Robert Parker 95 pts The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder is composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3.5% Merlot, 1.5% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep purple-black, it sings of warm blackberries, cassis and wild blueberries with hints of violets, dark chocolate, cigar box and menthol. Full-bodied and laden with black and blue fruit, it has a firm structure of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long. 6,441 cases produced.
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2016 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental has a bright, open nose of warm cranberry, rhubarb and pomegranate with raspberry and red cherry preserves plus notes of saline, orange peel, autumn leaves, rose petal and stone. Light to medium-bodied, it's packed with juicy red, perfumed fruits in the mouth, with very fine, softly grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and focused. There's a unique coastal signature to this very pretty wine.
Robert Parker 100 pts Scarecrow is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from two acres of old vines planted in 1945 by John Daniel and dry farmed. Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes sashaying out of the glass with tantalizing notions of violets, lavender, Black Forest cake, mulberries, tobacco leaf and fragrant earth with a core of warm cassis, kirsch, Chinese five spice, rose hip tea and cedar chest. The palate is full-bodied and super concentrated yet possesses great energy with vibrant red and black fruits and loads of mineral accents, framed by very ripe, super fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long with the most incredible perfume. Hedonistically, undeniably and deliciously perfect. 2,000 cases are to be made, to be released in the spring of 2019.
Robert Parker 97 pts Deep garnet-black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard unfurls sensuously from the glass with provocative scents of baked black cherries, plum preserves and crème de cassis, with emerging suggestions of fragrant earth, black truffles, Chinese five spice and dusty soil. Full-bodied, rich and oh-so-spicy on the palate, it has a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins and lively acidity supporting the opulent fruit, finishing very long and exotic. This is a surprisingly decadent and powerful expression of 2017!
Robert Parker 96 pts The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Medium garnet in color, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of dried cherries, boysenberry preserves, blackcurrant pastilles and charcuterie with hints of chocolate mint, rose oil and licorice, plus a waft of cardamom. The rich, full-bodied palate is tightly knit and youthful, delivering great tension among the layers upon layers of minerals, black fruits and floral notes, finishing very long and incredibly perfumed. Gorgeous.
Robert Parker 97+ pts Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Scarecrow opens with notions of warm cassis, baked plums, black raspberries and boysenberries with accents of dried mint, pencil shavings and fragrant soil plus a waft of cast iron pan. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, it has a solid backbone of fantastically ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.
