Napa Valley 2023: A Brilliant Vintage and a First Look at 2024

2023 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Rating: 98+

Dense plum and purple-hued, the absolutely sensational 2023 Scarecrow offers a rich, powerful, inward bouquet of black and blue fruits, smoke, tobacco, and graphite. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon from very old vines in Rutherford and aged 22 months in 70% new French oak, this incredibly powerful, full-bodied, and concentrated Scarecrow has a brilliant mid-palate, a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and velvety tannins. This voluptuous, expansive, incredibly seductive effort offers pleasure even today, yet deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will keep for 30-40 years. Drink 2025-2065.

2023 Scarecrow M. Etain Cabernet Sauvignon

Rating: 97

Darker currants, dark chocolate, graphite, and espresso notes all emerge from the beautifully textured, dense, full-bodied, powerful 2023 M. Etain. Based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot from the J.J. Cohn Vineyard and aged 18 months in 100% French oak (60% new), it has ample mid-palate depth, ripe yet polished and certainly present tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. This absolutely gorgeous wine will keep for 30 years if you’re so inclined. Drink 2025-2055.