2003 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon is named after the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz because the man who originally owned the estate was the late J.J. Cohn, the legendary head of MGM, which is the studio that produced The Wizard of Oz. Located in Rutherford in Napa Valley, Scarecrow, which released its debut vintage in 2003, is quickly becoming one of Napa Valley’s most talked about Cult Cabs. Only 400 cases of the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon are produced each year, no surprise given that the estate includes just 25 acres of vineyards. Located next door to the fabled Inglenook estate, Cohn bought the estate in 1942 and planted grapes in 1945 at the urging of Inglenook’s owner. For decades Cohn’s grapes were bought by some of Napa’s most admired producers, including Inglenook. In 1996 one of Cohn’s grandsons, Bret Lopez, was able to take over 25 acres of the estate. Today Lopez and his wife Mimi DeBlasio run Scarecrow with winemaker Celia Welch.

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.