2019 FUTO Oakville

This is the first pure cabernet sauvignon in this bottling and it’s spectacular. So much dark fruit and dark plums with lead pencil shavings, yet at the same time it remains fresh and fine. Full-bodied with layers of fine-grain tannins that spread across the palate. It’s finely plush and endless. It expands at the end. Really incredible. Great tension. Try after 2026 or 2027. (02/2022)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate showed brilliantly, with a deep purple hue as well as a young, unevolved, yet incredibly promising bouquet of blackcurrants, mulberries, tobacco leaf, earth, iron, freshly sharpened pencils, and chocolate. It's every bit as impressive on the palate and is full-bodied, with a concentrated, focused, serious style, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It needs plenty of air to show at its best today, but it's going to benefit from at least 5-7 years of bottle age, and my money is on it evolving gracefully for 20-30 years. This is a brilliant Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. (12/2021)