2016 FUTO Estate Red Blend Oakville

JS98 The aromas of currant bush, fresh herbs and dark berries are wonderful. Full to medium body, with extraordinary subtle and complex flavors of dark fruit and wet earth. Succulent finish. Shows vibrance and clarity. Hard not to drink now.

WA98 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.

JD97 Moving to the Estate release, the 2016 Estate offers a Graves-like gravelly minerality as well as beautiful, savory dark fruits, graphite, and dried herb aromas. It’s full-bodied, backward, and tight on the palate, but is just loaded with potential. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and it will keep for three decades or more.