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Brian Pasch Expert Wine Reviews

What's New

• 06-15-2008 - Restaurant Nicholas Our Top Pick
• 06-01-2008 - Mollydooker Wine Event - August 23rd
• 05-10-2008 - 2004 Dalla Valle Cabernet
• 05-05-2008 - 2005 Scarecrow Cabernet
• 05-05-2008 - 2004 Maiden Cabernet Review
• 04-25-2008 - 2005 Ghost Block Cabernet
• 04-19-2008 - 2005 Meander Cabernet
• 04-18-2008 - 2005 Maybach Materium
• 04-07-2008 - 2004 Sage Cabernet
• 04-05-2008 - 2005 Buccella Cabernet
• 02-20-2008 - 2004 Modus Operandi Cabernet
• What's Old Not So New
• Archives

2004 Scarecrow Cabernet Review

The month of May is always a fun time in my home because so many great wines from California are shipped to me in the Spring. In the past three months it seems that an explosion of great wines are emerging from California from the 2004 vintage. The boxes of wine have been stacking up and now the fun begins as I get to taste offerings from startup California wineries. This week was no exception as I had the opportunity to taste the 2004 Scarecrow and the 2004 Maybach Materium. These two wines were recent highlights on my website, the Maybach being the only wine that I had not tasted in a previous vintage.

Comparing these two wines has no value other than to reflect on their initial "curb appeal" and to discuss their style in the glass. Both wines are built for aging then question to my was who will be better in 10 years? The Maybach has a much stronger tannic presence in the mouth compared to the 2004 Scarecrow. That is not to say that the Maybach is out of balance rather I would wait a few years to crack open another bottle. The 2004 Scarecrow was immediately enjoyable and it screamed to be matched with some barbeque or a Porterhouse steak.

The 2004 Scarecrow like its 2003 counterpart has a distinctive jammy nose; the fruit source for this wine is amazingly concentrated. The tannins in the 2004 Scarecrow were barely detectable at first but on closer examination they do exist but are completely wrapped in its fruit. My winemaking friends at Mollydooker Winery would say that the 2004 Scarecrow has a higher fruit weight score than the Maybach. So, if you like big California Cabernets, the 2004 Scarecrow is destined to please.

Follow-up Review: 2005 Scarecrow Cabernet and the original 2003 Scarecrow Cabernet

2004 Maybach Materium Cabernet review

The 2004 Maybach leans away from a super-ripe style and leans toward a neo-traditional California Cabernet style. The Maybach reminds me of a 1994 Harlan Estate or 1991 Montelena Cabernet on release. The Maybach has great color, fruit and elegance. I have high hopes for the Maybach due to the fact that many great European wines, that are built for aging, often appear a bit tannic when young. I will re-taste this wine in about 3 years and let you know if my prediction was correct.

Since I raved about the 2003 Scarecrow readers have asked me to comment on how the 2004 compares. Both wines have that distinctive fruit weight, dense coloring and nose that will become a trademark for this wine. My initial call is that both wines are near perfect but the 2003 Scarecrow showed better on release than the 2004. The 2004 however may be the better wine in the long term because the tannins seemed to be wound tighter and may preserve the wine over the long term.

The 2004 Scarecrow is non-identical twin in Brent Lopez's emerging family of great wines crafted under the talented winemaking skills of Celia Masyczek. I rated the 2003 Scarecrow 99 points and I would rate the 2004 Scarecrow 98 points. Rating the Maybach is a bit harder but I would score the wine 95-96 points with upside potential upon the next tasting in a few years.

Brian Pasch - May 21, 2007

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