2016 OV/SL

Leading off with the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon OV|SL, which is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, this wine offers an incredibly pure, precise profile that carries loads of crème de cassis, crushed rocks and white flower-like aromas and flavors. It’s deep, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, has sensational purity of fruit, building tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. This cuvée comes from two sites, one in Stags Leap and one in Oakville, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Give bottles a good 4-5 years of cellaring and it will keep for two decades.

The 2016 OV SL is powerful and also a bit tightly wound for this wine, with terrific energy and plenty of cut, but perhaps a bit less volume than is typically the case. Dark cherry, crushed rocks, menthol, leather and dried flowers add shades of nuance throughout. The 2016 was bottled about three months ago and may be shutting down. To be sure, it was much showier from barrel.

The OV/SL is a blend of fruit from Futo's two estate properties in Stags Leap and Oakville. The first vintage of this wine was 2012. The 2016 Proprietary Red OV/SL is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with beautiful scents of candied violets, oolong tea, garrigue, black olives and cinnamon stick over a core of plum preserves, wild blueberries and black cherry compote plus a waft of potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a very impressive structure of very ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness framing the densely packed black fruit and spice layers, finishing long with a minty lift. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered, and 648 cases were produced.