2016 Scarecrow, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford

The 2016 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the historic J.J. Cohn Estate on Rutherford’s western benchlands, where founding winemaker Celia Welch prioritizes vineyard expression from its venerable, dry-farmed 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon block. The site’s gravelly loam soils, combined with a pronounced diurnal temperature shift, are fundamental to the wine’s structural development and the region's signature fine, powdery tannins. The 2016 vintage, recognized as near-perfect, delivered a consistent, moderate growing season, ensuring optimal physiological ripeness and robust color development without excess. This translated into a Cabernet Sauvignon defined by vibrant acidity and an exceptionally fine-grained tannin profile, contributing to its balanced mid-palate density and integrated structure. The wine displays a poised architectural framework, reflecting both the inherent quality of the site and the precise viticulture and winemaking.