Barrett & Barrett Wine
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga, Napa Valley
Barrett and Barrett, two renowned & distinct wine stylists working together, finally, is really what this wine is all about. The result is a handcrafted, limited edition Napa Valley wine that reflects our two different, yet complementary, winemaking styles. Only 300 cases were produced.
Bo is responsible for "farming for flavor" throughout the growing season. Bo’s experience growing Cabernet in these Calistoga vineyards since 1973 draws upon decades of experience to get the grapes to their maximum potential for each harvest. Whether it’s a very hot vintage or a slow cool one, after 35 years Bo has probably seen it before and knows how to get the grapes ready for the vintage. Once we get into harvest, we pretty much agree on the style we are going for reflecting the weather and growing season.
WINEGROWING
The 2008 growing season for our Calistoga Cabernet felt the impacts of spring frost, followed by bloom period heat waves. Both of these weather events gave us very low yields right from the beginning. Later the summer ripening season also produced typically warm to hot weather. So 2008 was destined from the start to be a showy intense light crop vintage. During aging the wine exhibited the concentration of the vintage, thus we determined it needed extra time in barrels, so it was bottled after the 2010 vintage. We like to say a month in the barrel replaces a year in the bottle, and we didn’t want to wait a few extra years to bring out the first vintage of our new wine.
UPDATED TASTING NOTES
Tasted Feb 2023
Primary aromas of black plum, blackberry, and cassis are joined with subtle notes of cocoa powder, fine leather, gravel, fresh herbs, and a hint of licorice. It has softened and developed beautifully while still remaining extraordinarily youthful after 15 years! Lots of life ahead for this one. The fruit character has evolved since release, but remains ripe, lush, complex, and deep. The balance and integration is remarkable. Vibrant, lively, and soulful – the finish lingers with great elegance. We are extremely proud of our inaugural vintage, and think it is the perfect thesis statement for Barrett & Barrett – the marriage of Heidi & Bo’s 2 distinct styles of winemaking - Bo’s deep knowledge of Calistoga Cabernet growing, and Heidi’s winemaking elegance and finesse. Drink or hold 10+ years
ORIGINAL TASTING NOTES
Tasted 11/27/11
Our inaugural release of Barrett & Barrett is deep ruby in color with aromas of red currants, blackberry, plum, 5-spice and an exotic floral note. The flavors and mouth feel definitely have the "wow" factor. Amazing density, ripeness and finesse, flavors are layered black fruits-berry, cherry, plum with refined textural tannins difficult to achieve. French oak adds nuance without overpowering this very luxurious Napa Valley Estate Cabernet. This wine brings together the best joint efforts of this husband and wife winemaking team and we proudly share it with you.
In the end, the wine shows both of our signatures, as reflected on the label. The wine displays perfect balance and polish through Heidi's winemaking methods, and the distinctive vineyard-driven core that Bo is known for. It is truly a collaboration of our years of experience, and it shows in the glass.
ACCOLADES
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is impeccable from start to finish. It reveals gorgeous, well-delineated aromatics and expressive dark red fruit. Tobacco, spices, leather and licorice are some of the nuances that develop in the glass. This is a gorgeous, beautifully balanced wine made in an accessible, fruit-forward style. 93 points"
- Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
VINTAGES
Vertical Collection 2008-2019
Current vintage: 2019
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon