Wine Profile: The 2011 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Apr 07, 2023

Bottle of 2011 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon-Bottle Barn

Scarecrow is a boutique winery located in Rutherford, a sub-region of Napa Valley in California. The winery is named after a scarecrow that once stood in the vineyard to protect the grapes from birds. The winery was founded in 2003 by Bret Lopez, who inherited the vineyard from his grandfather, J.J. Cohn. This is a collector’s wine for when you buy wine online.

J.J. Cohn was a Hollywood film producer and executive who is best known for his work on the movie "The Wizard of Oz". He purchased the vineyard in 1945 and became an avid wine collector and enthusiast. When he passed away in 1996, the vineyard was passed down to his daughter and then to his grandson Bret Lopez.

Bret Lopez was determined to honor his grandfather's legacy by producing high-quality wines from the vineyard. He enlisted the help of renowned winemaker Celia Welch to produce Scarecrow's first vintage in 2003. Since then, Scarecrow has gained a reputation for producing some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon wines in Napa Valley.

Scarecrow is a small, family-run winery that produces only a few thousand cases of wine each year. The winery's focus is on producing wines that express the unique character of the Rutherford appellation and the vineyard's terroir. Scarecrow's wines are highly regarded for their complexity, depth, and balance, and they are often compared to the top wines of Bordeaux.

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2011 vintage of Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon was a challenging year for winemakers in Napa Valley due to cool weather and late rainfall.

However, despite the difficult growing conditions, the 2011 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon has been highly rated by wine critics and enthusiasts alike. Inside the red wine bottle, you will find complexity and depth, with flavors of dark fruit, black currant, and a hint of spice. The tannins are firm and provide structure to the wine, and it has a long, smooth finish.

The wine is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are carefully selected from the estate vineyards. The winemaking process involves a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including hand-sorting the grapes and fermenting them in small batches. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 20 months before being bottled. This is a great wine available from your favorite wine store California!

The 2011 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon has received high ratings from top wine critics, including a score of 96 points from Wine Advocate and 94 points from Wine Spectator. It is considered a collectible wine and is highly sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors.

What Foods Pair Well with The 2011 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon?

The 2011 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied and complex wine that would pair well with rich, hearty dishes. Here are some food pairing suggestions:

Grilled or roasted red meat: The wine's firm tannins and rich fruit flavors would complement grilled or roasted beef, lamb, or venison. The charred and smoky flavors from grilling would also complement the wine's subtle spice notes.
Braised or stewed dishes: The wine's depth and complexity would also pair well with braised or stewed dishes such as beef short ribs, osso buco, or lamb shanks. The slow-cooking process would infuse the meat with rich flavors that would complement the wine's intense fruit flavors.
Aged cheese: The wine's firm tannins and full-bodied texture would also pair well with aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, or aged Cheddar. The cheese's sharp and nutty flavors would complement the wine's subtle spice notes.
Dark chocolate: The wine's flavors of black fruit and chocolate would also pair well with dark chocolate desserts, such as flourless chocolate cake or chocolate truffles. The wine's firm tannins would help cut through the richness of the chocolate, while the wine's fruit flavors would complement the chocolate's sweetness.