"One of my favorite wines from Barrett... The wine is dominated by meatiness, Mediterranean spice and Provencal personality... It is dense ruby/purple, full-bodied, juicy, succulent and an ideal bistro wine to drink with full-flavored food. It is a savory wine and fun." - Robert Parker
"Ripe, fruity character with notes of dried herbs and roasted meat. Full-bodied with rich fruit, yet juicy and easy to drink. Fine, polished tannins and bright acidity with a long, fruity finish. Big and attractive." - James Suckling
THE BOTTLE
Pirate TreasuRed comes in short 750ml glass bottles that resemble rum bottles. Heidi used an old map of Napa Valley for the treasure map label, but on their map, Napa Valley floats like an island. Where X marks the spot is her house in Calistoga. Mermaid Cove is marked with the La Sirena mermaid. There's even more fun of the back label, but it's in "Pirate speak" and begins with, "Avast ye salty bilge rats!" You will undoubtedly love reading it aloud in your best pirate accent. And, when you toast with your friends the appropriate toast is "ARRRRGH!" We know you'll enjoy drinking this wine as much as we did.
WINEMAKER
Since 1988 Heidi Peterson Barrett has had an impressive client list of ultra-premium wineries to her name, over 2 dozen in total. Past winemaking clients include Screaming Eagle (14 years, 1992 and 1997 vintages garnered another set of perfect 100’s from Parker. And a 6-liter bottle of the '92 Screaming Eagle set a world record for the highest price ever paid for a single bottle of wine $500,000 at the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction.)
Other projects include Dalla Valle (8 years), Jones Family (12 years), Grace Family (6 years), Vineyard 29 (6 years), David Arthur, Barbour Vineyards (15 years), Revana (10 years), Showket (12 years), Kenzo Estate (20 years), Paradigm (32 years), and Lamborn (25 years).
VINTAGE
The 2019 vintage was a long, ideal growing season. Bud break began in late March to early April, leading to a Spring that was mild and dry. Flowering proved to be long and gave way to a healthy set of uniform grape clusters. Summer was also quite warm and long, leading to a cooling effect near the end of the season and into Fall. The consistent summer weather encouraged grapes to ripen in mid-September to late October when they were in perfect balance.
APPELLATION: Napa Valley
VARIETAL BLEND: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah
HARVEST DATES: Sept 17, 19, 23, 25, 30, October 2, 11
AGING: 100% French oak barrels, 38% new, 22 months in barrel, variety of coopers
BOTTLING DATE: June 21, 2021
RELEASE DATE: Feb 8, 2024
TA: .58
pH: 3.75
ALCOHOL: 15.1%
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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