Scarecrow 2013

The 2013 Scarecrow begins with dark purple fruit and ripe raspberry, then gains savoury and aromatic detail through cocoa, tarragon, cedar, tobacco, caramel, and white tea. The vintage's natural concentration is evident from the first impression, but the wine is not merely massive. Its texture is polished and velvety, with a firm structure that keeps the fruit, oak, and herbal nuances in clear proportion. Dark berry richness fills the centre of the palate while cocoa and tobacco add depth; cedar and white tea provide lift and definition. The finish is long, layered, and controlled, returning to dark fruit and fine savoury spice rather than sweetness. Extended fermentation and maturation in new French oak have built a wine of formidable scale, yet its old-vine Rutherford character remains articulate. A generous decant will reveal more of its aromatic range now, while its balance, tannin, and concentration promise graceful development in a properly kept cellar.

Serve around 16–18°C in a generous Cabernet glass and decant for several hours while young. Ribeye, roast beef, rack of lamb, venison, or slow-braised short ribs will match its depth and polished tannins. Mushrooms, celeriac, black lentils, rosemary, thyme, and gently charred vegetables can echo the wine's cedar, tobacco, cocoa, and herbal notes without overwhelming its fruit. Keep sauces savoury and controlled, avoiding sweet glazes or aggressive chilli. Mature Cheddar, aged Gouda, or Comté will work well after the main course. Pour slowly through the meal: air brings forward raspberry and white-tea detail beneath the darker berry and cocoa core.

Scarecrow comes from the historic J.J. Cohn Estate in Rutherford, a site planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in the mid-twentieth century and preserved through generations. Its old vines and gravelly Napa setting have made it one of California's most closely followed Cabernet expressions. The 2013 underwent a slow fermentation lasting roughly four weeks, followed by 22 months in new French oak. Production was only about 1,800 cases. That combination of old-vine material, painstaking selection, extended fermentation, and patient élevage explains the wine's distinctive marriage of intensity and texture: Rutherford depth delivered with a sense of polish, aromatic complexity, and composed authority.

Store unopened on its side in a cool, dark, temperature-stable cellar. Protect from heat, sunlight, vibration, and sudden temperature changes. Serve around 16–18°C and decant generously while young. Contains sulphites.