Futo Helianthus 2015
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 19% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the 2015s and from a single vineyard off the Old Soda Spring road (this is purchased fruit, yet the farming is managed by the Futo team), the 2015 He-Li-An-Thus has beautiful purity and complexity in its floral, cassis, blueberry, spice and rose petal-scented bouquet. This carries to a full-bodied, ripe, unctuous beauty that has sweet tannin and a great, great finish. It can be enjoyed today or cellared for 15-20 years.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is not a Futo property, but it is made by Futo. The 2015 Proprietary Red He-Li-An-Thus is blended of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 19% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc, all co-fermented. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass like a young pup with bold, expressive scents of black and red cherries, wild blueberries and rose hips plus touches of bay leaves, pencil shavings and Marmite. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, with beautiful freshness and vivacity, it has a chewy frame and long savory finish. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 257 cases were made.
Other Vintages
2016-
James
Suckling
-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
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.