Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Philip Togni Vineyard 1994

As is the practice at this winery, they hold back 50 or so cases of their finest vintages for release after a decade. The current release of their library selection is the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon, a magnificent effort that, for me, is one of Togni's six or seven finest wines. Its deep plum/purple color reveals only a touch of lightening at the edge. A glorious perfume offers up aromas of plums, figs, creme de cassis, smoke, hickory spice, and high quality cigar tobacco. In a blind tasting, this California Cabernet could easily be mistaken for a great Pauillac given its structure, density, richness, and perfume. This 1994 is just beginning to move into its adolescence. Even though it has 20-25 years of life remaining, it is approachable. It is a monumental Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the valley's legacy producers.