To tart, lacks charm, though the fruit intensity is good and the tannins are polished. Medium finish, straightforward. Better in 5 to 10 perhaps but doubt the structure will resolve it self.
Absolutely stunning! Deep concentrated purple, aromas of crushed blueberries, sweet leather, herbs and toasty wood. Dense in the mouth, with great concentration, but a lifted and feel. Flavors are layered, with lavender, dried flowers, tobacco and bright minerality. Mid palate richness finishes with a persistent tannin and finish that sails on and on. Drinking really well.
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Tasted at the FUTO property. Stunning aromatics, crushed flowers and subtle note of sweet plum, and clean earth. Rich, but lighter than the Oakville or Stags Leap bottlings. Mouthfeel is full, with earthy minerality, ripe dark fruits and sweet hard candy. Generous, but balanced with persistent tannin and gorgeous acidity.
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Futo knocks it out of the park with this youngster. Floral aromas followed by smooth black cherry and plum flavors. Slight oak and earthiness add complexity on the palate. Love these wines. Decant for at least 90 minutes.
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This ripe and primary Cabernet is drinking impressively right now, especially after a few hours of air, but the best is yet to come - and it could be quite stunning. Ruby red in color and medium in body, the wine offers aromas that are evocative but raw - e.g., coffee bean, blackberry, fresh herbs, and gravel. The tastes are both luscious and savory, with notes of boysenberry, espresso, leather, and graphite, and a finish that carries a hint of olive and is more prickly than sweet. Blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. 14.5% alcohol. Better on second day.
The 2016 seems more accessible than the 2015, perhaps because of the greater amount of Merlot or maybe just that it has that juicy, round profile of so many young 2016s. It's interesting to think of the tension in the wine as relating to site: the earthy, savory, peppery, prickly notes from Stag's Leap and the round, silky, ripe, plush notes from Oakville. Whatever their origin, these threads give the wine notable tension, which gives me high hopes for when it all integrates. I'd recommend waiting until 2021, but I probably lack the willpower to heed my own counsel. 95 for now, with significant upside in the years to come.
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8/14/2022 - Philip67 Does not like this wine: 90 Points
To tart, lacks charm, though the fruit intensity is good and the tannins are polished. Medium finish, straightforward. Better in 5 to 10 perhaps but doubt the structure will resolve it self.
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6/20/2022 - P.A. Cross wrote:
Absolutely stunning! Deep concentrated purple, aromas of crushed blueberries, sweet leather, herbs and toasty wood. Dense in the mouth, with great concentration, but a lifted and feel. Flavors are layered, with
lavender, dried flowers, tobacco and bright minerality. Mid palate richness finishes with a persistent tannin and finish that sails on and on. Drinking really well.
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4/2/2022 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 93 Points
Velvety. Still very primary but nice complexity. Thinking it’ll be great in a few more years.
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1/30/2022 - P.A. Cross wrote:
Tasted at the FUTO property. Stunning aromatics, crushed flowers and subtle note of sweet plum, and clean earth. Rich, but lighter than the Oakville or Stags Leap bottlings. Mouthfeel is full, with earthy minerality, ripe dark fruits and sweet hard candy. Generous, but balanced with persistent tannin and gorgeous acidity.
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7/8/2019 - blarmston Likes this wine: 94 Points
A very nice bottle of wine, but painfully young. Needs several years to integrate, and when it does, I expect this to be a knockout.
94 for now with big upside
HOLD remaining bottles for at least 3 years.
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5/31/2019 - jcampano Likes this wine: 96 Points
Futo knocks it out of the park with this youngster. Floral aromas followed by smooth black cherry and plum flavors. Slight oak and earthiness add complexity on the palate. Love these wines. Decant for at least 90 minutes.
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3/6/2019 - msuwine Likes this wine: 95 Points
This ripe and primary Cabernet is drinking impressively right now, especially after a few hours of air, but the best is yet to come - and it could be quite stunning. Ruby red in color and medium in body, the wine offers aromas that are evocative but raw - e.g., coffee bean, blackberry, fresh herbs, and gravel. The tastes are both luscious and savory, with notes of boysenberry, espresso, leather, and graphite, and a finish that carries a hint of olive and is more prickly than sweet. Blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. 14.5% alcohol. Better on second day.
The 2016 seems more accessible than the 2015, perhaps because of the greater amount of Merlot or maybe just that it has that juicy, round profile of so many young 2016s. It's interesting to think of the tension in the wine as relating to site: the earthy, savory, peppery, prickly notes from Stag's Leap and the round, silky, ripe, plush notes from Oakville. Whatever their origin, these threads give the wine notable tension, which gives me high hopes for when it all integrates. I'd recommend waiting until 2021, but I probably lack the willpower to heed my own counsel. 95 for now, with significant upside in the years to come.
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