Scarecrow - Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (1.5L)

***ETCHED BOTTLE***

Vineyard Manager Michael Wolf:

Although the 2016 winter rains came late, they were almost double the volume of the previous year, resulting in robust vine growth through the spring. The vintage will be remembered for several severe heat waves: one in July which lasted for over a week, and then 3 distinct heat events in September. In July, overhead sprinklers were used at the JJ Cohn Estate to cool the vines and avoid damage. Most challenging was the extremely low relative humidity in September (<10%). Being so close to harvest, it was impossible to avoid some fruit dehydration, but with vigilance and care, the vines and fruit came through beautifully. Harvest began on September 16th and was completed on October 3rd. Yields were slightly below normal, given the challenges of the vintage, but the quality of fruit harvested was excellent.

Winemaker Celia Welch writes of the 2016 Scarecrow:

Well before release, the 2016 vintage was quietly acquiring the respect and admiration of winemakers and reviewers alike. This vintage of Scarecrow shows very ripe dark cherry aromas, combined with cinnamon/baking spice and vanilla notes. Just a hint of earth, anise and tobacco also add complexity to the aromas. On the palate, the entry shows very juicy fresh black cherries, blackberry jam, a touch of baking spices (cardamom, clove) and warm earthy/sweet tobacco flavors. The texture is broad and round, with enough grip to stand up well to a hearty meal. As the wine opens, the solid core shows the age-worthiness of
this vintage. The finish is, once again, a reminder of the fresh juicy notes promised by the aromas.

Harvested completely by hand at night, September 16 through October 3, 2016, this
wine is entirely grown on the J.J. Cohn Estate in Rutherford, Napa Valley. The fruit was destemmed, optically sorted, and fermented in small batches. After approximately 24 days on skins, the wine was gently pressed and transferred to French Oak barrels, of which roughly 80% were new. The wine was kept in these barrels for fifteen months, then assessed for quality before the final Scarecrow blend was created in Summer 2017. It was returned to rest in oak for an additional 6 months and was bottled in late July 2018 without fining or filtration. A total of 2,000 cases were produced.

Critical Acclaim

100 points Jeb Dunnuck

The deep ruby-colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon would give the 2015 Château Margaux (that’s what leaped into my head as I tasted this) a run for its money and is an utterly perfect bottle of wine that does everything right. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from very old, dry farmed vines in what was previously known as the J.J. Cohn Vineyard, its deep purple color is followed by a heavenly perfume of blueberries, spring flowers, lead pencil, exotic spices, and graphite. Slightly more focused and poised than the M. Etain release, with full body, ultra-fine tannins, and no hard edges, it’s a wine of incredible elegance paired with remarkable intensity, and it’s rare to find a wine that marries both so effortlessly. As with the vast majority of truly great Cabernet Sauvignons, it’s great today and will be great in 30 years. (01/2019)

100 points Wine Advocate

Scarecrow is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from two acres of old vines planted in 1945 by John Daniel and dry farmed. Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes sashaying out of the glass with tantalizing notions of violets, lavender, Black Forest cake, mulberries, tobacco leaf and fragrant earth with a core of warm cassis, kirsch, Chinese five spice, rose hip tea and cedar chest. The palate is full-bodied and super concentrated yet possesses great energy with vibrant red and black fruits and loads of mineral accents, framed by very ripe, super fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long with the most incredible perfume. Hedonistically, undeniably and deliciously perfect. (LPB, 10/2018)

98 points Vinous

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Scarecrow is another positively riveting wine from this benchmark estate and longtime winemaker Celia Welch. Powerful and explosive on the palate, with tremendous energy, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of graphite, smoke, leather and tobacco builds as this beautifully layered, nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon shows why Scarecrow is one of Napa Valley's very finest vineyard sites. Just bottled a few weeks before this tasting, the 2016 is shaping up to be a real jewel of a wine. Don't miss it! (AG, 12/2018)

95 points Decanter

Gorgeously lifted blue fruit and violet nose leading to an equally sumptuous, plush palate. Everything is super ripe but in balance, with a level of acidity that lifts both flavours and aromas. A beautiful wine. (CT, 10/2021)