As I have noted in the past, Togni holds back 100 cases of each vintage to be released at age ten. Although 1998 was a challenging vintage in California, this 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has evolved into a beautiful wine. If you want to throw a California Cabernet into a blind tasting of first and second-growth Bordeaux, this is the wine to choose. A dead-ringer for a top-class Pauillac, it offers leafy, cedary, licorice, red and black currant, and roasted herb aromas. In the mouth, the Bordeaux-like austerity continues with noticeable tannin as well as a slightly dry finish. Nevertheless, this wine is showing well, although I would not hold it longer than 5-6 years, atypical for a Togni.This is an irrefutable source of remarkable Cabernet Sauvignons that last 20-30+ years! Philip Togni is a no-nonsense, tough-minded guy who is working alongside his daughter, so the succession at this winery is guaranteed should he ever decide to retire.Tel. (707) 963-3731; Fax (707) 963-9186