Barrett & Barrett Wine
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga, Napa Valley
Barrett & Barrett is a handcrafted, small production Napa Valley wine that reflects our two complementary winemaking styles. Bo’s expertise is in single appellation wines that highlight distinct vineyards, while Heidi excels at creating perfectly balanced, layered Cabs with an elegant, artistic style.
WINEGROWING
We hand select small sections of the very best grapes from our Calistoga vineyards, vine by vine. With 20 years of experience growing Cab at this vineyard, we know the most unique and special areas, which have the lowest yields, tiny berries & stressed vines to create the super-selected wine we desire. Our winemaking in the vineyard comes down to our personal selection of each vine and is carried through to impeccable detail in the winemaking.
2017 as a vintage was certainly one to remember. A wild mix of double average rainfall, a cool spring, then crazy heat waves kept us hopping all season into an early harvest. And that was before the massive Tubbs Fire came along in October. We were so fortunate to have completed the harvest by that time. Yields were average to below average, with very small berries and moderate cluster sizes. We kept a close watch on the ripening for optimum pick time, to prevent overripeness and create a more elegant style of wine.
TASTING NOTES
2017 Barrett & Barrett Cabernet Sauvignon (tasted 11/10/20 by Heidi & Bo Barrett)
The 2017 Cab is a deeply hued garnet color, with gorgeous aromas of black cherry, cassis, wild blackberry, black tea, and a complex floral note, layered and enhanced by French Oak nuances. Across the palate, it’s luxurious and elegant, yet powerful, with flavors to match the aromatics. Flavors linger with a long balanced profile that expands as the wine continues to open. While delicious and impressive now, it will also be a wine that can age and bring enjoyment for many years to come.
ACCOLADES
from Antonio Galloni:
94 points - "The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as quite delicate in 2021. Bright red-toned fruit, spice, cedar and pipe tobacco all lend notable brightness. In most vintages, the Barrett & Barrett has been a pretty somber, muscular wine, but the 2017 is decidedly gracious to the point of being understated. It is a very pretty wine, but also quite atypical."
From James Suckling:
93 points - "A powerful, full-bodied red with lots of cloves, nutmeg and a hint of cardamon spice, alongside black plum, blackcurrant and dark chocolate. Fine, slightly chalky tannins and chewy toffee on the finish."
PAST VINTAGES
Vertical Collection 2008-2019
Current Release: 2019
2018 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
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon