2005 Futo Red
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Tasting notes
This brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine comes from a hillside vineyard in the Oakville corridor, just a stone’s throw from Harlan Estate. Normally this wine tends to be about 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The vineyard is overseen by David Abreu, and this, their second vintage, was made by Mark Aubert. This is obviously a great site. The purity of the blueberry and cassis fruit exhibited, as well as a floral note combined with licorice and graphite, are all hallmarks of this opaque purple wine. It also has notes of pen ink and a full-bodied, lavishly fruity mouthfeel. Beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood are present. Proprietor Tom Futo has created a justifiable buzz for the high quality of his wines. Drink this one over the next 20-25 years.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Good medium ruby. Hugely ripe aromas of sappy black raspberry, black cherry, mocha and smoke, with a whiff of maple syrup. Lush, sweet and seductive; a wine of outstanding fullness if not quite the complexity of the 2006, which has the advantage of some Cabernet Franc. The tannins are remarkably lush, broad and sweet. (ST)
The 2005, which is again a wine dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, has a dense purple color, gorgeous structure, good acidity, but full-bodied power, a layered mouthfeel, and sweet oak (mostly Taransaud) that integrates beautifully into the black currant and blackberry fruit intermixed with espresso, licorice, and spice. This is another beauty, slightly more restrained and less flamboyant compared to 2004, but built for the long haul. This wine should age for 20-25 years. Just a stone’s throw down the hill from the Harlan Estate vineyard is a five-acre parcel of hillside vineyards, planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, owned by Tom and Kyle Futo. Formerly, this was the Oakford Estate Vineyard. The viticulture is overseen by the superstar in that field, David Abreu, and the winemaker is another renowned name, Mark Aubert. The first vintage to be released will be the 2004, which is only 100 cases, but then production jumps to 200 in 2005 and 500+ in 2006. Their goal is to produce just under 1,000 cases when everything comes into production. The site is beautiful, and there is considerable buzz about what’s going on. (Not yet released) Tel. (707) 944-9333; Fax (707) 944-9334