Scarecrow "M. Etain" Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
(Rutherford, California) - [DM 98] [JD 97] [WP 96] [WA 96] [VM 94]

Harvest Notes — Vineyard Manager Domenick Bianco:
The 2023 season at JJ Cohn began with record-breaking winter rainfall that fully recharged soil profiles and ended the estate's multi-year drought. A cooler, wet spring encouraged even budbreak with no significant frost events, and a steady, moderate summer avoided the prolonged heat spells common to modern Napa vintages. Harvest began on October 4 and concluded on October 17, with no weather pressure forcing picking decisions — fruit was brought in at full physiological ripeness, with yields slightly above average. 2023 was a drought-ending, low-stress season marked by patience, precision, and restraint.

Tasting Notes — Winemaker Celia Welch:
A long season of moderate temperatures and ideal ripening conditions manifests itself in this very dark, perfumed, complex Cabernet blend. Aromas of ripe blue and purple fruits are supported by vanilla and spice notes from the new French oak. On the palate, the wine offers a broad, smooth, full-bodied texture, with the tannins presenting as heavy velvet. Although this wine is clearly going to improve over the next 5 to 15 years, its sense of gravitas adds balance to the lifted, perfumed berry notes that dominate the palate expression.

Harvested at night by hand between October 11 and October 17, the fruit was fermented in small batches, kept on skins for approximately 12 days, then pressed and transferred to small French oak barrels (60% new). The wine remained in barrel for about a year, was blended and returned to barrel for an additional seven months prior to bottling in April 2025. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. 2,600 cases produced.

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Decanter:
"Scarecrow's M. Étain label – French for 'Tin Man' – debuted in 2008. "We wanted to create a companion label to Scarecrow utilising the younger blocks, or cuts of Clone 337 that were too abundant for the flagship bottling," explains winemaker Celia Welch. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, all sourced from the J.J. Cohn estate in Rutherford, aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. In 2023, the wine reads as quintessential Rutherford, opening with perfectly ripe boysenberry and cherry before building into classic site signatures of dusty minerality, unsweetened cocoa powder and a hint of bergamot. As Welch notes, there is also a subtle touch of sweet basil—a detail that captures Rutherford's terroir beautifully, that dusty earth component edged with gentle sweetness. The palate unfolds with impressive density and richness, yet retains lift, carried by blue, black and red fruit and generous cocoa-powder tannins through the expressive finish. Utterly delicious and immediately drinkable, yet firmly structured to evolve gracefully. Farming in 2023 was overseen by Domenick Bianco, formerly of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Drinking Window: 2026-2050." -Jonathan Cristaldi (Mar 2026)

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"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." (Dec 2025)

96 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate:
"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2023 M. Etain is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 5% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. It charges out with exuberant notes of blackcurrant pastilles and boysenberry preserves, followed by hints of licorice, Sichuan pepper, sassafras, and tilled soil. The full-bodied palate is dense with vibrant black and blue fruit layers, supported by firm yet velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. Drinking Window: 2027-2044."

96 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Scarecrow's 2023 M. Étain is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% each Malbec and Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, drawn from the same 25-acre Rutherford vineyard as its big brother. The small proportions of blending varieties give it a more floral nose than the straight-Cabernet Scarecrow, with those elements joining bay leaves and ripe cherries on the nose. In the mouth, the wine is medium- to full-bodied, creamy and supple up front, then more tannic and velvety-textured on the lingering, dark chocolate-tinged finish. Drinking Window: 2027-2040." -Joe Czerwinski (May 2026)

94 Points - Vinous:
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon M. Étain is fabulous. Inky red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, pomegranate, menthol and espresso infuse the 2023 with tons of complexity and textural depth. A wine of class and poise, M. Étain has so much to offer. Lifted floral and spice notes extend the long, chocolatey finish. It's a gorgeous wine in every way. (Drink between 2026-2033)" -Antonio Galloni (Nov 2025)