Winemaker Notes
A wine of pure energy and vitality, the 2016 FUTO Oakville has a sense of total completeness. Deep, and almost opaque in color, the pixelated black fruit, crushed flowers, and dark mineral aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is full bodied, and possesses superb textural intensity. Black cherry, lavender, spice and blood orange all infuse the mid palate. While the layered tannin, that possesses glacial like purity, draws the finish long and ultra fine. 77% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 18% CABERNET FRANC, 3% PETIT VERDOT, 2% MERLOT.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This wine comes from Futo's Oakville estate: six separate vineyard sites at 250 to 500 feet in elevation planted on decomposed sandstone and shale from ancient uplifted seabed. The first vintage was 2004. The 2016 Proprietary Red Estate is blended of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly unfurls to offer wonderfully savory notions of smoked meats, sautéed herbs, tapenade and truffles over a core of warm cassis, blackberry pie and kirsch plus suggestions of tilled soil, fallen leaves and espresso. Medium to full-bodied and built like a brick house, the lithe, muscular fruit is tightly intertwined with loads of mineral and savory nuances plus a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and incredibly layered. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered; 658 cases were made.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.