Winemaker Notes
A wine of authority and clarity, the 2007 FUTO displays an inky purple hue. A nose of vivid blue fruit, crushed rocks, spring flowers, and cedar. On the palate, the wine reveals layers of depth and extract, with a core of opulent blue and black fruits, licorice and a suggestion of citrus oil. The finish is persistent with mouth-filling tannin complexed with sweet minerality. This vintage, while compelling in its youth, will continue to evolve with extended cellaring.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
These proprietary reds are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2007 is the finest wine yet produced at Futo. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, a whopping 33% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet bouquet of blue and black fruits, spring flowers, and crushed rocks, full-bodied power allied to compelling elegance, and a layered, multidimensional personality. There is plenty of depth in this beauty, and it is no doubt capable of putting on lots of weight and complexity given the Cabernet Franc component. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 20-25 years.
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Wine Spectator
Offers a tight, compelling mix of herb, dried currant, mineral, sage and dusty, cedary oak, with black licorice, prune and graphite flavors that are full-bodied, dense and concentrated, ending with a long, gripping finish that keeps the flavors dancing. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2012 through 2022. 374 cases made.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.