2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon- USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (5/29/2014)
This is a very big wine, albeit well balanced. Popped and poured while watching the Pacers defeat the Heat in last night’s playoff game. Overall, I liked this wine a great deal, but am in no hurry to drink my remaining 2 bottles. The wine is incredibly rich and full of complexity. It is a touch heavy on the oak. I would have preferred slightly less vanilla. Huge notes of cassis and dark fruits, and a very long finish. Fun to drink. (95 pts.)
Jim, I liked this bottle. I passed on the 09 so got kicked to the back of the line. I haven’t been offered any since, so I assume despite the snark surrounding this producer, demand is still there. The tannin quality and resultant structure on this wine scream Rutherford, and definitely convey the proverbial ‘dust’.
I’d probably buy again, but I’m thinking Greer might be an equivalent replacement at half the price. Speaking of which, all the spring Scarecrow waves are passed and it’s about time for Greer to hit - think I’ll pop both this weekend and commit one way or the other…
The Greer is really nice, I’m sure you’d like it. Despite different winemakers, these two wines show a strong sense of place. The vineyard’s proximity to one another is pretty evident in the wines. Greer has a tiny production so add your name to the list now if you haven’t already. The Rutherford bench, however you define it is relatively small, but an interesting micro climate nonetheless. I’m not sure who else is putting out a high quality cab from this patch of land. Staglin is in the area - I’d like to retry a clean bottle to compare to Scarecrow and Greer. I bought one bottle years ago but sadly, it was corked. The Rutherford maps show lots of vineyards in the area, but I don’t see any SVDs in the marketplace. My guess is sadly, these grapes are probably lost to appellation cuvées.
I really like Rutherford Bench wines. I would sign up but I am trying to shed lists, not add to them. I just passed on Brand, which looks interesting as well.