“…very impressed with the way they held up over that time…” – Vinous

A dual Barrett Cab at this price is like showing up Darth Maul style to a knife fight. Two light sabers or two elite winemakers combined? Other winemakers don’t stand a chance. either does your willpower.

This beauty deep from the family library, for all practical purposes, should have been LONG GONE. But a small stash somehow got overlooked, and an inventory count, like a Monopoly Chance card, revealed it to daylight. When we got the call to see if we wanted it at a more than fair price, guess what we said?

Few even know these wines exist. Arguably the most DANGEROUS collaboration project in all of Napa Valley, between Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, and Heidi Barrett of, well, you know… Too bad they make very, VERY little, and therefore very, VERY few insiders scoop it all up in record time.

So here is how this wine came about, per Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “Bo and Heidi Barrett have turned out fabulous Cabernet Sauvignons. Readers may recall the Barretts started their own label when it looked like Château Cos d’Estournel was about to purchase Chateau Montelena a few years ago. That transaction never closed, but it did result in the creation of this impressive new project.”

Considering this gem is only their SECOND VINTAGE, the way that it drinks today is nothing short of remarkable. We can imagine 2009 First Growths feeling inadequate alongside it. Mind the PLUS signs next to those old scores because that upside has definitely turned up a few notches. A dream Cab experience, for the real world.

Life is short, spoil yourself, you deserve it.

95+ Points – Wine Advocate “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is surprisingly powerful. It has closed down quite a bit since I tasted it last year, which is a great sign for the future. Black fruit, cassis, licorice and spice box all jump from the glass in an intense Cabernet full of personality. The 2009 is loaded with tremendous potential, but its best days are still at least a few years away. This full-bodied, rich, enveloping wine is striking today. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.”

95+ Points – Vinous “Bo and Heidi Barrett decided to create their own label in 2008 when it looked like Cos d’Estournel was going to buy Chateau Montelena, which would have left the Barretts without a family winery. These are the first releases from Barrett & Barrett. I followed open bottles of both vintages of the Cabernet Sauvignon over several days and was very impressed with the way they held up over that time. The wines are made in a fairly restrained, silky style within the context of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a step up from the 2008. It boasts gorgeous aromatic nuance, extraordinary silkiness and fabulous overall balance. Layers of silky, refined fruit flow through to the rewarding finish. Drink 2009-2019.”