Vin Perdu Napa Valley 2011

All is not lost when the bread goes stale...The proof is in the pain perdu created by my dear friend and culinary mentor, Jacques Pepin. While working as a breakfast chef at the celebrated Plaza Athenee in Paris in the 1950s, Jacques accidentally dipped his crusty baguette in a tub of melted vanilla ice cream rather than the usual egg batter he was aiming for. Undaunted, or perhaps in a bit of a rush, he went ahead and fried the vanilla bread with butter and sugar...Et voila: a signature dish was born. (Jacques recently reminded me that the secret to perfect pain perdu is to use truly stale bread so it doesn't absorb too much of the batter mixture and lose its shape. The batter should be only a coating.)

We are pleased to offer our most loyal customers an allocation of 2011 Vin Perdu. Once again, Heidi has masterfully blended small lots from some of our finest vineyard blocks on the eastern side of Napa Valley to deliver an incredible array of mind-altering aromas and flavors. The composition of 2011 Vin Perdu is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 11% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc from the Amuse Bouche, La Sirena, Au Sommet and Lamborn estates. Because the percentages of the Vin Perdu components vary year to year, each vintage is truly unique.

The 2011 Vin Perdu label is inspired by the Year of the Snake. An ancient Chinese proverb states that a snake in the house is a good omen because it means the family will not starve. The snake, cunning, keen and intelligent, is willing to sacrifice his possessions (such as they are) in order to pay for his family's food and wine! Snake years are sixth in the cycle, following Dragon years, and recur every twelfth year.

For those of you who wish to embark on a more in-depth study of the Chinese horoscope associated with the Year of the Snake, please download our 12-month zodiac analysis.

For the 2011 vintage of Vin Perdu, we produced a limited quantity of both 5-Liter jerobaums and 750ml bottles (six packs) for your collection and enjoyment. Each jerobaum is endowed with Heidi's signature. As always, the 2011 label is enhanced by our one-of-a-kind flip lenticular artwork, which uses multiples lenses to showcase the moving visual images of this wine-loving snake!

Our "lost wine" will disappear quickly. Please secure your allocation before the snake recoils and the decanter is empty! Vin Perdu is the best value wine that Heidi produces, and we know that the crafty snake of the 2011 Vin Perdu will be a complex and enigmatic addition to your homes.

We will ship the 2011 Vin Perdu in August/September, weather permitting.

Accolades for Vin Perdu Napa Valley 2010

94 POINTS
"The 2010 Vin Perdu is gorgeous. Plums, black currants, grilled herbs, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in this full-bodied, intense wine. A dark, rich, voluptuous red, the 2010 Vin Perdu shows Heidi Barrett at her best. Hints of menthol, tar, licorice and pencil shavings are layered into the powerful, inviting finish. The 2010 is loaded with serious depth and power. In 2010 the blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Petit Sirah, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. "
- Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, December 2012 #204

RobbReport's Holiday Host's Guide Top 100 Wines
"Heidi Barrett's unusual blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot takes the taste buds on the wildest roller-coaster rides, presenting alternating flavors of red currant, plum, berry, grapefruit, curry, and pepper, to name but a few."
- Brett Anderson, "Winter Vintages: Our 100 favorite wines for the season", RobbReport Holiday 2012 Host's Guide

Heidi Barrett on Wine Library TV
See an interview with our winemaker Heidi Barrett discussing her experiences as a winemaker, Vin Perdu and many other wines:
Click here to view interview

View past vintages:
2010 vintage
2009 vintage
2008 vintage
2007 vintage
2006 Vintage
2005 vintage