Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District 2018

Amidst our role-defining search for the most exciting debut and rare brands, our measuring stick for excellence has been, and will always be, the legendary estates that pioneered the success of this valley decades ago. Philip Togni is one of ACME's north stars. His eponymous estate and vineyard on Spring Mountain are respected by his local colleagues and ardent fans worldwide.

Philip settled down in the Napa Valley in 1958 after cutting his teeth in Bordeaux. His resume reads like a winemaker's bucket list: He began at Château Lascombes in Margaux, worked alongside Bob Travers at Mayacamas, made the legendary 1969 vintage of Cabernet at Chappellet (considered by many to be one of the best Napa Cabernets ever produced), was recruited to start Chalone, and was the first winemaker at Cuvaison. He also took first place in a reenactment of the Judgment of Paris in Belgium in 1996 with the 1990 Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet, which ranked ahead of Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and esteemed California producers. To call this man a legend is almost a slight. He is more than that - he is one of the godfathers of Napa Valley winemaking and a true inspiration to us here in the Napa Valley!

Philip purchased his Spring Mountain estate in 1975 and began planting in 1981. The ten-acre vineyard is farmed organically by Togni and his daughter Lisa, who has recently taken the helm in the cellar. The estate is heralded as one of just 23 U.S. wineries in Robert Parker's book, 'The World's Greatest Wine Estates.'  Every bit of effort and expertise that Philip has to show after 64 years of winemaking in Napa Valley is evident in his final product.