Futo

Estate Red

Oakville, United States

2016

Vintage

Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon

Peak 2028-2044

Where it is, September 2026

Approaching Peak: the peak window is ahead.

The Futo 2016 Estate Red crossed into its drinking window in 2023 and is now fully accessible in May 2026, having spent the first decade developing the structural complexity that defines Oakville's finest Cabernet-based wines. The nose at ten years old has settled into a beautifully layered aromatic profile where the primary violet and dark fruit character of the 2016 vintage has developed an additional dimension of cigar box, dried herb, and subtle earth. The grainy, ripe tannins have softened considerably from release without losing their defining texture, and the freshness that Wine Advocate noted at the time of original assessment remains vibrantly present in the palate's midpoint. This is an excellent window to experience the wine in full stride. The peak from 2028 to 2044 means there is still significant upside for those willing to give it additional time, but opening a bottle now with two hours of decanting will be a memorable experience.

More wines like this

The ‘16 Estate Red.

A deeply aromatic, opulent Oakville Cabernet blend that leads with violet, oolong tea, and dark fruit complexity, built at biodynamic low yields for long aging through the 2040s.

Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) drinking timeline

Full drinking arcYou are here · approaching peak, 2026

Storage and bottle condition can shift the experience.

Full drinking arc 2023-2054Peak window 2028-2044

The peak window sits inside the broader full drinking arc.

Tasting note

Futo's 2016 Estate Red pours a deep garnet-purple of considerable intensity, the color showing the concentration that Oakville's volcanic and alluvial soils deliver when farmed at the obsessive level Futo demands. On the nose, candied violets and oolong tea immediately distinguish this wine from its Oakville peers: alongside these distinctive florals come garrigue, black olives, and cinnamon stick over a foundation of plum preserves, wild blueberry, and black cherry compote with a drift of potpourri. The aromatic profile is layered, with each successive sniff revealing new complexity as the wine opens in the glass. This 71-percent Cabernet Sauvignon blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot subordinates each component in service of an overall harmony that is unmistakably Futo in character: opulent but not heavy, aromatic but precise. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with very ripe, grainy tannins that carry a distinctive powder-like texture on the finish. Freshness is excellent for the weight, driven by natural Oakville acidity, and the long finish carries a characteristic minty lift alongside ripe dark fruit, integrating seamlessly into a conclusion of impressive length and complexity. This Estate Red stands as one of Futo's most complete and compelling expressions.

The 2016 vintage

The 2016 vintage in Oakville, Napa Valley was exceptional by any measure. A moderate winter with adequate rainfall gave way to a cool, even-tempered summer that preserved natural acidity while allowing Cabernet Sauvignon and its blending partners to ripen slowly and completely. Harvest in September 2016 proceeded under ideal conditions, with cool nights maintaining freshness and warm days completing phenolic maturity without heat stress. For Futo's dual estate sites in Oakville and Stags Leap, the vintage delivered fruit of superb concentration and physiological completeness, producing wines with greater structural depth than the immediately preceding years without sacrificing the freshness and lift that defines the finest Napa Cabernet blends. The 2016 Napa vintage is widely regarded as one of the decade's finest for long-term aging.

About Futo

Futo is a Napa Valley estate owned by the family behind the Thomas Pink clothing brand, dedicated to producing single-estate wines of the highest possible quality from two extraordinary terroirs: Oakville and the Stags Leap District. The estate farms its vineyards at extremely low yields using biodynamic principles and works with winemaker Andy Erickson to produce wines of exceptional intensity and precision. Futo's hallmark is a distinctive aromatic complexity, particularly the violet and oolong tea notes that appear consistently across their Estate Red and 5500 bottlings, a signature that reflects both the farming philosophy and the specific character of their vineyard sites.

From the cellar: pair with

Prime ribeye with compound herb butter and roasted bone marrow

The ribeye's fat and char intensity draws out the Estate Red's dark fruit core and grainy tannin texture, while the herb butter echoes the wine's garrigue and minty finish.

Braised short rib with black truffle and celery root puree

The concentrated collagen and truffle earthiness of braised short rib align precisely with the Estate Red's potpourri and dark fruit depth, creating a pairing of mutual amplification.

Lamb rack with olive tapenade and roasted eggplant

The olive and eggplant mirror the wine's notable black olive and garrigue character from its Oakville terroir, making this a pairing built on shared Mediterranean-inflected aromatics.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 17-19C / 63-66F
Decanting: Decant for two hours. The 2016 Futo Estate Red is in its drinking window but benefits substantially from extended air exposure to fully develop the layered aromatic profile that defines this wine. A wide-bodied decanter at serving temperature is ideal.
Cellar Storage: 12-14C / 54-57F

Track this bottle Read this guide

Frequently Asked

What are the two estate sites that go into the Futo Estate Red?

The Estate Red is a blend from Futo's Oakville and Stags Leap District vineyard sites, designated OV/SL. Each site contributes distinct characteristics that Futo blends for a unified estate expression.

What grape varieties are in the 2016 Estate Red?

The 2016 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot.

Is the 2016 Estate Red ready to drink?

The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2023-2054. Within that arc, the peak window is 2028-2044. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.

What makes Futo's aromatics different from other Napa Cabernet producers?

Futo is known for a distinctive violet, oolong tea, and garrigue aromatic profile that sets their wines apart from more conventionally fruit-forward Napa Cabernets. This reflects both the estate's biodynamic farming and the specific character of their Oakville and Stags Leap terroirs.