Scarecrow’s 2022 M. Étain” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Robert Parker 96 Points; “Scarecrow’s 2022 M. Étain is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% each Merlot and Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Scents of cedar, cherries and dusty earth mark the nose, while there’s a nice tension to this wine’s medium to full-bodied palate, with red berries and even some faint herbal streaks, plus darker berries and hints of earthiness. Supple, silky and easy to drink, with a hint of mocha on the finish, it may be enjoyed now and over the next decade or more..”

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “While I’ve too often referred to this as a second wine, it has its own designated parcel and is a completely separate wine from the Grand Vin, which I think accounts for its singular character. Darker currants, tobacco, roasted herbs, graphite, and spicy, chocolatey notes all define this beauty, and it’s full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, round, velvety mouthfeel and a great finish. It’s a brilliant, opulent, incredibly impressive 2022 that has so much character. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 15-20 years. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% each of Petit Verdot and Merlot, and the balance Malbec, raised 19 months in 50% new barrels.”

Winemaker Notes: “This fully ripe Cabernet shows intense aromas of boysenberry, blueberry jam, black cherries, anise, a hint of basil, cardamom, and black pepper. Bold and structural at entry, the ripe fruit flavors dominate the palate from start to finish, with toasty vanilla French oak notes providing balance and deeper base notes. The tannins are pebble-like in quality, promising age-worthiness without detracting from the bright juicy flavors, and the finish showcases the complexity of this Bordeaux-style blend.”