United States · California

Scarecrow

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, produced from a 35-acre estate on the Rutherford Bench, Napa Valley, is one of California's most expensive and sought-after cult Cabernets, named for the antique scarecrow figures found on the historic J.J. Cohn estate. Established by Bret Lopez in 2003 using fruit from the Cohn property planted to Cabernet Sauvignon on Rutherford's distinctive gravel and loam soils, Scarecrow quickly achieved 97–100 point scores from Robert Parker, positioning it alongside Harlan, Screaming Eagle, and Bond in California's ultra-premium tier. At auction, 810 lots average $698 per bottle with a ceiling of $3,824—among the top 20 most expensive California Cabernets by secondary market average. The 2009 vintage is the top auction year. Production is small—approximately 1,500–2,000 cases annually—distributed through a mailing list with a waiting list typically several years deep. The Beau Marchais red provides some access to Scarecrow's Rutherford fruit at lower price points. Winemaker Celia Welch has been responsible for the wine since its inception.

Scarecrow's $698 average per bottle at auction places it in California Cabernet's ultra-premium tier alongside Harlan Estate ($600+), Screaming Eagle ($1,000+), and Colgin ($400+)—a market position achieved in under two decades through consistent 97–100 point critical scores.

The estate is located on the J.J. Cohn property in Rutherford, where Cabernet Sauvignon has been farmed since the 1940s; the combination of Rutherford Bench gravel soils, old-vine material, and historical viticultural pedigree is central to Scarecrow's identity and pricing.

Winemaker Celia Welch, who has crafted Scarecrow since the first 2003 vintage, is one of Napa Valley's most accomplished female winemakers; her precision-focused approach—long cold soaks, extended maceration, 100% new French oak—is consistent across all Scarecrow vintages.

The 2009 vintage achieved Parker scores of 99–100 and has traded above $800–1,000 per bottle in recent secondary market transactions, significantly above the $698 portfolio average; the 2007 and 2013 vintages are also landmark auction lots for the estate.

Auction Lots

810

Avg Price / Bottle

$698

Top Vintage

2009

Price Range

$135 – $3.8k

In the Glass

Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon of extraordinary concentration: blackcurrant, black cherry, graphite, and cedar with Rutherford's characteristic dusty, mineral mid-palate—what critics call 'Rutherford dust.' New French oak contributes mocha, vanilla, and chocolate while old-vine concentration ensures the fruit dominates. Tannins are firm but polished. Great vintages evolve over 20–30 years into exceptional complexity of dried fruit, tobacco, truffle, and iron minerality.

Portfolio

Wine	Colour	Avg Price	Lots Sold	Top Vintage
Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$698	405	2009

Scarecrow is based in the California wine region.

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