetly fruited, plush, but not really Napa styled either. Absolutely my kind of Cali Cab.
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5/30/2020 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 94 Points
Grat color, developed nicely over the course of the evening, good cab fruit, licorice, spice and a good blend of grapes.
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5/23/2020 - BinVA Likes this wine: 89 Points
Caught it before it died, whew. Drink em if you got em. Not too much fruit left but good for the age.
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12/8/2019 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 95 Points
Medium garnet red with bricking edges. Well integrated nose with cherries, dirty cellar, earthiness and even a bit floral. Medium acidity (5.5/10) and medium bodied. Rounded and layered palate with dried cherries, forest floor, elegant and a hint of spice. Long finish. Drink till 2024.
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11/2/2019 - SkyCellar Likes this wine: 98 Points
Simply lovely.
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7/18/2019 - Lockareff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic - still going strong. Decanted for an hour. Best during the first hour of consumption.
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5/13/2019 - JOsgood wrote:
Well aged bottle. Tannins are smooth and refined.
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5/8/2019 - acyso wrote: 95 Points
Philip Togni vertical (1983-96) (Chicago, IL): This wine is stunning. I've had it once before where it performed remarkably well, and again tonight where it was my favourite of the long 1983-96 vertical. It's as classic as cabernet can get -- the red fruit here is almost tart rather than sweet, there's just a slight hint of balancing pyrazine, and the nose also offers up a touch of earth and floral perfume. The palate is cool, with the acidity driving the fruit, rather than the other way around, and the red fruits here are of a tart nature. There's still some grippy tannins, but to my palate, this is ready to drink, though in no danger of falling apart anytime soon.
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3/19/2019 - Papies wrote: 95 Points
We continue to sing praises to old school Napa from the 90s. For lovers of old school, evolved and soft Bordeaux with extra touch of ripeness nothing is better in our view.
Decanted and served. To our friends who had it blind was a bit of a blend of aged Bordeaux and Cote Rotie.
Soft, leather, healthy and still very much alive, round, soft smoky edge, nice purity and full of elegance. Has that lovely complexity on the palate that only an aged wine can show and without screaming delivers a master class of an experience. 95+ and we suggest one drinks this at this stage.
We had this 5 years ago in Press in St Helena and we thought it was palmer 95...
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8/11/2018 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
A tour de force - yet, it's still got room (and is likely) to improve. An elegant full body, the medium/dark ruby shows no sign of age. Plenty of fresh acidity with balancing structure. A pleasure, and one I'd like to encounter any time in the next 10 years. Excellent, and for my palate, just getting started.
PnP, served non-blind.
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5/20/2018 - SkyCellar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Quite lovely. Drinking well after 26 years. Wish I had a lot more.
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5/19/2018 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 94 Points
From Magnum. Into neck fill. Gorgeous color. Only a teaspoon of sediment. The wine took about an hour to open fully. Layers of black and red fruits. Hints of cassis, tobacco, sweet Oak and black currant. 30+ second finish.
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3/12/2018 - tbabes wrote: 95 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork was pristine; double decanted an hour before service. A pretty dark ruby core, turning towards garnet at the rim; no browning. Complex aromas of dried black fruits, crushed stone, pencil shavings, and cigar box, with hints of black truffle. Medium bodied, with a round texture, incredible precision and focus; a very genuine sense of joie de vivre on the long finish. This bottle was fully mature, and a joy to experience!
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12/29/2017 - WetRock wrote:
This was fantastic. Still dense and rich showing classic Cali Cab lines with that woody cedary type of thing. Big yet pretty at the same time. There is a touch of an ash note on the nose so maybe a wee bit of brett has lingered along for the ride. There is still a lot of flesh on the bones here. Was a nice contrast to a lean classically styled '85 Cos opened soon after this one. Both great in their own way. Not really very lean at all and not showing a lot of oxidation. This has a ways to go but it's in a damn fine place right now. Has miles to go.
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8/31/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Chicago Wine Flock...Don Serving So Many Great Blind Wines/Flights (Park Ridge, IL): Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a Lynch-Bages/ Togni flight. Very similar to the previous wine (which turned out to be Togni 1991), just slightly more firm and coarse, even with a sweeter note. Very good+ length. Probably upside from here. My 6th favorite of the flight, group's #5.
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7/4/2017 - Diane (LI) wrote:
My last Togni from 1992. The nose is strong on the tobacco with good fruit. The palate has less tobacco, but it is still present along with a restrained ripe cherry. Acidity is quite pronounced and tannins are relaxed. The finish is long. More elegant than powerful.
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12/27/2016 - Winemusic wrote: 96 Points
Beautiful, has aged very well.
Lovely graphite and mineral in a bed of floral, violet and currant fruit.
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12/25/2016 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Pop and pour from a magnum. Initially quite tight, cassis and plum with a hint of cab floral dust. With air, expressive nose displaying sweet dark fruit, cassis, cab floral perfume, a hint of leather, lead pencil, cedar and earth. Excellent concentration, nicely layered fruit, silky and a long sweet cassis driven finish. It is quite youthful in magnum format. Excellent showing as usual.
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12/10/2016 - jollyroger.vin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Can you say Old School Napa? That cloudy plum color! Smell of dusty plum and faded rose petals, cooking spice and herb. Dried cherry, currant and waning plum mingle with toasty french oak. Silky smooth tannins and a smashing finish. Drink soon.
BDX blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
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12/10/2016 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Blind, you would never guess California. The nose is dark fruit and green pepper,with pepper dominating. The palate shows ripe fruit, but there is bell pepper, cedar, mostly resolved tannins, long finish, and right on point. Delicious with our Flannery burgers
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10/29/2016 - rcg62 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still looking quite youthful. Initially I got a fair amount of green pepper in the nose, but with a couple of hours pine needles, cedar and hickory smoke came into the mix. But that green pepper really comes in on the palate (in a very good) way, while subtle black cherry and raspberry flavors linger. Very old school. Terrific. 94/95
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10/24/2016 - eluebchow wrote: 95 Points
Decanted for about 1.5 hours before dinner; Soaring aromatics, with a blend of bell pepper, fresh herbs and cassis; The palate is in a great spot right now, with elegant notes of dark fruit and earth, with plenty of acidity on the finish
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10/24/2016 - acyso wrote: 95 Points
The Rotating Dinners, I.6: Napa (Chicago, IL): An absolutely brilliant bottle of Napa cabernet, and my wine of the night. This had green pepper in spades, and then some. Then, there's sweet black fruit followed by fresh acids in a well-integrated, complex package. This is fully resolved, and totally ready for business now.
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9/6/2016 - michael47 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Fabulous wine. Perfect balance, loads of dark cassis fruit, smoke, toast, polished tannins. Surprisingly youthful. Should drink for another 5 years at least.
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12/23/2015 - Wineguy76 wrote: 94 Points
The 1992 Philip Togni Cabernet boasts an incredibly youthful deep ruby core and vibrant aromas of cassis, mint leaf and led pencil shavings. It is full bodied, luscious and velvety as it envelops the palate with delicately intertwined layers of chocolate, butterscotch and dried cranberries. The long lasting and silky finish lingers on for over thirty seconds. This prime time beauty is set to last for at least another five years. A superb effort!
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10/23/2015 - d'Artagnan wrote: 91 Points
Années 90 - Bordeaux visite Napa ou vice versa ! (Restaurant Chez Christophe): Un joli nez de cave humide, de sous-bois, d'aucuns y trouvaient du poivron.
La bouche est fine, de belle fraicheur, c'est savoureux et bien fait. Sans être très complexe, c'est fort agréable, élégant et facile à boire. Je croyais avoir trouvé Sociando...91 pts
J'y suis revenu plus tard et ma note me paraissait chiche, le dernier verre est vraiment meilleur.
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3/14/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Another Saturday at Chevalier...Mostly Blind (Chicago, IL): Tasted double blind. I thought this left bank Bordeaux, as did most others at the tasting. All black fruit, still very fresh, moderate spice. Lots of acidity and tannins not quite as balanced as other bottles I recall from the past.
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2/4/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Youthful, fresh, full bodied and concentrated, with an earthy, tobacco, forest floor, leaf and blackberry character, there is a lot of personality in this wine that is tasting at least 10 years younger than its true age.
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12/13/2014 - tcosgriff Likes this wine: 90 Points
I have drunk a number of bottles of this wine over the years and I have always rated it highly. This bottle was showing it's age with a brown rim. It faded fairly quickly after opening. It had very definite herbal notes, with some very pleasing dusty tannins, evolving to tobacco flavors. If you have any bottles, drink them up.
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9/27/2014 - WildeMeeuw Does not like this wine: 84 Points
Paris Tasting in Zwolle (again... at last) (De Librije - Zwolle): Kleur: Robijnrood met lichte verkleuring aan de rand, een beetje depot Aroma / bouquet: Opvallende tonen van laurier en vlierbessen, een beetje gebrand. Daardoor weinig complexiteit. Smaak / Afdronk: Krachtige aanzet, fris zuurtje, stevige tannines, robuust en hoekig, naar mijn mening zijn de tannines groenig. Goede vulling, afdronk indrukwekkend lang. Algemeen / potentieel: Wijn lijkt over de top. Veelal ben ik zeer onder de indruk van Togni, deze fles viel erg tegen. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Smaak / Afdronk: 13 + Algemeen / potentieel: 6 = 84/100
Google Translate:
Color: Ruby red with slight discoloration on the edge a little depot Aroma / bouquet: Striking notes of laurel and elderberries, a little burned. As a result, little complexity. Taste / Finish: Powerful start, fresh acidity, firm tannins, robust and angular, in my opinion, the tannins are even a bit greenish. Good filling, impressively long finish. General / potential: Wine seems over the hill. Mostly I am very impressed by Togni, this bottle was very disappointing. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Taste / Finish: 13 + General / potential: 6 = 84/100
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9/20/2014 - WineAggregate Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bordo/Calif Smackdown (blind), I thought this was one of the Bordos. A very nice wine in a great lineup.
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8/12/2014 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Sticking out like a sore thumb. Concentrated but definitely green and dusty and I bet that’s how it was from the beginning. A hint of cassis, blue fruits, lead pencil, flowers, green bell pepper and cedar. Silky and polished palate, nicely integrated tannins and long seamless finish. Kinda old school. Exceptional showing but definitely out of context.
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8/9/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very bordeaux like, started off great, got a bit herbaceous toward the end, but this is very nice and shows how well Togni's age.
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8/9/2014 - Uglypinga wrote:
Advanced and dusty. The palare is better rhan the nose with some bordeaux like soy sauce and some nice red fruit. Clearly showing its age though. A big hit of acid in the middle
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4/13/2014 - Papies wrote: 97 Points
Napa Valley Tour; 4/11/2014-4/15/2014 (French Laundry,Meadowood,Colgin,Araujo,Harlan....): Sourced from The winery some time ago and proudly boats a sticker that it was aged for 10 yrs in the chateau. Decanted and served.
This is a Chateau Palmer 95 :) not a Napa Cab... Open well developed nose, minty, herby side, pepper, leather and full of secondary characteristics. Very elegant on the palate, very much alive, good silky tannin, round and exceptionally balanced .has easily 10yrs of life ahead of it. This is 1st growth status and a magnificent and elegant wine. 97 and among the best wines we have come across from this part of the world
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3/2/2014 - tcosgriff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Purple color with a wonderful bouquet and flavor of eucalyptus, which climaxed in the long finish, with some pure cassis underneath. The herbal notes were quite unique in their sharpness, combining bell pepper and eucalyptus. The wine was a bit more angular than it was 5 years ago, and had probably lost some of the smoothness that I so much admired. Still, a compelling wine and an American Cabernet that recalls many great Bordeaux.
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12/26/2013 - dtirsell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 3 hours, worth the wait. Rich, complex, earthy cabernet, amazing at this age. Herbal, tobacco, brings everything from the vineyard location into the glass.
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10/27/2013 - coremill wrote: 91 Points
I liked this a lot, but no one else did. Sweet cassis, mint, herbs, cedar and tobacco, a touch green (but I'm not too sensitive to that), good intensity. Concentrated, still some structure but the tannins are soft and velvety, good length. A very nice older, traditional Napa cab. At peak, I think. Too green for some of the others.
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10/25/2013 - Kenyakid Likes this wine: 96 Points
This bottle reaffirmed that Togni has made perhaps the most consistently age-worthy American wines I've enjoyed in 30 years of enjoying wine, yet they drink great young also. This bottle was one of their library 10-year releases before my purchase and cellaring. Not too young, not old; a great mature claret. Complex nose of fruit, leather, earth, perhaps black olive, and more. A sensual texture, and a rewarding finish. Wish I had more and may have to go shopping.
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8/30/2013 - jinks Likes this wine: 94 Points
Men's Best Bottle, BB: Blind tasting. ID'ed this an old napa cab.
The incredible nose was it for me - all over the place, so interesting - earthy, fruity, layered and rich, complexity to spare.
Unfortunately, it was a bit thin and showing its age on the palate.
Still, quite enjoyable and the nose was a real treat.
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8/3/2013 - nav2u Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking sensationally now. Cassis, tobacco, leather, herbs and dark fruit. Long finish.
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3/16/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Fresh black fruit with very good spice aromas. Most tasters mistook this for Left bank Bordeaux. Very good structure and overall balance.
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2/3/2013 - BVal Likes this wine: 93 Points
Color: deep ruby -> bright garnet rim. Great bouquet of cassis, leather, tobacco with perhaps a hint of mint. Very expressive and bordeaux-like. Palate shows great finesse --again, reminiscent of great aged bordeaux. Cassis again, cigar box, minerals. Very long finish; this has aged beautifully and is absolutely drinking at peak.
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1/6/2013 - RyanJames Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic showing. Decanted for 2+ hours. Cedar, dark cherry, some soil/funk, and a touch of green pepper on the nose. Amazing concentration and length on the palate. Would have mistaken this for top notch classified-growth Bordeaux. Noticeably better than a 1985 Pichon Lalande tasted a few days ago. This is a top 5 CA producer for me after this bottle.
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11/24/2012 - d'Artagnan wrote: 92 Points
offert par Vincent
Nez poivron rouge, café, une bouche élégante mais jeune, tanins solides mais soyeux. Très joli vin qui m'a amené partout, de la Loire (poivron) á Mondavi Reserve...confondant et charmeur. Togni 1992 92 pts
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11/3/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Very Bordeaux-like. Black plum, lead pencil, cassis hints. Lean and well structured' well balanced; direct and precise on finish. In its peak drinking window, but this should easily perform well at this level for another decade.
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11/3/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 93 Points
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Pretty wine. Green and very floral. Broccoli, cauliflower , licorice. Piney, menthol. Drinking really well now. Definitely some Old World restraint with beautiful ripe dark cherry cola and leather.
Fascinating wine. Showing like a younger 00's Cabernet instead. Drink now or hold.
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9/1/2012 - tmiller Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a word. Awesome. Opened this to drink immediately, not a good idea. Barnyard stink, musky, not nice, so back into bottle. Next day, stink was replaced by lovely upfront red berry fruit with some dark berries in the background playing the supporting act. Some typical Bordeaux Cabernet notes of graphite, pencil shavings, a little cedar, all nicely in the background as well. A mint note which grew with more airing. On the palate a luscious mouthfeel, really sexy. Cassis fruit, some black currant, slightly adstringent wood. To my surprise there was enough acidity to give this a freshness I would not expect from a twenty year old Californian Cab. 12.5% alcohol, terrific!
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8/11/2012 - tbabes wrote: 97 Points
This was inserted as a ringer in a lineup of mature Bordeaux -- '82 Pichon Lalande, '82 Haut Brion, '82 Gruaud Larose, '90 Montrose, '90 Leoville Las Cases and '90 Lynch Bages -- because I've always thought it bore a striking resemblence to the '82 Gruaud Larose. In this flight, they were indistinguishable, and the '92 Togni more than held it's own.
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5/11/2012 - dcwino wrote: 98 Points
Inaugural Great Steak-Off (Clarksville, Maryland): I recently had the 97 which was extremely youthful and impressive. This was served en Magnum, Wow! The flowery perfume nose that one only gets from a great cabernet sauvignon, dark fruits, lead pencil, cassis and cedar. The nose is simply magical. Although very youth in this format, the palate is seamless, silky and has extremely long finish. The nose is very similar to Grace family cab but more floral, fresher and more expressive. My cellar is over 90% French but this is a great wine. Mesmerizing!
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4/22/2012 - Chris Forno wrote: 92 Points
Really nice wine. Tannin totally resolved and secondary fruit is all about the palate. IMHO, with age the Cali cabs don't develop the alluring nose of their Frenchy brethern but catch the right one at age 20 (insert Phillip Togni Vineyard here) and its a special experience. Beautiful texture and secondary fruit, creasote, tree bark and light spice make this wine special. No rough edges just aged claret in the finest sense.
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4/20/2012 - tbabes wrote: 88 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; popped, poured and consumed over the course of 1.5 hours. A healthy color, with just a hint of garnet at the rim. Notes of roasted herbs, asphalt, and creosote. Disappointing on the palate; much more austere and angular than previous bottles, and lacking in terms of texture and depth. Surprisingly, this bottle had been aged at the winery for 10 years.
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4/8/2012 - no leashes wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely delicious, with rich, sweet dark cherry, spice and mocha flavors. Long finish, well structured. Can drink now or hold, but why wait? This is what a cab is supposed to be.
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2/22/2012 - shiel wrote: 90 Points
Flat when opened. After an hour started to show through. Pruney and oaky, drink it now. Enjoyed the aged Cab on the palate.
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1/16/2012 - S1 wrote: 90 Points
A Vertical of Verticals part 4--Togni (Ports): Minty Eucalyptus on nose. Luden's cough drops. Similar profile to the wonderful 1990 but with more upfront fruit initially. After 30 minutes it goes to BIG STINK (almost underarm stink). Never quite regains its balance.
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1/1/2012 - abursky wrote: 95 Points
extraordinary cab; drunk in vertical with '94; '98; '07
finished 3rd - up against two classics ('94 and '07), but still remarkable character and complexity
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12/9/2011 - tbabes wrote: 93 Points
The fill was into the neck; popped, poured and consumed over the course of an entire evening. Very "typical" Togni boquet, with intense notes of creosote, roasted herbs, tapenade, black fruits and leather. Medium-bodied, with a velvety texture, great concentration of flavor, and a long a nicely focused finish. To me, this bottle seemd a bit more on the "roasted herbs" end of the spectrum (I say roasted herbs, you say green pepper) than what I typically encounter with the '92 Togni, hence the slightly lower score than ususal.
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7/23/2011 - cfe wrote:
Still fabulous!
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6/22/2011 - Mr T wrote:
Quite mature with still decent fruit but a somewhat pronounced acid component that smoothed out some with time...I would rate this 90-92 depending on where I caught it and what it was paired with.....I would not rebuy for the $125 I paid but certainly a nice mature cab that clearly looks to Bordeaux for inspiration
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5/18/2011 - SkyCellar Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not great....certainly not up to the WA 95 rating. Past its prime?
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3/26/2011 - KristianT wrote: 95 Points
Much more youthful and fruity than the previous bottles I've had. Nevertheless a truly wonderful wine. Elegance and structure. Only regret is that this is my last bottle.
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3/26/2011 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
Pop and pour, no decanting is needed.
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3/12/2011 - tbabes wrote: 97 Points
I brought this with us to dinner at Redd; the somellier opened (but did not decant) about an hour prior to service. The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound. Still a relatively youthful color, with a purple-red core, turning to blood rim at the rim. I've always found the bouquet of Togni's wines to be spellbinding, and this bottle was no exception, exhibiting notes of grilled beef, cedary black fruits, roasted herbs, tree bark and a hint of creosote. Medium bodied, with a firm backbone, ripe fruit, impressive concentration, and a velvety mouthfeel. Great focus and grip on the long and complex finish. I've went through over a case of the '92 Togni, and every single bottle has been stunning; this was my last bottle, so I'll need to source a few more! On a side note, I thought the similarity of this wine to the '82 Gruaud Larose (which we had the following night) was striking.
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3/5/2011 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
wine is in the sweet spot and still should be good for another 8+ years. Tremendous effort, indeed.
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11/26/2010 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 92 Points
At Craig's apartment in Washington belatedly celebrating his 18th birthday. Solid dark ruby. Pretty fruit in the nose. Soft, charming, fragrant. Lovely palate. Perfectly mature, fine, rich fruit with a lengthy soft, fruity finish. Not a blockbuster, but an excellent drink at 18 years. 5-12-17-8: 92/100
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11/2/2010 - tbabes wrote: 96 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork (which had a worrisome stain on the top, right underneath the foil) was sound. A dark ruby-red color, with some garnet at the rim. A wonderfully expressive bouquet, offering up gobs of ripe black fruits, roasted herbs, tree bark and black truffle. Medium bodied, with a round and inviting texture, great depth and impressive focus and delineation on the long finish. This bottle served as a great reminder of why I fell in love with Togni's wines over 10 years ago!
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8/21/2010 - WineAggregate wrote: 94 Points
Best of the Togni vertical.
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8/9/2010 - cfe wrote:
No detailed notes, but fabulous showing of this wine! Strong herbal signature (in a good way), would not ID this as CA cab blind. Good secondary development, might be a touch on the down hill side, but very expressive and enjoyable.
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2/27/2010 - IAMVLAD wrote: 92 Points
aging well. full cabernet taste. solid aromatics. will probably drink last bottle sooner rather than later.
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1/5/2010 - Edclr wrote: 95 Points
Wine of the day at the Garden Club meeting. With short ribs with a very heavy red wine reduction sauce, this sang. Beat 6 other bordeaux and 4 Cal cabs. But, in defense, it did need food. This is one of the really under appreciated Cal Cab producers. His wines age beautifullly. and are at theiir best about 15 years from the vintage date.
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12/25/2009 - tbabes wrote: 96 Points
This wine has delivered the goods every single time that I have tasted it, and is (in my opinion) the best vintage that Togni has ever produced. This wine is fully mature, but I think should continue to hold its magic for at least another 5 to 7 years. The fill was into the the neck; opened about 45 minutes prior to dinner. An intriguing bouquet, with notes of creosote, ripe black fruits and tapenade. Medium bodied, with great balance, impressive depth, and impeccable focus.
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12/25/2009 - knelsfk wrote: 94 Points
Dark purple color; nose of coffee, spice, chocolate and minerals; full body, rich texture; flavors of ripe black berries in perfect balance with the firm tannis; beginning to show some secondary flavors; long finish; continues to drink well with no signs of fading.
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10/3/2009 - WineAggregate wrote: 95 Points
Ripe, rich, a great wine, totally redeemed itself after the last bottle.
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7/12/2009 - tbabes wrote: 93 Points
The fill was base neck and the cork was stained to the top, but came out easily enough. A ruby-purple core, turning towards pink/garnet at the edge. Notes of briar patch, creosote, tapenade, dark fruits and crushed rocks (mineral). Medium-bodied, with a generous character, classic/firm structure, outstanding concentration, and a long, well delineated finish. Not quite up to the standard of previous bottles, but a fantastic moutfull of wine!
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7/12/2009 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful wine and it drinking beautifully. Decanted 30 minutes.
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5/30/2009 - tbabes wrote: 95 Points
The fill was very top shoulder and the cork was sound. A murky purple core, turning to garnet at the rim. Notes of ripe dark fruits, smoke, tapenade and hot rocks. Medium to full bodied, with that classic Spring Mountain structure, layers of depth and flavor, and a long, complex finish.
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4/8/2009 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Passover Seder @ Chez Ehrenreich w Todd, Jamie, Matthew(4), Samantha(2-1/2), LindaJamie's mom-Brighton Beach), and Hellen Jamie's 90 yr young grandma.Clearly best, deepest, and most complex vs 91 Pahlmeyer
Red Wine, and 91 Anderson Conn Creek.
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3/14/2009 - psmith wrote:
Nice nose - softened with classic styling, black olive and dark fruits and earth. Still firm on the palate, but turning a bit sharp on the finish. Good wine.
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2/13/2009 - jordanj wrote: 96 Points
Dark and youthful in color and opaque. What’s not to like? Extremely powerful nose of tobacco burnt cherries, chocolate, forest floor, toast- an expression of a real great oak aroma, and maybe a faint hint of cinnamon, perfume, and grilled steak. I am usually not a fan of wines that some would call oakey, but this is fabulous and adds to the complexity. As the wine sits in the glass it becomes even more haunting. In the mouth the wine shows great feel with the only complaint being a moderately high bite from acidity. The wine is big and dense and full of flavor. This is an expression of California Cabernet that is found not too often. Easily one of the best Cabs I have had in the last 12 months. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this wine last another 10-15 years and see it even improve a touch. If I owned more though, they wouldn’t last!
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12/22/2008 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
Fill was into the neck, the cork was sound. Quite youthful appearance (nearly opaque) with a purple core turning towards garnet at the edge. The "typical" Togni bouquet of ripe dark fruits, tapenade and creosote was readily apparent. Rather full bodied on the palate, with fine concentration, good richness, and a long, complex finish. I have had better bottles, but this was still outstanding.
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11/7/2008 - Charlie Carnes wrote: flawed
Sadly this bottle had tons of bubbles when I poured it into the decanter. They looked like soap; only, I use salt and ice to clean my decanters. Totally shot. This is the first turned bottle of Togni for me. Disappointing, but their track record is too good for me to lament.
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6/29/2008 - tbabes wrote: 96 Points
I had the '93 Togni earlier in the week; it was so good that I decided to re-visit my Togni "benchmark" 1992. Paired with Flannery NY Strip Steaks, roasted potatoes, and grilled vegetables. This bottle had been aged 10 years at the Togni winery. An incredibly youthful color; is this the '02 or the '92? An opaque purple core, turning to ruby at the rim. The typical Togni fireworks on the nose, offering up scents of ripe dark fruits, smoke, creosote and tapenade. Very rich and intense in the mouth, with a full and generous mid-palate, classic structure, and a long, complex finish. This still has some upside; I'll drink my remaining bottles over the next 15 years.
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6/7/2008 - cfe wrote: 93 Points
still dard red. Lovely nose of leather, herbs, hints of the more bell pepper side of things but in a good way, and aged cabernet aromas - currants, meat, and more leather with barnyardy notes. Very complex and enjoyable. Palate is medium weight, nicely balanced, certainly softened up a bit, but the fruit/tannin/acids are all in balance. Flaveor of currants, leather, and herbs are very nicely integrated, and carry through to a long finish. The wine is mature, but in no danger of decline.
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5/2/2008 - babnik wrote: 92 Points
Still has loads of tannins to resolve but the fruit and structure promise that someday(?) this wine is going to be great. If I owned another, I'd hold 5 more years. Brambly dark fruits, tobacco, cedar, licorice, wood smoke. 92 points now but could be a couple higher on its 30th birthday.
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3/29/2008 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
DAWGS offline with GreenDrazi (Suze in Dallas, TX): WIML92?
Tasted March 29, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Nose of dried herbs, mixed fruits and earth. Flavors of black cherries, berries and black licorice. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold.
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11/27/2007 - M&D24 wrote:
Terrific surprise from an underrated producer !! One of the most expansive noses we have encountered in a California cabernet. Explosive cedar with hints of tobacco...almost "Bordeaux-like." Perfectly mature yet with no signs of decline for the near future. The mouth feel was full and round and featured dark cherry fruit with hints of tobacco and anise. The finish was very long, extremely well balanced yet elegant.
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4/2/2007 - Mr T wrote: 89 Points
Dinner at the club and no decant. Drunk a bit quickly given trying to get to the movie w/ the kids. Clearly more bordeaux and than cali in taste and nose. Very dark and virtually no bricking. Better w/ time, but must confess would have preferred a bit more fruit. Doubt I would buy more at this price.
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1/11/2007 - DelYap wrote: 84 Points
Wine Pot Luck 03 Chave, 90 Lafite, 85 Groth Reserve et al: I must preface this with the knowledge that I do not enjoy Togni's wine. I just don't like herbaceous characters in my cabs and this always has it in spades. Right from the nose to the finish this was like cooked asparagus or green peppers. We opened both the 1996 and 1992 and both were downright unenjoyable. I am not a fan of most Spring Mountain cabs.
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12/25/2006 - no leashes wrote: 95 Points
Delicious sweet fruit flavors, with a touch of spice and coffee. Fine, soft tannins, beautiful mouth feel. Just perfect! Served with Jeannine's roast goose (with a sauce of prunes and armagnac) for Christmas dinner, a perfect match.
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9/4/2006 - aamster wrote: 65 Points
GREEN PEPPER. NO FINISH. WINE WAS AGED 10 YEARS AT THE WINERY. VERY DISAPPOINTING AT ANY PRICE, BUT A TOTAL RIP-OFF AT +$100.
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4/22/2006 - GreenDrazi wrote: 95 Points
Atlanta Off-line with Ron Kramer (Bones Restaurant, Atlanta, GA): Decanted(?) and screened. Red fruit, cassis and light spice aromas. Graceful, seamless and balanced blend of dark cassis, red fruits and a touch of anise spice flavors with some mineral notes. A plush, soft entry that turned silky smooth and gained a touch more spice on the mid-palate with refined and intriguing depth leading to a lengthy, lingering finish that left me wanting more. This had an incredible amount of sediment that fortunately remained in the bottle thanks to the screened stopper. My WOTN - well, ....... other than the '88 Krug.
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3/4/2006 - Siggy wrote: 92 Points
Less evolved than the other two bottles. Dark ruby with medium amber at the rim. Rich, powerful cherry fruit, cedar, black licorice, and a hint of menthol. The finish turned oaky and slightly sweet, with grippy, fine-grained tannins.
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10/16/2005 - ipp wrote: 95 Points
nose of roasted meat and herbs, possible sage and rosemary ... still dark ruby red, with no sign of browning at all ... chewy and full-bodied, overpowering at first, but awesome once you get use to it ... nice finish
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8/26/2005 - Siggy wrote: 96 Points
Deep brick red, showing slight amber at the rim. Pauillac-like nose of cedar and pencil shavings. Smoky, rich blackberry fruit, with layers of minerals, eucalyptus, licorice, and leather. So much structure here. The tannins are mature but not fully resolved. Very long finish. A beautiful, reference point California Cab. I hope the 2001 is this good on 10 years!
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5/1/2005 - DBall wrote:
Still tannic on opening. Nose is closed. Ruby red to purple. Once open (after an hour or so) lots of cherry and cassis. Very tasty, but can last many more years.
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4/10/2005 - RJD wrote: flawed
Corked big time
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4/17/2004 - buckeye76 wrote: 95 Points
NOSE WENT FROM DEEP FRUIT, TAR, AND EARTHINESS TO BLACKBERRIES, BLACKCURRENT AND MINT. FLAVOR LIKE THE NOSE, DEEP FRUIT WITH A TOUCH OF MINT AND CHOCOLATE. VERY COMPLEX. LONG FINISH.
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2/13/2004 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 92 Points
Tasted in double-blind fashion at Vintage Wines, Ltd. Bottle provided by Ken Johnson. Bright disc. Opaque garnet robe with slight bricking at the rim. Clean nose, showing moderately intense aromas of dark chocolate, leather, brier, black plum and roasted herbs. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, big sweet tannins and similar flavors as for the nose. Medium, fairly smooth finish.
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10/3/2003 - Siggy wrote: 94 Points
Still youthful and dark, with a Bordeaux-like profile. Can easily go another 10+ years.
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12/23/2002 - ipp wrote: 95 Points
huge nose of wet earth and cured meat, dark color, big polished tannins, long finish ... Fantastic
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9/29/2001 - chbeaumont wrote:
A good winewhich was a touch vegatal. balanced but lacked real depth .13
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9/25/1999 - mdefreitas wrote: 87 Points
Great Cult Tasting: Seems to have good fruit extraction, but the herbal elements are a bit too much for me.
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