Scarecrow
Monsieur Ètain Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon M. Étain is a powerful, muscular wine that speaks with booming authority. Blackberry, gravel, chocolate, spice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that saturate the palate. Far from an easygoing 2018, the M. Étain is a brooding Cabernet that needs time in bottle to allow the formidable tannins to soften. It remains one of the most distinctive wines made in Nape Valley. Dollops of Merlot and Malbec from the back of the property round out the blend. There are 2,400 cases of the 2018, a large production within the context of Napa Valley for a wine of this level. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon M. Étain is a powerful, muscular wine that speaks with booming authority. Blackberry, gravel, chocolate, spice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that saturate the palate. Far from an easygoing 2018, the M. Étain is a brooding Cabernet that needs time in bottle to allow the formidable tannins to soften. It remains one of the most distinctive wines made in Nape Valley. Dollops of Merlot and Malbec from the back of the property round out the blend. There are 2,400 cases of the 2018, a large production within the context of Napa Valley for a wine of this level. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
Best 17 I’ve had (or so my somewhat sloshed memory thinks).
Best 17 I’ve had (or so my somewhat sloshed memory thinks).
Nov 1st, 2020
Very plush and open. A hammy burst of ripe blackcurrant fruit. A little lacking in definition but pleasant
Very plush and open. A hammy burst of ripe blackcurrant fruit. A little lacking in definition but pleasant
Dec 9th, 2019Just landed on my porch and figured I had to test. Not sure what to expect from 2017 Napa but this was above my expectations.
Just landed on my porch and figured I had to test. Not sure what to expect from 2017 Napa but this was above my expectations.
Nov 23rd, 2019
This was just spectacular from pop and pour! Gorgeous royal purple in the glass but not an overly dark core. Totally seductive aromatics...spiced potpourri, fresh squeezed blue and black fruits, cinnamon and Mexican vanilla. Elixir like on the palate showing sweet smoke, licorice, graphite, creme de cassis and ripe dark fruits. The flavor profile here reminds me of Bevan, but there is a nimble/lifted body to this that makes it lighter than expected (in a great way). Zero problems enjoying these young!
This was just spectacular from pop and pour! Gorgeous royal purple in the glass but not an overly dark core. Totally seductive aromatics...spiced potpourri, fresh squeezed blue and black fruits, cinnamon and Mexican vanilla. Elixir like on the palate showing sweet smoke, licorice, graphite, creme de cassis and ripe dark fruits. The flavor profile here reminds me of Bevan, but there is a nimble/lifted body to this that makes it lighter than expected (in a great way). Zero problems enjoying these young!
Jul 27th, 2019
This was gorgeous. Silky, rich and full.
This was gorgeous. Silky, rich and full.
Apr 28th, 2019
The 2014 is absolutely gorgeous right now with some air time. Dense black fruit, smoked molasses, perfectly ripe berries, crushed velvet. The plastic cups double as stemware and decanters.
The 2014 is absolutely gorgeous right now with some air time. Dense black fruit, smoked molasses, perfectly ripe berries, crushed velvet. The plastic cups double as stemware and decanters.
Mar 16th, 2019
Not over the top, nor a fruit bomb. Extremely balanced wine with supple fine grained tannins. Not a pop and pour but heading in that direction.
Not over the top, nor a fruit bomb. Extremely balanced wine with supple fine grained tannins. Not a pop and pour but heading in that direction.
May 16th, 2018High quality wine. My first sip of M. Etain
High quality wine. My first sip of M. Etain
Jan 8th, 2018