2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Scarecrow
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tasting the three most recent vintages of the Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon was not only a privilege, but also an intellectual and hedonistic turn-on. The 2010 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a magnificent wine. Full-bodied and opulent with terrific purity, an intriguing, gravelly, wet stone-like minerality, and a sensational perfume, it has a spectacular finish that lasted over 45 seconds, offering up copious quantities of black currants, black cherries, cedar and vanillin. It is one of the superstars of the vintage. It is accessible now because of the sweetness of the tannins, but make no mistake, there is plenty of structure underlying the luxurious fruit levels. It should drink well for 30+ years. These have been enviable wines since I first started tasting them thanks primarily to Celia Welch, the consulting winemaker at this historic estate in Rutherford. They have added a quasi-second wine called M. Etain, which is brilliantly packaged. Of course, it is what’s in the bottle that really counts. Tel. (707) 963-3361
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.9% alcohol; from vines picked in October "before and after the rain," according to winemaker Celia Welch): Bright ruby. Deep, brooding, fully ripe aromas of cassis, cocoa powder, licorice, peppery herbs and Rutherford dust. Silky, suave and deep; builds inexorably to saturate the entire palate with dark berry, dark chocolate and mocha flavors. Finishes very long and seriously structured, with noble chocolatey tannins calling for patience. This potentially long-lived wine may well merit an even higher score with a decade or so in the bottle.
Vivid aromas and flavors literally jump from the glass in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the hallmarks of this great, historic site come through in the glass. Firm yet polished tannins support a core of expressive dark fruit, but ultimately it is the wine's textural finesse and polish that stand out most. The 2010 is all about delineation, balance and harmony. It is a terrific effort from the entire team at Scarecrow.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its energy, focus and delineation, all qualities it has in spades. An initial burst of dark red fruits is followed by sensations of mint, graphite and licorice. Sweet, perfumed notes are woven throughout in this gorgeous wine. The 2010 is going to be fascinating to follow over the coming years. This is a striking, beautiful wine from from Scarecrow and winemaker Celia Welch.
About the producer
Scarecrow shot to fame with its debut 2003 vintage. The wine, named after the The Wizard of Oz character, is made exclusively from grapes from the J. J. Cohn vineyard in Napa’s Rutherford. Scarecrow is owned by Bret Lopez (J. J. Cohn’s grandson) and is very much a rarity in Napa.