Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 99 points by Wine Advocate's Lisa Perrotti-Brown, the 2015 vintage stands among the most celebrated releases from one of California's most sought-after cult estates, built on fruit harvested from vines planted in 1945.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Producer: Scarecrow Estate (J.J. Cohn Estate)

Production & Heritage

The Scarecrow vineyard traces its origins to legendary MGM producer J.J. Cohn, who planted the estate's original vines in 1945 on St. George rootstock. When the phylloxera epidemic devastated Napa Valley in the late 1980s and early 1990s, most growers who had replanted on the AxR#1 hybrid lost their vineyards—but Cohn's original rootstock survived. These venerable "Old Men" vines continue to yield uncommonly concentrated fruit that forms the backbone of every Scarecrow vintage. The 2015 was harvested entirely by hand during cool nighttime hours between September 9 and 21, then destemmed, optically sorted berry by berry, and fermented in small batches to preserve the site's distinctive Rutherford character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with gorgeous floral notes of red roses and lilacs before giving way to a deep core of black and red cherries, crushed black currants, and baking spices. Beneath those primary layers, hints of iron ore, dusty earth, warm tobacco, and toasty vanilla add complexity.

Taste: On entry, the palate is voluptuous and rounded, with super-ripe red cherry, pomegranate, and blackberry fruit that slinks across the mid-palate with remarkable seamlessness. As it develops, blood orange, mint, anise, cedar, and sage notes emerge, all supported by broad, layered structure and firm, chewy tannins that provide architectural grip without harshness.

Finish: The finish is exceptionally long, with lingering chocolate nuances, crushed currant, and sweet earth that persist well beyond a minute. The tannin structure resolves into a fine-grained texture, leaving a lasting impression of Rutherford dust and dark berry concentration.

How to Drink Scarecrow 2015

This wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at around 64–66°F; decanting for at least an hour allows the aromatics to fully unfurl. Given its stature and complexity, the 2015 is built for contemplative sipping rather than cocktail use, though it pairs magnificently with food—see below.

Best For

• Adding a trophy vintage to a serious Napa Valley cellar collection
• Marking a milestone anniversary, birthday, or retirement with an iconic bottle
• Gifting a collector who appreciates California cult Cabernets
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of top-tier 2015 Rutherford wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Scarecrow 2015 taste like? It delivers a voluptuous, seamless palate of black cherry, crushed currant, pomegranate, and blackberry layered with anise, cedar, sage, and chocolate, all framed by firm yet refined tannins and a remarkably long finish.

How does Scarecrow 2015 compare to Screaming Eagle? Both are elite Napa Valley cult Cabernets produced in tiny quantities, but Scarecrow draws its identity from 1945-planted Rutherford vines on St. George rootstock, lending an earthy, iron-inflected minerality, while Screaming Eagle originates from Oakville and typically shows a tighter, more restrained profile at similar quality levels.

Is Scarecrow 2015 good for cellaring? With 99 points from Wine Advocate, 98+ from Vinous, and 96 from Wine Spectator, the 2015 has the tannic structure and concentration to age gracefully for two decades or more, though it already drinks beautifully with extended decanting.

Where is Scarecrow made? Scarecrow is produced on the historic J.J. Cohn Estate in the Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley, California—a sub-appellation renowned for its distinctive "Rutherford dust" character in Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Scarecrow 2015? Dry-aged prime ribeye highlights the wine's dark fruit density; roasted rack of lamb with herbs echoes its sage and cedar notes; braised short ribs mirror the chocolate undertones on the finish; aged Comté or Gruyère complements the earthy, mineral-driven mid-palate; and dark chocolate truffles with a touch of sea salt amplify the lingering cocoa nuances.

What sizes does Scarecrow 2015 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, with limited quantities historically available in magnum (1.5L) format depending on the vintage.

Is Scarecrow 2015 worth the price? Scarecrow positions squarely in the ultra-premium, collectible tier of Napa Cabernet alongside the valley's most prestigious labels, and the 2015 vintage's near-perfect critical scores reinforce its standing as one of the top releases in the estate's history.

Why Scarecrow 2015?

What separates this wine from the broader field of elite Napa Cabernets is provenance: fruit from vines that have been in the ground since 1945—surviving phylloxera precisely because J.J. Cohn refused to follow the industry's shift to AxR#1 rootstock. That decision, made decades ago, gives Scarecrow a depth of raw material almost no other estate can replicate. The 2015 growing season, widely regarded as one of Napa's finest modern vintages despite drought conditions, concentrated those old vines even further, producing a wine that earned 99 points from Wine Advocate and 98+ from Vinous. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a Rutherford Cabernet of genuine historical weight and exceptional critical standing, the 2015 is among the most compelling bottles the estate has released.