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.

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.

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.

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.

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon M. Étain is fabulous. Inky red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, pomegranate, menthol, licorice 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. -- Antonio Galloni