Moving to the Grand Vin 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, red wine simply doesn't get any better, and I never cease to be amazed at what winemaker Celia Welch accomplishes with this incredible terroir. Deep ruby/plum-hued, with a kaleidoscope-like array of cr me de cassis, jammy blackberries, spicy oak, graphite, and smoked tobacco, with a kiss of background chocolaty nuances, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a flawlessly layered, concentrated, balanced profile that has to be tasted to be believed. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, as well as purity and balance, it already offers pleasure, yet smart money will give bottles 4-6 years in the cellar, count themselves lucky, and enjoy bottles over the following two decades. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Issue date: December 26, 2023. Drinking window: 2023 - 2043.

The 2021Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. Very closed and broody to start off, it needs a lot of shaking to wake up profound notes of blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, boysenberries, and cinnamon stick leading to an undercurrent of rosebud tea, anise, and incense. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound with firm, grainy tannins and great tension perfectly framing the intense baking spice and mineral-laced black fruit flavors, finishing very long and fantastically complex. "We've been propagating more of our original old vine budwood - our own 'Cohn' clone," said winemaker Celia Welch. "We don't give out any of this budwood. All the Cohn clone vines go into the Scarecrow. 2021 was a beautiful but smaller vintage, with yields down 30-35%

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon towers in this vintage. A Cabernet of majestic proportion and soaring intensity, the 2019 dazzles from start to finish. The pedigree of this Rutherford site comes through loud and clear. Wild cherry, leather, blood orange, tobacco and earthy nuances lend complexity, but it is really the textures and overall balance that are most impressive. This luxurious, opulent Cabernet is a real head-turner and without question one of the highlights of the year. Don't miss it. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: September 2021. Drinking window: 2026 - 2044.

(Rating 98+) The 2021 Scarecrow is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard on the western edge of Rutherford, nestled back against the Mayacamas range. Boasting a fabulous nose of deep, dark, black cherries and earthy-spicy notes accented by a touch of mocha-like oak, this full-bodied wine is ripe, rich and velvety. There's ample density and concentration, but the wine still retains a sense of freshness on the long, elegant finish. Reviewed by Joe Czerwinski. Issue date: January 31, 2024. Drinking window: 2025 - 2040.

This beautifully captures the vivid freshness of '21's fruit -- boysenberry, blackberry and mulberry puree -- while marrying it to a tug of Rutherford earth and an underpinning of iron, draping a beautiful gloss of anise, violet and apple woodaccented toast over everything. Showing great mouthfeel, definition and length, this wine offers it all. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,600 cases made.