2013 Screaming Eagle Second Flight California Red

2013 Screaming Eagle Second Flight

97 JS

Featured Review

Very bright and aromatic with dark purple fruits on the nose. Mint, floral and vine bark. Spearmint. Full body, very firm tannins, wonderful savoriness. Flavorful finish. A fabulous mouthfeel. Very, very long. Mostly merlot with cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Drink or hold. 710 cases made. James Suckling

James Suckling | 97 JS

Moving to the 2013s, the 2013 Second Flight is more powerful than the 2014 yet doesn’t lose a beat with regards to elegance and purity. A blend of 65% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, its deep purple color is followed by terrific notes of black cherries, spice-box, chocolate, and violets nuances. From a vintage that has a compressed harvest and tiny yields, this beauty is full-bodied, has beautiful purity and a finesse-driven, elegant slant that makes it a joy to drink. It will keep for 15-20 years.

Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JD

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Second Flight simply sings of spiced blueberries, black forest cake and preserved plums with suggestions of star anise, baker’s chocolate, fertile loam and dried Provence herbs with a hint of lavender. Big, concentrated, full-bodied and packed to the gills with black fruits, exotic spice and floral layers, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of layers. Still very taut, it needs at least another 2-3 years in bottle. Interestingly, this full-on hedonistic vintage has one of the largest Merlot contributions ever for this wine: 65% Merlot with 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Cabernet Franc.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RP

The 2013 Second Flight is dark, powerful and incisive, with layers of graphite-infused minerality that are pushed forward. This is perhaps the most intense, brooding Second Flight I have tasted so far. Unctuous and deep to the core, the 2013 possesses magnificent concentration to match its spherical texture. Lavender, rose petal, mint and a host of savory notes wrap around the deep, somber finish. What a gorgeous wine the 2013 is shaping up to be. This is a total knock-out from the team at Screaming Eagle.

Vinous Media | 95 VM

A blend containing more Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Screaming Eagle's second wine is more floral and perfumed, revealing a fragrant bouquet of bright raspberry, rose petal, tobacco and spearmint. Supple and savoury, this wine appeals for its aromatic amplitude and classical profile. Drinking Window 2017 - 2027

Decanter | 94 DEC

Type of Wine	California Red : Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	California : With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine.