Philip Togni has been a favorite at the Merch for years, but his wines require patience. Robert Keenan has been generating fantastic press for several vintages and his Cabs are amply rewarding. Check out the list to see all of these fabulous bottlings!
2010 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
On Sale $92.99
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its length and total class. Mocha, game, smoke, graphite and plums are all supported by veins of cool, insistent minerality. This isn’t a blockbuster Cabernet, rather it is a wine that impresses for its finesse and precision. Sweet red cherries, mint, pencil shavings and violets are some of the notes that are layered into the super-refined finish. As always, Togni’s Cabernet Sauvignon is distinguished for an extraordinary bouquet that recalls some of the great wines of the Medoc and the structure to age gracefully for years. It will be interesting to see if the 2010 blossoms in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.
95+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2009 Cliff Lede "Poetry" Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
On Sale $149.99
Lede’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry brings together the aromatic nuance and overt florality of the Landslide Fire with the heft and concentration of the Songbook, a pretty appealing combination in my book. Power and richness dominate in a wine that nevertheless retains considerable finesse. Over time, the more silky, gracious side of the Poetry emerges as layers of fruit appear to blossom in all directions. This is another totally delicious, compelling wine from Cliff Lede. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028.
94 points The Wine Advocate
2009 Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Spring Mountain
On Sale $108.99
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve shares much of the same aromatic flavor profile as the 2010, but it is a bit less tannic and structured. Layers of fruit build to an effortless, huge finish long on texture and pure class. This voluptuous, highly expressive Cabernet Sauvignon is likely to drink well earlier than the 2010, but it also has the pedigree to age gracefully for years. The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity:2017-2029
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2009 Robert Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
On Sale $47.99
Keenan’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the highlights in this portfolio. Rich and voluptuous, it totally saturates the palate from start to finish. Dark fruit, violets, spices and licorice all flesh out in this large-scaled, dramatic Cabernet Sauvignon. Everything simply works. The 2009 is a great wine. Even better, it is extremely fairly priced considering the quality of what is in the bottle. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. I imagine another few years of bottle age will only help the 2009 develop even more complexity. In this vintage the Cabernet Sauvignon is 73% from Spring Mountain and 27% from Pope Valley. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2009 Robert Keenan Merlot Mailbox Vineyard Spring Mountain
On Sale $63.99
Sweet, dark cherries, tobacco, flowers and leather all come to life in the 2009 Merlot Reserve Mailbox Vineyard. The 2009 is a terrific wine with plenty of mid-palate pliancy and depth, although it can’t match the energy or vibrancy of the 2010, unfair as that comparison may be. The 2009 Reserve should enjoy a fairly wide and long drinking window. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2029.
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2009 Robert Keenan Merlot Napa Valley
On Sale $37.99
The 2009 Merlot is a bigger, richer wine than the 2010, but it doesn’t have that wine’s finesse or vibrancy. Still, there is an immediacy and a juiciness in the 2009 that is highly appealing. Hints of sweet tobacco, crushed flowers and incense are layered into the expressive finish. The tannins remain a bit rough and polished within the context of the estate’s finest wines. The Merlot is made from a combination of Spring Mountain and Carneros Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2008 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
On Sale $85.99
A huge Cabernet, in the best sense of the word. It wasn’t the easiest vintage, as 2007 was, but meticulous winemaking did the job, resulting in this amazingly rich, impressively ripe wine that’s drinkable now and will develop for many years. The fruits veer toward blackberries, cherries and cola, and the tannins are soft and refined. One hundred percent new French oak isn’t at all heavy, lending nuances of buttered toast and sweet wood tannins. Will easily age for 15 years.
96 points Wine Enthusiast
2009 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
On Sale $85.99
From the winery’s estate vineyard, on the eastern side of the Oakville appellation, this Cab is incredibly lush and delicious. It dazzles with rich blackberry, cherry pie, currant and cassis liqueur flavors, perfectly accented by sweet, smoky oak. It’s soft in tannins, yet ageworthy. Drink now–2020.
93 points Wine Enthusiast
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