Scarecrow

Cabernet Sauvignon

Rutherford

2013

Vintage

Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV

Peak 2020-2041

Where it is, June 2026

At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2020-2041).

In 2026, the Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is 6 years into its peak drinking window (peak_start 2020, peak_end 2041), with 15 more years of prime drinking ahead. Thirteen years from harvest and at the early-to-mid stage of a long, distinguished peak, the 2013 is the most celebrated vintage in the Scarecrow estate's history. Wine Spectator awards this vintage its Classic designation (97 points), rating the 2013 Napa growing season "practically a flawless growing season, with moderate temperatures throughout and no heat spikes or rain" and calling it "a no-brainer benchmark." Ground truth describes the 2013 Scarecrow as hauntingly complex, full-bodied yet weightless, with perfectly calibrated tannins, brilliant acidity, and layer upon layer of dark fruit and mineral complexity. In 2026, at 6 years into peak with 15 remaining, this wine is drinking at an early stage of its long peak arc: the fruit and structure that ground truth captures are fully present and integrating, but the wine still has significant development ahead through 2035-2041. This is a wine to open deliberately and with intent: every bottle consumed now is a bottle not held to 2032-2038 when it will reach maximum complexity. The window is long - 15 years remains - but the wine rewards patience and rewards opening.

Related vintages

The ‘13 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fifteen years of peak remaining on a wine widely regarded as the finest Scarecrow in the estate's history - the 2013 delivers crème de cassis, graphite, dried violet, and perfectly calibrated tannins from WS Classic-rated Rutherford, the ultimate expression of what Napa can achieve.

Drinking window

The arcYou are here · at peak, 2026

Tasting note

The nose opens hauntingly complex at 13 years: crème de cassis and black cherry (ground truth) lead with the concentration that the WS Classic-rated 2013 vintage's moderate temperatures and no heat spikes preserved without jammy character. Dried violet and graphite (ground truth) follow, adding the aromatic complexity that separates great Rutherford Cabernet from merely excellent Napa wine. A whisper of sandalwood (ground truth) emerges with 45 minutes of air - an aromatic signature that identifies the J.J. Cohn Estate's specific character. On the palate, the "full-bodied yet weightless" balance (ground truth) is the defining characteristic of the 2013: Wine Spectator's "perfectly calibrated tannins" and "brilliant acidity" (ground truth) produce a wine of extraordinary structural elegance that carries its 15% concentration without weight. Layer upon layer of dark fruit and mineral complexity (ground truth) builds on the mid-palate. The finish is extraordinarily long (ground truth), pure, and refined - the "Rutherford dust" minerality that identifies the J.J. Cohn Estate at its finest expression. At 6 years into peak with 15 remaining, tannins are present and powerful (8/10) but fully resolved into the wine's structure; they will continue softening through 2032-2035.

The 2013 vintage

Wine Spectator awards the 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintage its Classic designation (97 points), describing it as "practically a flawless growing season, with moderate temperatures throughout and no heat spikes or rain. Earliest harvest in 25 years started in August, but Indian summer conditions allowed growers to pick blocks as they wanted through late October. Wines brim with fruit and structure. A no-brainer benchmark." The 2013 growing season was defined by its consistency - temperatures that never spiked delivered slow, even physiological ripening that built phenolic complexity without excessive sugar accumulation. The result was harvest-ready grapes in August (the earliest in 25 years) that could still be left to complete their arc through October under Indian summer conditions - each block picked at its own optimal moment. At Scarecrow's J.J. Cohn Estate in Rutherford, these conditions aligned with a site that is already among the most favored in Napa: the gravel and loam soils of Rutherford's benchland, low yields from ancient vine material, and the thermal advantage of the benchland's morning fog and afternoon warmth. The result is ground truth's description: "one of the finest vintages in the estate's history."

About Scarecrow

Scarecrow is produced from the J.J. Cohn Estate in Rutherford, Napa Valley - a historic site that predates the modern era of Napa winemaking, with vine material of exceptional age on deep gravel and loam benchland soils. The estate is owned and farmed by Bret Lopez, who has maintained the low-yield, meticulous farming philosophy that the site's historical stewards established. The winemaking follows a Rutherford benchland approach: whole-berry fermentation to preserve fruit character, extended maceration for tannin integration, and aging in French oak (predominantly new) for 22-24 months. The "perfectly calibrated tannins" and "brilliant acidity" (ground truth, 2013) that define the estate's best vintages are the expression of this philosophy applied to a site where old vines and terroir do the primary work. Collectibility: among the most sought-after Napa Cabernets produced, allocated entirely through the estate's mailing list. Allocation priority is determined by multi-year list tenure. Compare [Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2012](/wines/scarecrow/cabernet-sauvignon/2012) for the generous, opulent complement.

From the cellar: pair with

Dry-aged bone-in ribeye with bone marrow butter and roasted garlic

Powerful tannins (8/10) demand protein and fat to integrate; crème de cassis and black cherry (ground truth) harmonize with the deep umami of dry-aged beef; brilliant acidity (ground truth) cuts through marrow richness; Rutherford benchland minerality (ground truth) echoes the char of high-heat sear.

Braised short rib with Rutherford-herb reduction and celery root puree

Extended braising breaks down collagen to match the wine's tannin weight (8/10); dark cherry and graphite (ground truth) harmonize with the deep savory reduction; the layer upon layer of complexity (ground truth) continues to unfold alongside the evolving braise flavors; celery root adds minerality that echoes Rutherford dust.

Aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle honey and walnuts

Brillant acidity (ground truth) cuts through the fat of aged sheep's milk cheese; graphite and mineral complexity (ground truth) harmonize with truffle's earth; full body (ground truth) matches the cheese's intensity; powerful tannins (8/10) soften against the protein matrix of aged Pecorino.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 62-65F (17-18C)
Decanting: In 2026, decant 45 to 60 minutes minimum. The 2013 is only 6 years into a 21-year peak (2020-2041), with powerful tannins (8/10) that are integrated but still assertive. Open the bottle, pour into a large Bordeaux-format decanter, and allow a minimum 45 minutes before the first taste - the "hauntingly complex" nose (ground truth) needs significant air to express its full aromatic range from crème de cassis and black cherry through to dried violet, graphite, and the whisper of sandalwood. Budget 60 minutes for a dinner pour. The finish and mid-palate complexity that ground truth describes continue to develop in the glass over 2-3 hours. Do not rush this wine: the "full-bodied yet weightless" balance (ground truth) is accessible within 45 minutes but the full expression rewards patience.
Cellar Storage: 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.

Track this bottle Read the Napa Valley, Rutherford guide

The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.

Frequently Asked

When is the 2013 Scarecrow at its best in 2026?

The 2013 is drinking very well now, 6 years into its peak (peak_end 2041), with 15 years of prime drinking ahead. The WS Classic-rated vintage (97 pts) is at an early stage of a long arc: crème de cassis, graphite, dried violet, and sandalwood are fully present and integrating. The wine will reach maximum complexity around 2032-2038. Drink now with deliberate intent and patience, or hold. Hard decline is 2050. See the [Napa Valley wine guide](/wines/region/napa-valley).

How long should I decant the 2013 Scarecrow?

Minimum 45 minutes, ideally 60. At 13 years with powerful integrated tannins (8/10) and WS Classic-rated structure, the 2013 benefits substantially from aeration. The hauntingly complex nose (ground truth) needs 45 minutes to fully express its crème de cassis, graphite, dried violet, and sandalwood range. Budget 60 minutes for dinner service. The full-bodied yet weightless balance (ground truth) and brilliantly long finish continue to develop in the glass over 2-3 hours - do not rush. Browse [Cabernet Sauvignon](/wines/varietal/cabernet-sauvignon).

What makes the 2013 Scarecrow the finest in the estate's history?

Ground truth describes the 2013 as a monument, widely regarded as one of the finest vintages in the estate's history. The 2013 Napa growing season (WS 97, Classic) was practically flawless: moderate temperatures with no heat spikes, the earliest harvest in 25 years starting in August, but Indian summer conditions allowing blocks to be picked at their own optimal moment through October. This produced wines that brim with fruit and structure (WS). At the J.J. Cohn Estate, these ideal conditions combined with Rutherford benchland terroir and meticulous farming to produce the hauntingly complex nose, full-bodied yet weightless balance, and extraordinarily long finish that ground truth describes.

What food pairs best with the 2013 Scarecrow?

Rich preparations that match its power: dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow butter, braised short rib with herb reduction, aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle. Powerful tannins (8/10) require protein and fat to integrate; brilliant acidity (ground truth) cuts through richness with precision; crème de cassis and dark cherry (ground truth) harmonize with beef's umami and aged cheese's depth. Avoid delicate preparations - this wine will overwhelm them. Browse [Cabernet Sauvignon pairings](/wines/varietal/cabernet-sauvignon).

How does the 2013 compare to the 2012 Scarecrow?

The 2013 is the more celebrated and structured wine; the 2012 is the more generous and immediately opulent. Ground truth: 2013 is 'hauntingly complex, full-bodied yet weightless, with perfectly calibrated tannins' (WS 97, Classic); 2012 is 'generous, opulent, with supple tannins and velvety texture' (WS 96, Classic). The 2013 is peak start 2020 (6yr in, 15yr remaining); the 2012 is peak start 2019 (7yr in, 14yr remaining). For maximum complexity and aging potential, 2013 edges ahead; for a more accessible, velvety expression now, 2012. Compare: [Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2012](/wines/scarecrow/cabernet-sauvignon/2012).