Winemaker Notes
The McGah Family Vineyards Petit Verdot block produced a prodigious and compelling wine in 2015. Dark violet in color followed by an intense set of aromas consisting of dark, heady fruit, cedar, and sandalwood spice. The mid-palate consists of firm but perfectly integrated acidity along with a ripe, rich and highly concentrated Rutherford fruit. A beautiful streak of anise runs right through the middle leading to a long and highlighted finish. Consistent with the nature of this varietal, the tannins are forefront, but a have a measure of finesse and polish allowing this wine to be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now with a long decant or allow it to age for 6-10 years.
About Scarlett Wines
Scarlett Wines is the celebration of one family’s lifelong passion for winemaking. In the heart of Napa Valley, among verdant hillsides and majestic mountain ranges, four generations of wine growers have built a legacy handcrafting ultra premium estate wines that are equal parts heart and soul, art and science. While we take our winegrowing and winemaking very seriously, we never lose sight of our guiding principle – that wine is meant to be delightful, approachable, and above all, enjoyed!
Scarlett Wines is a family operation owned by the McGah family, who are most notably known for co-founding the Oakland Raiders. Representing over four generations of wine growers, the family’s personal touch can be felt from the soil to the glass. The winery previously operated under the name McGah Family Cellars and rebranded in 2015 in honor of its flagship wine, Scarlett, which is named after the founder’s daughter.
The McGah family’s history in Northern California began over a century ago when E.W. McGah first put down roots in the San Francisco bay area. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Oakland Raiders football franchise, a proud legacy for which the family is still known today. E.W.’s stake in the Raiders was passed down to his to his son E.J. “Eddie” McGah in 1983. E.J. has a notable history in the sports world himself. At age 17, he made the cross-country trip from Oakland to Fenway Park and was signed by the Boston Red Sox. He continued his baseball career while serving in World War II and was one of the top five players nominated for the 14th District Naval MVP in 1945. After he was released from service in December 1945, he returned to the Boston Red Sox for two additional seasons, claiming a pennant title in 1946 with the team.
Sherratt Reicher, E.J.’s grandson, carried on the sports tradition and worked as a defensive assistant and scout for the Raiders before leaving in 2002 to form the Hudson Companies, a diversified enterprise that includes Scarlett Wines and McGah Family Vineyards among its portfolio. The McGah family maintained its ownership in the Raiders until 2005 and still takes great pride in being part of a living legacy. Today, Sherratt continues to oversee the family’s winemaking endeavors and infuses a strong sense of pride and tradition into all aspects of Scarlett Wines.
