Scarecrow
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA
After storing this wine away for over a decade, I finally decided to open a bottle.
After storing this wine away for over a decade, I finally decided to open a bottle.
Feb 4th, 2023
I’ve been fortunate to have tried a few vintages of Scarecrow, but have never had the opportunity to sit down and simply enjoy a bottle from start to finish. I acquired this 2012 with that exact intention (and also to share with my father-in-law, who is the reason I have a passion for wine).
A hallmark for Scarecrow (in my opinion) is a weightless gravitas. How Celia can craft a Cabernet that is consistently so elegant and supremely balanced is beyond me. 2012, being an excellent Napa vintage, and entering its 10yr age had me thinking this would be pop and pour…wrong! Lots of youthful exuberance here. More red/black than purple in the glass. Slightly high toned dark-berry fruits, currant, floral notes (violets) and graphite. The entry and mid-palate again have this gorgeous weight…added notes of dark cocoa and espresso, but mostly a balanced core of dark fruits. The finish sports quite a grip (even after two hours), but it sure was fun to still taste the wine almost 30 seconds later! Decant 2hrs if opening now, or hold for another 5-7yrs to enjoy this type of profile.
I’ve been fortunate to have tried a few vintages of Scarecrow, but have never had the opportunity to sit down and simply enjoy a bottle from start to finish. I acquired this 2012 with that exact intention (and also to share with my father-in-law, who is the reason I have a passion for wine).
A hallmark for Scarecrow (in my opinion) is a weightless gravitas. How Celia can craft a Cabernet that is consistently so elegant and supremely balanced is beyond me. 2012, being an excellent Napa vintage, and entering its 10yr age had me thinking this would be pop and pour…wrong! Lots of youthful exuberance here. More red/black than purple in the glass. Slightly high toned dark-berry fruits, currant, floral notes (violets) and graphite. The entry and mid-palate again have this gorgeous weight…added notes of dark cocoa and espresso, but mostly a balanced core of dark fruits. The finish sports quite a grip (even after two hours), but it sure was fun to still taste the wine almost 30 seconds later! Decant 2hrs if opening now, or hold for another 5-7yrs to enjoy this type of profile.
Start the new year right with Scarecrow and Sammie
Start the new year right with Scarecrow and Sammie
Jan 1st, 2020
Intense and fruity. Tangy blackcurrant and a bit jammy but good fruit.
Intense and fruity. Tangy blackcurrant and a bit jammy but good fruit.
Nov 20th, 2019
Everything a cult Cabernet should be. Very high quality yet integrated new oak, ultra-ripe and silky tannin, mouth-coating and voluptuous fruit, layered, and very lengthy. Seamless from attack to finish. The richness evident on front, mid, and back palate. showing some muscles under its fine velvet profile, very gorgeous. Aromatically not the most compelling with its high alcohol and elevated VA, all palate here though. However beneath the noise is some beautiful oak, exotic spices, and floral notes, still very complex just lacking a touch of detail. ‘Murica
Everything a cult Cabernet should be. Very high quality yet integrated new oak, ultra-ripe and silky tannin, mouth-coating and voluptuous fruit, layered, and very lengthy. Seamless from attack to finish. The richness evident on front, mid, and back palate. showing some muscles under its fine velvet profile, very gorgeous. Aromatically not the most compelling with its high alcohol and elevated VA, all palate here though. However beneath the noise is some beautiful oak, exotic spices, and floral notes, still very complex just lacking a touch of detail. ‘Murica
Jul 4th, 2019
Doing it’s silky chocolate cherries thing it does so well. Delicious fleshy fruit, some vanilla and graphite. Depth and finish aren’t on par with other vintages of Scarecrow I’ve had.
Doing it’s silky chocolate cherries thing it does so well. Delicious fleshy fruit, some vanilla and graphite. Depth and finish aren’t on par with other vintages of Scarecrow I’ve had.
May 19th, 2019Just a few bottles from an awesome Open That Bottle Night celebration this past weekend.
One of the awesome bottles @Keith Fisher broke out...this is drinking really well with little air time. It’s dusty, elegant and also gripping. Loads of dark red and black fruit. Dates, mocha and dark chocolate. So good.
Just a few bottles from an awesome Open That Bottle Night celebration this past weekend.
One of the awesome bottles @Keith Fisher broke out...this is drinking really well with little air time. It’s dusty, elegant and also gripping. Loads of dark red and black fruit. Dates, mocha and dark chocolate. So good.