At a glance

Producer

Scarecrow

Region

Napa Valley, USA

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

USD 700-1200 per bottle (release/secondary market)

Tasting profile

Black currant, blackberry, warm violet, fine cedar, mocha, graphite, subtle sweet spices

Evolution: Moving from primary fruit to increasing tertiary notes: tobacco, leather, forest floor expected with age

At peak: Powerful but polished; peak complexity to emerge 2025-2035 with layers of fruit, earth, savory notes

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, balancing weight and supporting longevity

Tannins

Pronounced but refined and integrating well

Alcohol

Approx. 14.5% ABV, typical for Napa Valley high-end Cab

Aging potential

High – built for 20+ years; has shown strong performance in cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2035

Optimal window

2023 to 2038

Current status

Approaching peak, highly collectible; already expressive but excellent for further cellaring

Current condition

Full-bodied, robust, tannins softening, intense dark fruit, aromatic complexity developing

2015 was a highly regarded Napa vintage, with concentration and balance. Scarecrow is famed for meticulous vine selection, minuscule yields, and precise vinification, resulting in a wine with deep complexity and structure. The pedigree ensures exceptional aging, with top bottles retaining freshness, layered flavor, and supple tannins past two decades under ideal cellaring.

Food pairing

Dry-aged prime rib, duck breast, rack of lamb, truffle risotto, wild mushroom tagliatelle, aged cheddar

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has pronounced but refined tannins that are integrating well, suggesting it can benefit from aeration to enhance its complexity and soften any remaining tannic structure.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Estate vineyard using some sustainable and minimal-intervention practices; focus on vineyard biodiversity, water-efficient drip irrigation, cover crops for soil health. Limited use of chemicals; hand-harvesting & small-scale production reduce footprint compared to industrial wineries. Packaging is super-premium (heavy bottles, metal capsules, wood cases) with higher environmental burden.

Scarecrow is a small, single-estate Napa producer prized for quality over quantity, using several sustainable viticulture techniques but without third-party certification as of 2015. High wine value and care lead to minimal resource waste. However, heavy, luxury packaging and global transport add to carbon load. Sustainability score is moderate: progressive for Napa, but not an industry leader in sustainability certifications or low-carbon approaches. Some improvements have since been made.