Needed a bit of time in the glass to show its true form. Lot of red ripe fruits on the nose and in the mouth. Tannins have subsided, but still present. This vintage has a lot more time to age in the cellar. Truly an enjoyment to match with seafood!
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Last bottle of the case, basically drank 1/year until they were gone. Tremendous evolution and the last was the best. Tannins smooth as silk, plum, black raspberry, light vanilla, lilac, red earth. Still more years ahead. 96+
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Right inline w/ the 2012 vintage. Fruity and light earthiness. I see the critical range of 92-94. It depends on your love of fruit vs earthiness. The fruit loads on the front end and the earth & complexity comes on backend. The thing that holds this back from becoming more is its lack of depth. If you like fruit over deep complexity, you’ll love this 12. 3 hour decant and the truth is it picks up weight in the very end. For this producer vintage, not worth the price of admission.
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With Xmas dinner with my wife's sister and her husband in Ct. I do not know how long the bottle was opened before we got there. The nose was dark red fruit. The palate was blackberry and dark cherry, tobacco, dried leaves and a hint of spice. The finish was moderate to long. Went well with the grilled meats that they served.
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Kleur: Helder lichtrood Aroma / bouquet: Aangenaam, beperkt expressief met een beperkte complexiteit. Smaak / Afdronk: Aangenaam glas. Prettige zuurgraad, in dit stadium een stoere wijn met duidelijk aanwezige, goed gerijpte, tannine. Bovengemiddelde lengte, beperkte complexiteit. Lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: In tegenstelling tot de fles die ik in 2015 proefde, maakt deze Étain - drie flessen op rij - consequent geen grootste indruk. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Smaak / Afdronk: 15 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 88/100
Colour: Bright light red Aroma / bouquet: Pleasant, limited expressiveness with limited complexity. Taste / Aftertaste: Pleasant glass. Pleasant acidity, at this stage a sturdy wine with clearly present, well-aged tannins. Above average length, limited complexity. Long finish. General / potential: Unlike the bottle I tasted in 2015, this Étain - three bottles in a row - consistently does not make the greatest impression. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 10 + Taste / Aftertaste: 15 + General / Potential: 8 = 88/100
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Decanted for one hour. Nose of black cherry, currant, tobacco leaf, red licorice and dried herbs. Ripe black and red fruit, tobacco, red licorice and dried herbs on the palate. Long, layered finish. Full bodied. Served with reverse seared strip steaks and a green peppercorn cream sauce.
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This is absolutely ready to go and not sure it's going to get much better. For those that prefer fruit forward, drink with an extended decant on Day 1, for those looking for something that starts heading towards older Napa, save some for Day 2 as the fruit fades a bit with more air ... either way you can't go wrong!
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A complete Scarecrow vertical: Very fruit driven, vanilla, chocolate, relatively sweet, much more along the lines of a typical Napa blend than a Scarecrow. Yet still very tasty.
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Everything you come to expect from Etain. This bottle is in a really good place right now, but drink up as I don’t know if it will get any better. Took a 60 min decant to get it to open up but the final glass on day two was actually best.
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stunning and winner in a blind tasting with Foley Claret, Araujo Altagracia, Hertlendy & Revana. rich, balanced, smooth tannins. dark fruit, cassis. decanted and tasted a little over 2 hrs after opening. kept getting better in the glass
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This wine followed an 09 OVID, so it was a bit of a tough act to follow. This wine is still very young. I would wait a few years. It was incredibly well made, but the fruit was a little reticent to show itself. Still, paired incredibly well with bone-in slow-smoked prime rib, smoked twice baked potatoes, and smoked mushrooms, Brussel sprouts and okra. An over the top night that started with a pound of Russian caviar, and assorted cheeses, as well as Vodka shots. I may never top the food and view from my friend Ron's NYC apartment overlooking the World Trade Center. I really have no idea how I got back to my mid-town hotel, but I do recall the hour was very, very late. Thanks Ron for an epic night.
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Heady nose bursting with fruit. A bit more restrained on the palate, but there is no mistaking this for anything other than Napa cab. Big wine with some good complexity. A very slight bitter tannin note that makes me think this particular bottle could have used a slightly longer decant or a few more years of patience.
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While the wine was still amazing, I was a little surprised that it was more muted compared to a bottle about a year ago. I think this wine is at or slightly near it's peak and I would enjoy this now with some special friends that enjoy great wine. Still a great "value" for Celia Welch wines.
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PNP- Shared amongst friends over food and conversation. Dark ruby red in the glass. Plush red fruits with soft round tannins. A little on the jammy side for being 9 years of age. Might have become a little flabby with bottle age.
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Not the monster it used to be. This is now a smooth, highly fruit forward cab. A good wine, but we did a blind side by side with a WA Gramercy Reserve Cab, and the WA was clearly favored by everyone (and much less expensive).
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PNP, best after a few hours. Black cherry and plum. Cocoa, vanilla, graphite. Long finish of dark chocolate. Nice balance of powerful dark fruit and Rutherford dust. Open for business, a great modern Napa cab.
6 hour slow ox and drank over 3 hours. First glass was very good, by the last glass bordering on exceptional. Leads me to believe that should have decanted vs slow ox. Long finish, great tannic structure. Still not at peak. Hold.
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blackberries, dark chocolate, earth, toasted oak, mocha, licorice, baking spice, currant and plum.
Kind of coiled on the palate and muted on the aromatics a bit. Gave it about 4 hours to show up and it started to at a slow rate. The stuffing is there but it seems like this is refusing to wake up over the years. Don't have a lot left to test, hoping it comes around someday to be something great.
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I feel that the wine has slightly declined from recent memory of this wine. Nonetheless the wine is a great modern Napa Cab. Drinking close to its best if not slightly past a fruit peak. This wine seems like it is entering a strange period of evolution.
Quite dark still with a purple hue. Like prior notes this is a fruit forward modern Napa Cabernet. In mouth it is rich with fully ripeed blackberry fruit, cassis, some cedar wood. The mid pallete shows more blueberry fruit than blackberry fruit with an acidity that seems built to age.
The finish is blueberry, licorice and dark chocolate which lingers for over 30 seconds. This wine like other recent tastings represents value as it drinks way above its weight. I would drink now or wait for 5-10 years as this wine is on that period of maturation which can go either way.
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Decanted for 30 minutes. Nose of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, mocha, spice and crushed rock. Black fruit, mocha, crushed rock, spice and fine tannins on the palate. Long, layered finish. Full bodied. Served with steak Diane.
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The purity and depth of the fruit is amazing but the 30-45 second finish is what I always remember. I've been waiting for my Scarecrows to come of age but the M Etains never disappoint.
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One of my favorites bar none - Lucious dark fruit up front and still masculine. Easy drinking. Gentle tannins, moderate acidity. Somehow still manages to be approachable without being a pushover
Blackberry, black cherry, black licorice, seem to be the fruit notes here in order from greatest to least. But, I'd never guess that this one was 8 years post-vintage as it really had a nice sweet toasted oak and vanilla character on the nose, entry, and finish. I was drinking this with some pepper jack cheese and it's amazing how much pepper and spice seemed to come out of this wine. After eating some brie, it was much more subdued. A very rounded, full bodied wine and didn't even take a lot of coaxing to get it going so I think these are probably close to being right in the wheelhouse for a pop and pour. With proper cellaring, this one still has 10 years or so left in it.
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True to typical form, the 2012 M’Etain offers up its familiar plum, black cherry, and dusty spice profile in a way that hints at pleasant sophistication indicative of the producer, as well as an agreeable posture illustrative of the vintage. With air, the tension and grip hold up markedly well, making for perceived energy on the palate where the plum flavor needs that extra push to the back end so it doesn’t linger too long and become too “plummy-soft” on the mid. The continuous push of flavors is what elevates this from being just another 2012 mid-level Cabernet. Finishes with a dry dirt minerality (the fabled Rutherford dust that folks often chinwag about) that juxtaposes appropriately with the core fruit.
Casual Dinner w/Friends (R&R's): No formal note. Courtesy of our hosts, this had been opened and allowed to breathe in bottle before our arrival. Deep crimson color. Vanilla, red plum, dust, black raspberry and spice notes. Full-bodied. Plum, chocolate, blue fruit and currant flavors. Silky texture. Long finish. 94-95 pts.
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I still think this bottle has potential as it did finally open up at the 3-4 hour mark. The tannis finally settled down and let the fruit shine through. Keeping my drinking window the same.
First sip following a short 30 minute decanting revealed asphalt on the nose, with a spice driven palette and balanced fruit and tannin. Loads of acidity telling me this is built to age. We let sit for another hour with occasional swirling in the decanter and then glass for another 5-15 minutes.
Color is total black ink with slight purple hue. Make no mistake this is a fruit forward modern Napa Cabernet. In fact I challenge someone to distinguish this from the 12' Scarecrow in the color and aroma catagory. Maybe on the nose it is more closed but just slightly.
On the palette it is rich and ripe blackberry fruit, in fact ....cassis, with some wood presence, definitely spiced with a vanilla coating making this simply heaven. The mid palette is more alive with blueberry fruit charging forward and then revealing some licorice and dark chocolate sweetness on the finish. Long and lingering on the finish for over 1 minute.
This wine represents such value as it drinks way up there with the best of Napa. Think we paid $160 or so but worth more.
Once it opened in the decanter it showed polished red fruit (mostly raspberry, with some cassis) and a long finish of crushed rocks and loam. After a couple of hours the comcentration faded somewhat. Reminded me a little of Harlan’s The Maiden. 94-95 best only with a very short decant.
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Wow. Christmas wine that does not disappoint. Complex enough that people thought they were drinking several wines. One guest actually asked if I had changed to a new wine. Balanced and long finish.
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Had at steakhouse for anniversary dinner. Very short decant, in fact, the first glass went from bottle to decanter to glass immediately. Delicious from the first sip (my wife said from the first whiff) and improved over the course of the meal. Have 2 more of this vintage in the cellar and about a dozen of other scattered vintages, but have not had the pleasure of the flagship wine. Hard to imagine it is 2-3 times better though, but curiosity will force me to purchase one!
I've been purchasing 1 M Etain and 1 Scarecrow since the 2012 vintage but this is the first bottle I have tried. My wife and I enjoyed it at a nice steakhouse and this wine was pretty amazing! It is perfectly balanced between opulence and refinement with a nice, long finish. Can't wait to try the Scarecrow in a few years! Just needed a quick splash decant and it was ready to go in 15 minutes.
Drinking beautifully with a quick decant. Drank over a 4/5 hour window. Wish I would have saved some for the next day to note changes. Drink now and save some for the long haul.
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Crashed a Christmas party tonight, however when the host saw me he put a wine glass in my hand. Okay by me! First wine that I had the honors of tasting an hour after bottle decanting. SOMEONE has to make sure it's not corked!! :) This is a hedonistic blackberry filled wine. Has a hint of mint, and dark chocolate in the middle and finish. Still very tannic however the tannins are relatively round on the finish and did not seem to make the wine appear closed off or unapproachable. This wine has max structure, tons of character and density. Will age for a long time. One of the tops for me for tonight.
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Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for 1.5 hours. Blackberry, black cherry, currant, mocha, licorice and spice. Very long, soft finish. Full bodied. Served with grilled filet mignon and a black truffle & blue cheese butter.
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Small Rhone Tasting w/Aussie Ringer (R&D's): Courtesy of Rich & Rose, popped and poured. Deep inky opaque color, this is unabashedly Napa. Loads of black currants, cassis, blue fruit, vanilla and barrel spice with hints of chocolate underneath. Full-bodied and tannic at this youthful stage, but the tannins are very fine and well-knit, supporting an abundance of lush black fruit- cassis and plum- along with licorice, vanilla, chocolate and blue fruit. Long finish. Nicely balanced as well. Should round out very nicely with a few more years in the cellar- plenty of upside potential.
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We pop and poured this but were also able to enjoy it out of the bottle over two hours. My wife’s first words were “wow, this smells incredible.” Jackpot! Sweet cardamom, black cherry, cedar & truffled blackberries on the nose. Opened beautifully in the glass revealing some clove, huckleberry, cherry-vanilla tobacco on the palate. The tannic structure and acidity here were in perfect harmony. This may get just a touch better, but this is young Napa Cab in a killer drinking window.
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Having arrived home after 12 days eating and drinking our way through France, I longed for a tasty Napa Cabernet. I enjoy the French wines, but after tasting dozens of Right Bank (mostly Saint Emilion, some Pomerol) wines, I realize that my heart belongs in Northern California. Perhaps when I visit again and explore Left Bank, I may be moved to cheat a bit more.
Not gonna lie, while I was expecting a powerhouse effort from thie M'Etain, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. After about 90 minutes of air in the new Zalto decanter (I broke my other one- long story), I dove in.
Decent enough nose of dark berry, some asphalt, spice?, followed by a nice mid of Rutherford dust element, but the finish was a bit lacking. I was expected a bit more bite on the tannins but this seemed to have little power on this night.
Not that this isnt a nice wine, but there was an imbalance between expectations and reality.
I will hold my last bottle form this vintage for a couple years, but not thinking this will improve markedly.
Did not take proper notes as we opened during a Business dinner. Not in a great place at the moment seemed very closed and never really opened. A lot of heat with a little black fruit. Won’t open another bottle for a least a year.
Drank this side by side with a 2003 Bond Matriarch. Given the age on the Bond, not really a fair fight. However the Scarecrow showed very well. Deep long legs and a nose full of fruit. Still a bit tannic on the first taste, but then rounded out with nice balance. Very drinkable now, but still has lots of room to improve with more time in the bottle. I'll hold my next bottle for at least 4-5 more years.
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Gave this 2 hours of slow ox. Drank within an hour.
Also had 2012 Pott Western and a Jack Quinn open.
This was the wine that disappeared quickest and pretty well split with the Pott on WOTN. This was better with the steaks to me; more body, and benefitted from the food. The Pott was better later, in isolation.
Continues to be a great wine in line with prior notes. Drinking well.
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Time, Time, oh my goodness does this need more time! Okay now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, moving on . . . . .
Decanted for 5 ½ hours prior to dinner then had to send it through a Vinturi to infuse some more air into the mix. So, if you’re drinking this wine now, double decant it!!
Color: Dark, Opaque Red
Nose: Alcohol! Then very sweet, ripe cherries like for a pie filling, followed by heat. So, the whole cherry thing is going on and Jade seems to get a green leaf note in the background. This wine is really not ready to come out of the bottle just yet.
Taste: We tasted this with just the 5 ½ hour of decanting and then tasted it again with the Vinturi, yea the Vinturi made the difference! Dark sweet fruit right away with green leaf leaning to an almost earthy quality. This is an extremely concentrated and complex wine with soft, silky tannins that are almost creamy in nature. Tight!!
So, we’ll finish like this: this wine needs a lot more bottle time. This will let the wine grow up to be the big, bold, strong cabernet that it is supposed to be. I think we are going to follow everybody else’s opinion and wait another 5 years minimum before we try this bad boy again. Even though this was a great wine for Jade’s birthday, it was just a little too young to open just yet. I agree - Jade.
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Decanted 2 hours. Lovely wine. Tannins are still drilling down, but the elegance is clearly showing, reminded me somewhat of Dr. Crane from B Cellars. Agree with prior notes, wait 5 years.
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Him vs. Her - a blind Winmaker tasting (Landmarc @ the Time Warner Center): Tasted blind, popped and poured.. What happened here? I really enjoyed my previous bottle of the 2012....But this was hot on the taste, and an over extracted fruit bomb. Blind, it did very poorly with my 9 person wine group. We were shocked when we pulled the tape off the bottle. It might be ok to drink it alone, but with food, it was harsh.
No formal notes. Three hour double decant. This was hitting on all cylinders tonight. I really, really love how Scarecrow has such great balance with their wines. They manage to put depth and power together with nice acidity, excellent structure and the potential for longevity. This was open for business tonight, with the trademark silky mouthfeel and really nice fine tannin integration. It will satisfy those who like high octane cabs, as it is no slouch, but also likely be enjoyed by those who want a wine that won't turn your face red and pairs well with food. Drank alongside a 2014 Carter Three Kings and this was the better wine. Long life ahead, but drinking well now for those who like more fruit.
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Good wine, just getting into a nice drinking window now. It does have a sensation of cherry, red fruits, very long, a little sensation of sweetness. Evolved well after 3 hours - would decant. It didn't not come across as having a lot of tannin and there are just some hints of developing earthier flavors - I think this will drink best within the next 5 years.
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This really is wow wine. I've had scarecrow before and it's fantastic. This is like bond to harlan. I opened it up and had the first glass after an hour decant and had the last glass at about hour three. It continued to improve with more time, which I recommend. It was really beautiful with dark sweet fruit, toasted oak, brooding dark berries. Tannins were forward but velvety and well hidden. structure is massive and layered. For california cab fans this is the wine. It's really open and accessible right now at 4 years old and I imagine a wine of this pedigree and with my experiences it will shut down soon and want to be revisited in about 3-5 more years.
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Wow was this good. Decanted a couple of hours. The nose just burst out the bottle while pouring into the decanter. The aroma filled the room in seconds. Deep dark purple in color. Very well integrated event at this point. Maybe could be a little more depth on this but damn was it good.
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2012 Rutherford comparison (My House): First note was the color. The Pott and the Greer looked virtually identical, but this wine, while being darker purple, had a more vibrant color.
Nose on this was best out of the chute, and developed even further over the hour it was in the glass prior to initial taste. Ran the gamut from dark purple fruit to slate to dusty tones. Palate absolutely has that "wow" factor. Damn, this is tasty. Powerful dark purple fruit and graphite. Finish is epic - long, and explosive. Tannins already very well integrated.
This could improve with time, but it is awfully good right now.
This was WOTN for all of us, and it disappeared quickly.
Dinner with 6 wine friends, where we drank (in order): 2010 Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvée , 2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Monsieur Ètain (M. Etain), 2012 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, and the 2011 Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée. All the wines were opened at the restaurant, with the first one being open for about 15 minutes before pouring. We all had two glasses at a time, and the next wine was always poured into the glass were it could breathe and open a bit more than just staying in the open bottle.
The M. Etain came in third, its a great wine, but what hurt it was a "soft" sensation in drinking it. It seemed to lack the tannin and structure that would make it a long term hold. We liked it, and felt it was just a hair behind our 2nd place choice.
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Vinopia sortimentsprovning (AG, stockholm): Licorice, sloeberries, warm ripe fruit (cassis, plums, blackberries), smooth texture but not without structure. Expensive style, you instantly feel this is a luxury item, well made and drinking well now. Big and forward, this still has a very fine point of balance, I am sure cellaring this for ten-twenty years would be worthwhile if you have the money and the patience. recommended
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Opened for slow ox in the bottle for 2 hours. Decanted for another two. This is a powerhouse wine. Gets your attention quickly on the nose. Ripe fruits just burst from the glass. Rolling palate of medium-plus weight with dark purple fruits and gravel. Big finish with a solid dose of Rutherford Dust.
Had next to a 2012 Myriad Dr. Crane. This was the more "attention getting" wine at first. But it also had a little more time to breathe. The Myriad was more layered and nuanced, and came into its own later in the evening. Both were easy 95 pointers and have room to grow.
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Outstanding wine, althougth young very enjoyable. Ton of red fruit on the nose, hint of mint, licorice, vanilla, and red cassis. The red fruit explodes on the plate followed by an silky smooth finish. I can see this wine evolving into a very elegant wine within 3 to 5 years, but very tasty at this young stage. This was my first M. Etain so I couldn't resist the opportunity to try it before the next offering. Overall so far I find 2012 a very elegant vintage, I can't wait to try the 2013 and 2014.
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Slow oxed for 4-5 hours before dinner of grilled lamb chops. Saved this for friends who I knew would love this wine. Very dark color...not sure I got much nose. Wine is very smooth and creamy and fruity and rich and was much preferred to Bevan '11 Curmudgeon (which is 655 cab franc), but they are very different animals. I liked this and could appreciate its strengths, but it didn't move me. It didn't really have any character or personality that got my attention. Not to worry since the others quite happily dispatched it.
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Outstanding young Napa Cab! Really blew away all the other wines we had that night. Had the tell-tale Scarecrow balance, but with a more youthful ripeness that didn't hide! The wine got better with each continued sip for hours, staying on point with a 45 second finish all night.
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Guys Dinner (Wildfire Chicago): Awesome nose. Inky cassis, blueberry pie. So lovely and royal. Plump delicate palate but round and opulent. Some smokey elements too. Very fun and delightful to try against the 2007 Scarecrow.
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Wow! Quite a fruit bomb now, but a lot of other stuff going on as well. Goes right up to the line, but never crosses - ripe, but not overripe, bright fruit that doesn't reach stewed,etc. Very young now (I should have decanted), but a really nice effort. Can't wait to see what the Scarecrow is like for 2012!
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Had side by side with a 2002 Staglin 20th Anniversary Cabernet from Rutherford. The Staglin was the clear winner for me, although others largely picked the M Etain to drink with dinner. I think it was just a bit early and think I should have decanted for longer than 2 hours. All that said, this is a really good wine with a bright future. If I had to rate on this experience, would say 93+ and will be surprised if this isn't a 95+ point wine for me in the future.
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I love this producer. So complex and interesting across several vintages. Rich and complex on the nose. Cedar, blackberry, and violet. Rich mouth feel. Cassis and oak. Nice long finish. Great now but. Many good years ahead of it.
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all i can say is if you have some you should wait(if you can) but we had to drink one and everyone said it was "THE BEST CABERNET THEY EVER HAD "jammy ,grapey,and can last for a very long time.drank it over 2 hrs and it kept getting better and better.decanted for 1 1/2 hrs.just amazing.my friend owns a restaurant and he agreed with the opinion.next time at this point ,i will decant for a least 3 hrs.would wait to see how this year evolves .i agree with the time to wait with the other review maybe longer if you can hold out.
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Wow, by far the best M.Etain yet. Popped 2 early Thanksgiving morning and gave it all day in the cellar in covered decanter. Excellence! This is for sure drinkable now, but that just isn't fair for the wine. Give it 2-3 years at least and it will excel. Glad to have 30 left in the cellar still.
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Liquid velvet! Decanted for 40 minutes and this thing was just fantastic! Amazed that this is ready to drink now. Can't wait to see how it evolves over the next 5-7 years.
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2/14/2024 - Bcw1989 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Needed a bit of time in the glass to show its true form. Lot of red ripe fruits on the nose and in the mouth. Tannins have subsided, but still present. This vintage has a lot more time to age in the cellar. Truly an enjoyment to match with seafood!
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1/20/2024 - A&C Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smooth. Silky. Lovely. Still not quite at its prime, but getting there.
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1/5/2024 - rylanreynolds wrote: 96 Points
Last bottle of the case, basically drank 1/year until they were gone. Tremendous evolution and the last was the best. Tannins smooth as silk, plum, black raspberry, light vanilla, lilac, red earth. Still more years ahead. 96+
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11/2/2023 - Somm David T wrote: 92 Points
Right inline w/ the 2012 vintage. Fruity and light earthiness. I see the critical range of 92-94. It depends on your love of fruit vs earthiness. The fruit loads on the front end and the earth & complexity comes on backend. The thing that holds this back from becoming more is its lack of depth. If you like fruit over deep complexity, you’ll love this 12. 3 hour decant and the truth is it picks up weight in the very end. For this producer vintage, not worth the price of admission.
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10/10/2023 - johnandlindsay wrote:
Hey, it’s our 8th anniversary! We both liked this wine and I really love Lindsay. Junior
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12/25/2022 - markcic Likes this wine: 93 Points
With Xmas dinner with my wife's sister and her husband in Ct. I do not know how long the bottle was opened before we got there. The nose was dark red fruit. The palate was blackberry and dark cherry, tobacco, dried leaves and a hint of spice. The finish was moderate to long. Went well with the grilled meats that they served.
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10/8/2022 - WildeMeeuw wrote: 88 Points
Kleur: Helder lichtrood Aroma / bouquet: Aangenaam, beperkt expressief met een beperkte complexiteit. Smaak / Afdronk: Aangenaam glas. Prettige zuurgraad, in dit stadium een stoere wijn met duidelijk aanwezige, goed gerijpte, tannine. Bovengemiddelde lengte, beperkte complexiteit. Lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: In tegenstelling tot de fles die ik in 2015 proefde, maakt deze Étain - drie flessen op rij - consequent geen grootste indruk. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 10 + Smaak / Afdronk: 15 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 88/100
Colour: Bright light red Aroma / bouquet: Pleasant, limited expressiveness with limited complexity. Taste / Aftertaste: Pleasant glass. Pleasant acidity, at this stage a sturdy wine with clearly present, well-aged tannins. Above average length, limited complexity. Long finish. General / potential: Unlike the bottle I tasted in 2015, this Étain - three bottles in a row - consistently does not make the greatest impression. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 10 + Taste / Aftertaste: 15 + General / Potential: 8 = 88/100
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8/6/2022 - hoservin wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for one hour. Nose of black cherry, currant, tobacco leaf, red licorice and dried herbs. Ripe black and red fruit, tobacco, red licorice and dried herbs on the palate. Long, layered finish. Full bodied. Served with reverse seared strip steaks and a green peppercorn cream sauce.
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8/1/2022 - dpolzien Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is absolutely ready to go and not sure it's going to get much better. For those that prefer fruit forward, drink with an extended decant on Day 1, for those looking for something that starts heading towards older Napa, save some for Day 2 as the fruit fades a bit with more air ... either way you can't go wrong!
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5/12/2022 - G_H wrote: 92 Points
A complete Scarecrow vertical: Very fruit driven, vanilla, chocolate, relatively sweet, much more along the lines of a typical Napa blend than a Scarecrow. Yet still very tasty.
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5/2/2022 - UofM Likes this wine: 93 Points
Everything you come to expect from Etain. This bottle is in a really good place right now, but drink up as I don’t know if it will get any better. Took a 60 min decant to get it to open up but the final glass on day two was actually best.
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4/15/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 92 Points
PNP-
Medium Ruby. Medium plus body. Core of sweet cherry with tannins. Notes of coffee, coco and vanilla with extended ox.
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3/18/2022 - Ken2020 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent wine after being decanted for 3 hours.
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2/9/2022 - Grubert wrote: 92 Points
Not impressed and especially for this price point.
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2/3/2022 - greg@newsomehh.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wish we had decanted for more than 1.5 hours
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11/30/2021 - madmagnum Likes this wine: 96 Points
stunning and winner in a blind tasting with Foley Claret, Araujo Altagracia, Hertlendy & Revana. rich, balanced, smooth tannins. dark fruit, cassis. decanted and tasted a little over 2 hrs after opening. kept getting better in the glass
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9/29/2021 - A&C Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine followed an 09 OVID, so it was a bit of a tough act to follow. This wine is still very young. I would wait a few years. It was incredibly well made, but the fruit was a little reticent to show itself. Still, paired incredibly well with bone-in slow-smoked prime rib, smoked twice baked potatoes, and smoked mushrooms, Brussel sprouts and okra. An over the top night that started with a pound of Russian caviar, and assorted cheeses, as well as Vodka shots. I may never top the food and view from my friend Ron's NYC apartment overlooking the World Trade Center. I really have no idea how I got back to my mid-town hotel, but I do recall the hour was very, very late. Thanks Ron for an epic night.
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9/18/2021 - EM_MB Likes this wine: 94 Points
Identical note to Feb bottle. Wonderful wine, wish I had more.
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9/6/2021 - mckillop Likes this wine: 93 Points
Peak drinking, everything perfectly integrated but the fruit is still tasting young and bright.
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8/30/2021 - Matt T wrote: 95 Points
Heady nose bursting with fruit. A bit more restrained on the palate, but there is no mistaking this for anything other than Napa cab. Big wine with some good complexity. A very slight bitter tannin note that makes me think this particular bottle could have used a slightly longer decant or a few more years of patience.
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8/8/2021 - hhyder wrote: 93 Points
While the wine was still amazing, I was a little surprised that it was more muted compared to a bottle about a year ago. I think this wine is at or slightly near it's peak and I would enjoy this now with some special friends that enjoy great wine. Still a great "value" for Celia Welch wines.
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7/22/2021 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 93 Points
Family trip to Jackson Hole.
PNP- Shared amongst friends over food and conversation. Dark ruby red in the glass. Plush red fruits with soft round tannins. A little on the jammy side for being 9 years of age. Might have become a little flabby with bottle age.
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5/4/2021 - jhieb Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not the monster it used to be. This is now a smooth, highly fruit forward cab. A good wine, but we did a blind side by side with a WA Gramercy Reserve Cab, and the WA was clearly favored by everyone (and much less expensive).
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4/29/2021 - Maphill01 Likes this wine:
PNP, best after a few hours. Black cherry and plum. Cocoa, vanilla, graphite. Long finish of dark chocolate. Nice balance of powerful dark fruit and Rutherford dust. Open for business, a great modern Napa cab.
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2/15/2021 - EM_MB Likes this wine: 94 Points
6 hour slow ox and drank over 3 hours. First glass was very good, by the last glass bordering on exceptional. Leads me to believe that should have decanted vs slow ox. Long finish, great tannic structure. Still not at peak. Hold.
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1/27/2021 - pkouchu wrote: 94 Points
blackberries, dark chocolate, earth, toasted oak, mocha, licorice, baking spice, currant and plum.
Kind of coiled on the palate and muted on the aromatics a bit. Gave it about 4 hours to show up and it started to at a slow rate. The stuffing is there but it seems like this is refusing to wake up over the years. Don't have a lot left to test, hoping it comes around someday to be something great.
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1/23/2021 - tomoem Likes this wine: 93 Points
I feel that the wine has slightly declined from recent memory of this wine. Nonetheless the wine is a great modern Napa Cab. Drinking close to its best if not slightly past a fruit peak. This wine seems like it is entering a strange period of evolution.
Quite dark still with a purple hue. Like prior notes this is a fruit forward modern Napa Cabernet. In mouth it is rich with fully ripeed blackberry fruit, cassis, some cedar wood. The mid pallete shows more blueberry fruit than blackberry fruit with an acidity that seems built to age.
The finish is blueberry, licorice and dark chocolate which lingers for over 30 seconds. This wine like other recent tastings represents value as it drinks way above its weight. I would drink now or wait for 5-10 years as this wine is on that period of maturation which can go either way.
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1/16/2021 - hoservin wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes. Nose of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, mocha, spice and crushed rock. Black fruit, mocha, crushed rock, spice and fine tannins on the palate. Long, layered finish. Full bodied. Served with steak Diane.
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12/31/2020 - cab blends wrote: 94 Points
Pnp. Not blind.
Muted nose.
Medium body fruity yet restrained. Vanilla be classic Napa fruit. Very drinkable and not in your face.
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12/6/2020 - hhyder Likes this wine: 96 Points
The purity and depth of the fruit is amazing but the 30-45 second finish is what I always remember. I've been waiting for my Scarecrows to come of age but the M Etains never disappoint.
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11/21/2020 - bmartz1 wrote: 95 Points
One of my favorites bar none - Lucious dark fruit up front and still masculine. Easy drinking. Gentle tannins, moderate acidity. Somehow still manages to be approachable without being a pushover
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10/23/2020 - mygrogro wrote: 96 Points
Medium -long cherry plum finish
Vanilla oak calm tannins
Beautiful
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10/3/2020 - mflesh wrote:
Blackberry, black cherry, black licorice, seem to be the fruit notes here in order from greatest to least. But, I'd never guess that this one was 8 years post-vintage as it really had a nice sweet toasted oak and vanilla character on the nose, entry, and finish. I was drinking this with some pepper jack cheese and it's amazing how much pepper and spice seemed to come out of this wine. After eating some brie, it was much more subdued. A very rounded, full bodied wine and didn't even take a lot of coaxing to get it going so I think these are probably close to being right in the wheelhouse for a pop and pour. With proper cellaring, this one still has 10 years or so left in it.
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10/1/2020 - csimm wrote: 94 Points
True to typical form, the 2012 M’Etain offers up its familiar plum, black cherry, and dusty spice profile in a way that hints at pleasant sophistication indicative of the producer, as well as an agreeable posture illustrative of the vintage. With air, the tension and grip hold up markedly well, making for perceived energy on the palate where the plum flavor needs that extra push to the back end so it doesn’t linger too long and become too “plummy-soft” on the mid. The continuous push of flavors is what elevates this from being just another 2012 mid-level Cabernet. Finishes with a dry dirt minerality (the fabled Rutherford dust that folks often chinwag about) that juxtaposes appropriately with the core fruit.
Drink now and over the next 5+ years.
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8/23/2020 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Casual Dinner w/Friends (R&R's): No formal note. Courtesy of our hosts, this had been opened and allowed to breathe in bottle before our arrival. Deep crimson color. Vanilla, red plum, dust, black raspberry and spice notes. Full-bodied. Plum, chocolate, blue fruit and currant flavors. Silky texture. Long finish. 94-95 pts.
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8/3/2020 - Clrv wrote: 91 Points
I still think this bottle has potential as it did finally open up at the 3-4 hour mark. The tannis finally settled down and let the fruit shine through. Keeping my drinking window the same.
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8/1/2020 - tomoem Likes this wine: 94 Points
First sip following a short 30 minute decanting revealed asphalt on the nose, with a spice driven palette and balanced fruit and tannin. Loads of acidity telling me this is built to age. We let sit for another hour with occasional swirling in the decanter and then glass for another 5-15 minutes.
Color is total black ink with slight purple hue. Make no mistake this is a fruit forward modern Napa Cabernet. In fact I challenge someone to distinguish this from the 12' Scarecrow in the color and aroma catagory. Maybe on the nose it is more closed but just slightly.
On the palette it is rich and ripe blackberry fruit, in fact ....cassis, with some wood presence, definitely spiced with a vanilla coating making this simply heaven. The mid palette is more alive with blueberry fruit charging forward and then revealing some licorice and dark chocolate sweetness on the finish. Long and lingering on the finish for over 1 minute.
This wine represents such value as it drinks way up there with the best of Napa. Think we paid $160 or so but worth more.
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7/18/2020 - jctra wrote: 95 Points
Nice to drink now
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3/14/2020 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine:
Initially open then closed down and barely re emerged. Score withheld.
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3/1/2020 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Once it opened in the decanter it showed polished red fruit (mostly raspberry, with some cassis) and a long finish of crushed rocks and loam. After a couple of hours the comcentration faded somewhat. Reminded me a little of Harlan’s The Maiden. 94-95 best only with a very short decant.
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1/1/2020 - MJTed Likes this wine: 95 Points
Awesome wine ready to go. Plush, complex and finishes long. Puts many high end Napa “first” cabs to shame for 2012
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12/25/2019 - swigna Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. Christmas wine that does not disappoint. Complex enough that people thought they were drinking several wines. One guest actually asked if I had changed to a new wine. Balanced and long finish.
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12/8/2019 - forgivenfool Likes this wine: 96 Points
Had at steakhouse for anniversary dinner. Very short decant, in fact, the first glass went from bottle to decanter to glass immediately. Delicious from the first sip (my wife said from the first whiff) and improved over the course of the meal. Have 2 more of this vintage in the cellar and about a dozen of other scattered vintages, but have not had the pleasure of the flagship wine. Hard to imagine it is 2-3 times better though, but curiosity will force me to purchase one!
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10/24/2019 - bdh wrote:
Gift from Armand and Kelly for WC work 10/24/19
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10/13/2019 - Maphill01 Likes this wine:
MBH wedding
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10/1/2019 - R&R Likes this wine: 95 Points
Did not let this open enough. It was just starting to open when the last drop was poured. Lesson learned.
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7/4/2019 - hhyder Likes this wine: 96 Points
I've been purchasing 1 M Etain and 1 Scarecrow since the 2012 vintage but this is the first bottle I have tried. My wife and I enjoyed it at a nice steakhouse and this wine was pretty amazing! It is perfectly balanced between opulence and refinement with a nice, long finish. Can't wait to try the Scarecrow in a few years! Just needed a quick splash decant and it was ready to go in 15 minutes.
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6/3/2019 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 95 Points
Same as last notes.
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4/5/2019 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 96 Points
Same as previous notes except I saved some for day 3 & 4. Drank side by side with 16 VHR over 4 days.
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1/18/2019 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drinking beautifully with a quick decant. Drank over a 4/5 hour window. Wish I would have saved some for the next day to note changes. Drink now and save some for the long haul.
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12/26/2018 - Siebs Cellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very smooth. Tannins are pronounced and seem to need more air. Fruit is forward but reasonably nuanced. I would drink as often as my wallet allowed.
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12/19/2018 - mflesh wrote: 95 Points
Crashed a Christmas party tonight, however when the host saw me he put a wine glass in my hand. Okay by me! First wine that I had the honors of tasting an hour after bottle decanting. SOMEONE has to make sure it's not corked!! :) This is a hedonistic blackberry filled wine. Has a hint of mint, and dark chocolate in the middle and finish. Still very tannic however the tannins are relatively round on the finish and did not seem to make the wine appear closed off or unapproachable. This wine has max structure, tons of character and density. Will age for a long time. One of the tops for me for tonight.
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11/22/2018 - Jmac56 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Nearly perfect, great nose, deep inky, well balanced but missing that je ne sais quoi.
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11/3/2018 - hoservin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for 1.5 hours. Blackberry, black cherry, currant, mocha, licorice and spice. Very long, soft finish. Full bodied. Served with grilled filet mignon and a black truffle & blue cheese butter.
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11/2/2018 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Small Rhone Tasting w/Aussie Ringer (R&D's): Courtesy of Rich & Rose, popped and poured. Deep inky opaque color, this is unabashedly Napa. Loads of black currants, cassis, blue fruit, vanilla and barrel spice with hints of chocolate underneath. Full-bodied and tannic at this youthful stage, but the tannins are very fine and well-knit, supporting an abundance of lush black fruit- cassis and plum- along with licorice, vanilla, chocolate and blue fruit. Long finish. Nicely balanced as well. Should round out very nicely with a few more years in the cellar- plenty of upside potential.
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9/22/2018 - brianngibson wrote: 95 Points
Just continues to get better. Silky smooth tannins and overflowing fruit.
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8/26/2018 - pdemaio wrote: 95 Points
Wow. Great example of 2012 availability. Drinking beautiful. Bigger, lush. Great fruit. Blueberry
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8/1/2018 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 95 Points
We pop and poured this but were also able to enjoy it out of the bottle over two hours. My wife’s first words were “wow, this smells incredible.” Jackpot! Sweet cardamom, black cherry, cedar & truffled blackberries on the nose. Opened beautifully in the glass revealing some clove, huckleberry, cherry-vanilla tobacco on the palate. The tannic structure and acidity here were in perfect harmony. This may get just a touch better, but this is young Napa Cab in a killer drinking window.
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5/23/2018 - blarmston Likes this wine: 92 Points
Having arrived home after 12 days eating and drinking our way through France, I longed for a tasty Napa Cabernet. I enjoy the French wines, but after tasting dozens of Right Bank (mostly Saint Emilion, some Pomerol) wines, I realize that my heart belongs in Northern California. Perhaps when I visit again and explore Left Bank, I may be moved to cheat a bit more.
Not gonna lie, while I was expecting a powerhouse effort from thie M'Etain, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. After about 90 minutes of air in the new Zalto decanter (I broke my other one- long story), I dove in.
Decent enough nose of dark berry, some asphalt, spice?, followed by a nice mid of Rutherford dust element, but the finish was a bit lacking. I was expected a bit more bite on the tannins but this seemed to have little power on this night.
Not that this isnt a nice wine, but there was an imbalance between expectations and reality.
I will hold my last bottle form this vintage for a couple years, but not thinking this will improve markedly.
Drink now or over next 2-4 years...
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5/15/2018 - Clrv Likes this wine: 91 Points
Did not take proper notes as we opened during a Business dinner. Not in a great place at the moment seemed very closed and never really opened. A lot of heat with a little black fruit. Won’t open another bottle for a least a year.
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5/12/2018 - gschneider wrote: 92 Points
Still plenty young. Loads of ripe red fruits
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3/20/2018 - n2wine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fabulous wine.
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1/19/2018 - RedRedMoreRed Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank this side by side with a 2003 Bond Matriarch. Given the age on the Bond, not really a fair fight. However the Scarecrow showed very well. Deep long legs and a nose full of fruit. Still a bit tannic on the first taste, but then rounded out with nice balance. Very drinkable now, but still has lots of room to improve with more time in the bottle. I'll hold my next bottle for at least 4-5 more years.
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8/26/2017 - Siebs Cellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good fruit. Hints of blackberry. Good structure. Seems young.
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7/16/2017 - ageverett Likes this wine: 95 Points
Gave this 2 hours of slow ox. Drank within an hour.
Also had 2012 Pott Western and a Jack Quinn open.
This was the wine that disappeared quickest and pretty well split with the Pott on WOTN. This was better with the steaks to me; more body, and benefitted from the food. The Pott was better later, in isolation.
Continues to be a great wine in line with prior notes. Drinking well.
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5/12/2017 - Wine Gombie Likes this wine: 95 Points
Time, Time, oh my goodness does this need more time! Okay now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, moving on . . . . .
Decanted for 5 ½ hours prior to dinner then had to send it through a Vinturi to infuse some more air into the mix. So, if you’re drinking this wine now, double decant it!!
Color: Dark, Opaque Red
Nose: Alcohol! Then very sweet, ripe cherries like for a pie filling, followed by heat. So, the whole cherry thing is going on and Jade seems to get a green leaf note in the background. This wine is really not ready to come out of the bottle just yet.
Taste: We tasted this with just the 5 ½ hour of decanting and then tasted it again with the Vinturi, yea the Vinturi made the difference! Dark sweet fruit right away with green leaf leaning to an almost earthy quality. This is an extremely concentrated and complex wine with soft, silky tannins that are almost creamy in nature. Tight!!
So, we’ll finish like this: this wine needs a lot more bottle time. This will let the wine grow up to be the big, bold, strong cabernet that it is supposed to be. I think we are going to follow everybody else’s opinion and wait another 5 years minimum before we try this bad boy again. Even though this was a great wine for Jade’s birthday, it was just a little too young to open just yet. I agree - Jade.
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2/11/2017 - JEP007 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Lovely wine. Tannins are still drilling down, but the elegance is clearly showing, reminded me somewhat of Dr. Crane from B Cellars. Agree with prior notes, wait 5 years.
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2/11/2017 - cwrwine wrote: 92 Points
Very good. Lots of dark fruit. Well balanced tannins for a young wine. Still rather closed. Best to wait another 5 years of plus.
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11/6/2016 - jctra Likes this wine: 96 Points
Great balanced and perfect to drink now or in the next 10 years.
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10/27/2016 - SMHalps wrote: 88 Points
Him vs. Her - a blind Winmaker tasting (Landmarc @ the Time Warner Center): Tasted blind, popped and poured.. What happened here? I really enjoyed my previous bottle of the 2012....But this was hot on the taste, and an over extracted fruit bomb. Blind, it did very poorly with my 9 person wine group. We were shocked when we pulled the tape off the bottle. It might be ok to drink it alone, but with food, it was harsh.
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10/15/2016 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 95 Points
No formal notes. Three hour double decant. This was hitting on all cylinders tonight. I really, really love how Scarecrow has such great balance with their wines. They manage to put depth and power together with nice acidity, excellent structure and the potential for longevity. This was open for business tonight, with the trademark silky mouthfeel and really nice fine tannin integration. It will satisfy those who like high octane cabs, as it is no slouch, but also likely be enjoyed by those who want a wine that won't turn your face red and pairs well with food. Drank alongside a 2014 Carter Three Kings and this was the better wine. Long life ahead, but drinking well now for those who like more fruit.
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10/5/2016 - joeroth Likes this wine: 95 Points
Exquisite!
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9/4/2016 - R&R Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great expression of how good Cali Cab can be. Slightly fruit forward, but great complexity. Not a "smack you in the face" style, but plenty of power.
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8/24/2016 - ruchottalex Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good wine, just getting into a nice drinking window now. It does have a sensation of cherry, red fruits, very long, a little sensation of sweetness. Evolved well after 3 hours - would decant. It didn't not come across as having a lot of tannin and there are just some hints of developing earthier flavors - I think this will drink best within the next 5 years.
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8/20/2016 - akinisky Likes this wine: 97 Points
Tasting nicely. Still some tightness in it that needs to open up but very drinkable right now. Light oaky vanilla after tones.
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7/24/2016 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
This really is wow wine. I've had scarecrow before and it's fantastic. This is like bond to harlan. I opened it up and had the first glass after an hour decant and had the last glass at about hour three. It continued to improve with more time, which I recommend. It was really beautiful with dark sweet fruit, toasted oak, brooding dark berries. Tannins were forward but velvety and well hidden. structure is massive and layered. For california cab fans this is the wine. It's really open and accessible right now at 4 years old and I imagine a wine of this pedigree and with my experiences it will shut down soon and want to be revisited in about 3-5 more years.
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6/6/2016 - twelch wrote: 96 Points
Wow was this good. Decanted a couple of hours. The nose just burst out the bottle while pouring into the decanter. The aroma filled the room in seconds. Deep dark purple in color. Very well integrated event at this point. Maybe could be a little more depth on this but damn was it good.
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6/3/2016 - B Paul wrote: 93 Points
Did not decant, but should have as it needed a little air. I'd say drink or hold for a bit.
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5/29/2016 - ageverett Likes this wine: 96 Points
2012 Rutherford comparison (My House): First note was the color. The Pott and the Greer looked virtually identical, but this wine, while being darker purple, had a more vibrant color.
Nose on this was best out of the chute, and developed even further over the hour it was in the glass prior to initial taste. Ran the gamut from dark purple fruit to slate to dusty tones. Palate absolutely has that "wow" factor. Damn, this is tasty. Powerful dark purple fruit and graphite. Finish is epic - long, and explosive. Tannins already very well integrated.
This could improve with time, but it is awfully good right now.
This was WOTN for all of us, and it disappeared quickly.
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4/12/2016 - brianngibson wrote: 94 Points
Dark, black currant, cigar box, field stones and dust. Hard to put down. It was even better than I expected.
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2/10/2016 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dinner with 6 wine friends, where we drank (in order): 2010 Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvée , 2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Monsieur Ètain (M. Etain), 2012 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, and the 2011 Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée. All the wines were opened at the restaurant, with the first one being open for about 15 minutes before pouring. We all had two glasses at a time, and the next wine was always poured into the glass were it could breathe and open a bit more than just staying in the open bottle.
The M. Etain came in third, its a great wine, but what hurt it was a "soft" sensation in drinking it. It seemed to lack the tannin and structure that would make it a long term hold. We liked it, and felt it was just a hair behind our 2nd place choice.
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1/2/2016 - Siebs Cellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Strong berry taste; possibly boysenberry.
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12/27/2015 - salcorn Likes this wine: 93 Points
Black fruits, silky, surprisingly muted tannins, good acid balance. Not sure if it will gather complexity with age or not.
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11/5/2015 - B Paul wrote: 93 Points
Seems ready with a little air.
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9/19/2015 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 95 Points
Kleur: Diep opaak donker rood Aroma / bouquet: Enorm geconcentreerd aroma. Slapende reus. Ingetogen, complexiteit. Donker fruit, herfstbos, tabak, inkt, jodium, metaal-achtig. Smaak / Afdronk: Verleidelijk, superieure concentratie en superieure complexiteit. Matige zuurgraad, dik sap, sublieme concentratie, donker fruit, laurier drop, zacht zoete drop, mooi en verfijnd geintegreerd hout. Algemeen / potentieel: Slapende schoonheid met powerpotentieel. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 12 + Smaak / Afdronk: 19 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 95/100
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Color: Deep opaque dark red Aroma / bouquet: Enormously concentrated flavor. Sleeping giant. Restrained, complexity. Dark fruit, autumn, tobacco, ink, iodine, metal-like. Taste / Finish: Seductive, superior concentration and superior complexity. Moderate acidity, thick juice, sublime concentration, dark fruit, laurel liquorice, soft sweet licorice, beautiful and sophisticated integrated wood. General / potential: Sleeping beauty with power potential. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 12 + Taste / Finish: 19 + General / potential: 9 = 95/100
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8/29/2015 - Omar Khayyam wrote:
Vinopia sortimentsprovning (AG, stockholm): Licorice, sloeberries, warm ripe fruit (cassis, plums, blackberries), smooth texture but not without structure. Expensive style, you instantly feel this is a luxury item, well made and drinking well now. Big and forward, this still has a very fine point of balance, I am sure cellaring this for ten-twenty years would be worthwhile if you have the money and the patience. recommended
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8/10/2015 - Sonojoe wrote: 98 Points
Dark fruit, molasses slap, anise, cassis, delicious.
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7/19/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened for slow ox in the bottle for 2 hours. Decanted for another two. This is a powerhouse wine. Gets your attention quickly on the nose. Ripe fruits just burst from the glass. Rolling palate of medium-plus weight with dark purple fruits and gravel. Big finish with a solid dose of Rutherford Dust.
Had next to a 2012 Myriad Dr. Crane. This was the more "attention getting" wine at first. But it also had a little more time to breathe. The Myriad was more layered and nuanced, and came into its own later in the evening. Both were easy 95 pointers and have room to grow.
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7/10/2015 - carisua78 wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding wine, althougth young very enjoyable. Ton of red fruit on the nose, hint of mint, licorice, vanilla, and red cassis. The red fruit explodes on the plate followed by an silky smooth finish. I can see this wine evolving into a very elegant wine within 3 to 5 years, but very tasty at this young stage. This was my first M. Etain so I couldn't resist the opportunity to try it before the next offering. Overall so far I find 2012 a very elegant vintage, I can't wait to try the 2013 and 2014.
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6/29/2015 - Niagara wrote:
I think a bit too young ... should be more approachable than it is. give it a year.
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6/3/2015 - Mr T wrote:
Slow oxed for 4-5 hours before dinner of grilled lamb chops. Saved this for friends who I knew would love this wine. Very dark color...not sure I got much nose. Wine is very smooth and creamy and fruity and rich and was much preferred to Bevan '11 Curmudgeon (which is 655 cab franc), but they are very different animals. I liked this and could appreciate its strengths, but it didn't move me. It didn't really have any character or personality that got my attention. Not to worry since the others quite happily dispatched it.
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4/29/2015 - R&R Likes this wine: 96 Points
Outstanding young Napa Cab! Really blew away all the other wines we had that night. Had the tell-tale Scarecrow balance, but with a more youthful ripeness that didn't hide! The wine got better with each continued sip for hours, staying on point with a 45 second finish all night.
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4/6/2015 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
Ready to drink with 3 hour decant. Very full bodied.
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4/2/2015 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
Guys Dinner (Wildfire Chicago): Awesome nose. Inky cassis, blueberry pie. So lovely and royal.
Plump delicate palate but round and opulent.
Some smokey elements too. Very fun and delightful to try against the 2007 Scarecrow.
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2/14/2015 - Tmckinley20 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very fruity but not overripe. Still very young so had it decanted for 2 hrs.
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2/6/2015 - jeffm_fla Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow! Quite a fruit bomb now, but a lot of other stuff going on as well. Goes right up to the line, but never crosses - ripe, but not overripe, bright fruit that doesn't reach stewed,etc. Very young now (I should have decanted), but a really nice effort. Can't wait to see what the Scarecrow is like for 2012!
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1/31/2015 - rylanreynolds wrote: 95 Points
My first Scarecrow wine and this one is a humdinger. Spectacularly crafted and complex. Will get even more sophisticated with time.
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1/25/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine:
Had side by side with a 2002 Staglin 20th Anniversary Cabernet from Rutherford. The Staglin was the clear winner for me, although others largely picked the M Etain to drink with dinner. I think it was just a bit early and think I should have decanted for longer than 2 hours. All that said, this is a really good wine with a bright future. If I had to rate on this experience, would say 93+ and will be surprised if this isn't a 95+ point wine for me in the future.
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1/19/2015 - Niagara wrote: 95 Points
shite, that's good!
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1/15/2015 - tp096255 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decent, but ordinary. A lot of heat made this unpleasant as it warmed up, so try to serve it cool and keep it on the cool side.
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1/10/2015 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
Rich and lush. Still young but really tasty.
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12/31/2014 - ajfret01 Likes this wine:
I love this producer. So complex and interesting across several vintages. Rich and complex on the nose. Cedar, blackberry, and violet. Rich mouth feel. Cassis and oak. Nice long finish. Great now but. Many good years ahead of it.
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12/7/2014 - AEROSMITH wrote: 95 Points
all i can say is if you have some you should wait(if you can) but we had to drink one and everyone said it was "THE BEST CABERNET THEY EVER HAD "jammy ,grapey,and can last for a very long time.drank it over 2 hrs and it kept getting better and better.decanted for 1 1/2 hrs.just amazing.my friend owns a restaurant and he agreed with the opinion.next time at this point ,i will decant for a least 3 hrs.would wait to see how this year evolves .i agree with the time to wait with the other review maybe longer if you can hold out.
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11/27/2014 - JHumps Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, by far the best M.Etain yet. Popped 2 early Thanksgiving morning and gave it all day in the cellar in covered decanter. Excellence! This is for sure drinkable now, but that just isn't fair for the wine. Give it 2-3 years at least and it will excel. Glad to have 30 left in the cellar still.
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11/27/2014 - Boneguru Likes this wine: 95 Points
Liquid velvet! Decanted for 40 minutes and this thing was just fantastic! Amazed that this is ready to drink now. Can't wait to see how it evolves over the next 5-7 years.
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