FUTO Seta Red Wine Napa Valley 2021

FUTO Estate is an ultra-premium winery at the top of a pocket canyon that offers jaw-dropping views over Far Niente, Martha's Vineyard, Opus One, and a direct sightline to Dalla Valle at equal elevation across the valley floor. Its 144 acres (not all under vine) surround iconic neighbors Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory. Formerly Oakford Vineyards, a 40-acre site where Heidi Barrett and Mark Aubert were once the resident winemakers, this unique property already had all the foundations for optimal elegance and style. Combine this distinguished vineyard location with the design of renowned architect Howard Backen, vineyard guru David Abreu, and a winery crew all with exacting purpose and vision, and the result is flawless luxury.  Cabernet Sauvignon makes up most of the FUTO Estate vineyards, with approximately 15% Cabernet Franc, and touches of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.  After establishing their winery, the Futo family purchased a 40-acre property in the Stags Leap District, home to a 10-acre Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vineyard.  The resulting wines from each site are undeniably Napa Valley at its very finest.

Jason Exposto, a graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at Lincoln University in New Zealand, has been the mastermind behind FUTO wines since 2009.  Before joining the team, Jason honed his skills with Bordeaux varietals in New Zealand, Australia, France, and right here in Napa Valley. Connecting his deep love for viticulture and his vinification talents, he assumed full control of the winemaking operation just a year after joining the team, following guidance from Mark Aubert in 2008 and 2009.  Jason's responsibilities extend to all aspects of vineyard management and viticulture, ensuring that every step from grape to bottle is executed to perfection.

Making outstanding wines requires exacting measures and a sureness from the winemaker of the precise profile they're seeking.  These conditions mean there are instances when fruit from the same reputable vineyard that received the same TLC in the vineyard and cellar does not make the cut for the final blend.  Not because of lesser quality but simply because it would alter the end ideal the winemaker is pursuing.  As is the case with FUTO's newest release, Seta, these barrels represent lots that were in excess of what was needed so in the end, they were not selected for their other estate wines, but were just too remarkable to sell off to another producer. 

The inaugural 2021 Seta Red Wine blends 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot.  Like all their wines, Seta is 100% free-run juice.  Weighty, dark fruit aromas permeate the nose, braced by undertones of spice, licorice, and sage.  Fine-grained tannins softly spread across the full-bodied palate, lightened by a delicate but certain acidity.   Take one sip of FUTO's 2021 Seta, and you'll know its quality puts it in a league all its own.