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The three vintages of OV/SL are essentially culled-out lots that are co-fermented together from the Stags Leap as well as the Oakville property. It’s an intriguing idea, and Futo has certainly pulled it off brilliantly. Far more consumer friendly is the 2014 Futo OV/SL, which is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The lusciousness of this vintage is showcased by this seamless, beautifully pure and superbly crafted wine, which has an inky purple color and a big, sweet kiss of crème de cassis, blackberry, spring flowers and subtle background oak. The wine is opulent, full-bodied and majestic. Drink it now and over the next 25-30 years.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2014 OV SL represents a big step up from the 2013. Powerful and yet finessed, the 2014 turns increasingly precise with time as the vibrancy of the fruit comes into focus. The flavors are dark and textured, but it is the wine's sense of poise that really elevates it into the realm of the sublime. This is another tremendous wine from Futo. For several years, the team has been engaged in elevating the OV SL to a level closer in quality to the Futo and 5500, rather than a second wine, as it was a few years ago. The 2014 is a wine where that jump in quality is evident. The percentage of Stags Leap fruit (just over 40%) is the highest so far.
A barrel sample of the 2014 Proprietary Red OVSL was a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. This is a very sexy, up-front and charming wine, very much in keeping with the vintage character. It is a bit lighter and more evolved than the 2012 and 2013, but it’s still another winner from Futo. Drink it over the next 15 years.
Deep, dense and explosive, the 2014 OV SL is quite expressive today, despite the increased use of larger format barrels which in theory should result in a more backward wine. The flavors are bold, precise and delineated in a powerful, dark wine endowed with considerable mid-palate depth and compelling balance.