2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Overt clove-spice from oak, jam-packed blackcurrant fruit. A slightly burnt, charred character on the finish. It’s undeniably Napa – but the fruit power takes some getting used to. Impressive – but for me, not compelling drinking. (RH)
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Deep in color with a nose of tobacco, licorice, black cherry, spice, plum and sweet cherry, the wine ends with supple textures and soft, ripe, black fruits. 93 Points
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with huge dark fruit, scorched earth, menthol, licorice and smoke. The first impression is quite positive, but then the persistence on the mid-palate unexpectedly drops off quickly, as if there is a hole in the middle of the wine. In this vintage, the difference between the second label M. Etain and Scarecrow is much less evident than in 2010.
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with huge dark fruit, scorched earth, menthol, licorice and smoke. The first impression is quite positive, but then the persistence on the mid-palate unexpectedly drops off quickly, as if there is a hole in the middle of the wine. In this vintage, the difference between the second label M. Etain and Scarecrow is much less evident than in 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Scarecrow's 2010s are gorgeous, and also quite a big step up from the 2009s. For more background on the estate, readers may want to revisit my introductory comments in Issue 198. Tel. (707) 963-3361
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.