2018 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc California White

2018 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc

Type of Wine	California White : If you're in the mood for a creative, compelling white wine, few regions can compete with California, and it's immense varietal diversity. With the pure, potent essence of grapes such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, these wines will stimulate your senses and arouse your intellect. Give in, and enjoy.
Varietal	Sauvignon Blanc : The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc, which hails from Western France and now successfully grown in emerging and established wine regions all over the world, is an ancient grape. Sauvignon Blanc and its red counterpart, Cabernet Franc, gifted to the world of wine its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Its progeny has become the most popular and widely planted varietal in the world but Sauvignon Blanc is no slouch, ranking among the top ten, itself. Its exact emergence upon the earth is still undetermined, but appears to be indigenous to central France (the Loire Valley) or to the southwest France (Bordeaux). There is still discussion as to Sauvignon Blanc’s actual origins, with both Bordeaux and the Loire claiming to be the grape’s homeland. Both fashion incredible wine from the varietal and have been a leading force for the wine’s world-wide popularity. Sauvignon Blanc is so popular today, that 123,000 hectares are planted to the varietal across the world, ranking third among all white wine producing varietals, behind only Airen (218,000ha) and Chardonnay (211,000ha). The origin dispute aside, the grape’s versatility means its regions and styles are remarkably diverse, both within France and internationally. Sauvignon Blanc’s geographical spread and versatility means it is found in a range of styles from classic dry white wines to individual, highly aromatic international interpretations to highly unctuous, sweet wines. The Loire appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume produce, arguably, the greatest example of the quintessential Sauvignon Blanc offering, often as a single-varietal and unoaked bringing forth wines that are mineral, citrusy, steely, bright and reasonably long-lived. Pouilly and Sancerre are home to some of the top selling Sauvignon Blanc domains in the world, from Dageuneau (Pouilly-Fume) to Vacheron (Sancerre). Bordeaux also produces a classic dry white from Sauvignon Blanc, but is most often in the form of a blend of Sauvignon and Semillon. Haut-Brion Blanc, Pavillon Blanc de Chateau Margaux (100% Sauvignon Blanc) and Cos d’Estournel Blanc are some of the top selling, quality white Bordeaux offerings. Whereas the typical winemaking techniques of Loire do not involve oak-aging, it most often does occur in Bordeaux, giving the wine a signature texture and a mix of herbal and tropical aromas. In Sauternes (including Barsac) a very unique winegrowing method is implemented. The grapes of Sauvignon Blanc (Semillon and Muscadelle) endure a long hang time in which the late Autumn fog and humid climate attracts Botrytis Cinerea, a fungus that attacks the grape, also known as noble rot. The result is an unctuous, utterly delicious golden liquid that has placed the wines of Sauternes as some of the most characteristic and expensive in the world. Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Climens are undoubtedly among the top producers in the region. Outside of France, Sauvignon Blanc, with its diverse and easily manipulated qualities has grown in popularity and now inhabits over 38 countries in some of the greatest terroir hotspots including New Zealand, California, Chile, Spain and Australia. Sauvignon Blanc arrived in California in the 1860’s but the varietal’s mainstream influence on American consumers wouldn’t come until 1966 when Robert Mondavi fashioned a dry white in the style of a Loire wine, naming it Fume Blanc. The varietal has only grown in quality and popularity in America since. Sauvignon Blanc thrives in terroirs and climates that mimic that of the Loire Valley, where it perhaps, reaches its full zenith. The soil consists heavily of flint (silica), which gives it a smoky aroma found in both Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre. However, Sauvignon Blanc is quite adaptable to a myriad of terroirs around the world, revealing each terroir through the wine itself. The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc is simply tremendous in its quality, non-discrimination of its elements (to a degree) and has fashioned some of the world’s most intriguing array of wines.
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.

Producer	Screaming Eagle : Screaming Eagle took flight in 1992 with its debut vintage and quickly soared to the status of “cult” wine, driving collectors into a frenzy and creating a phenomena that had enthusiasts tripping over each other to obtain. This Majestic wine, in its short history has shot to the top of hot and continues to drive commanding prices. With a waiting list for the waiting list, allocating this wine is like grasping oil with your hands. Without any knowledge of winemaking or growing for that matter, Jean Phillips, decided to take a plunge into the world of wine by purchasing the now roosting location for the magnificent wines of Screaming Eagle. Leaving behind a successful career as a realty investor, Phillips bought the already planted vineyard that dates back to the 1940s, as a 50-acre plot of a mishmash of varieties. She quickly replanted the land to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. By making “home” wine, she learned the nuances of those grape varieties and under the advisement of Robert Mondavi moved from grower to maker. 1992 became a monumental year for Screaming Eagle as it debuted the collaboration of the highest quality blocks of the Rutherford vineyard and the winemaking expertise of Heidi Peterson Barrett (wife of Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena). Barrett was brought on as chief winemaker and the formation of one of the most collectible California wines came to fruition. A mere three years later when the inaugural vintage was released, it gained major traction after receiving an astounding 99 points from famed tasting professional Robert Parker. Screaming Eagle had risen to fame quickly and was regarded by critics and collectors alike as a Napa first growth. By 2006, demand far outweighed supply and with its small stone facility and the onslaught of leaf roll virus in many of the Rutherford blocks, it became difficult to produce more than a few barrels. Phillips decided to sell the property to Stan Kroenke and sports agent, Charles Banks. Hastily replanting blocks affected by the virus, brining on hotshot Cabernet Sauvignon winemaker, Andy Erickson, consultation by famous French oenologist Michel Rolland and David Abreu assigned to manage the vineyards were all savvy moves by the new owners. Three years later Kroenke assumed sole ownership and had a young Nick Gislason as chief winemaker. Nevertheless, Screaming Eagle continued to soar towards greatness with each vintage released. A merlot-based blend, originally named Second Flight came to fruition as a nod to the winery’s bird iconography. And while Phillips tenure having been the “first flight,” it was suitably named. It has since been changed to simply, The Flight, as it is recognized more as a sister wine rather than a second wine to the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon of Screaming Eagle. Today, the property is tenderly maintained by Gislason, who claims that the site is a convergence zone geologically, as it sits on a fault line creating an intermingling of soils. Volcanic stones, uplifted igneous rocks, alluvial gravel, and thanks to the influence of the Napa River, there are sections of clay. Both viticulture and vinification are overseen by Gislason, who suggests that it’s important not to just look at the vines but their holistic surroundings. He implements a unique method of oxidizing the soil by allowing sheep to graze the vine rows, but are quickly moved to pasture once budding begins as the sheep also enjoy the fresh green tips of the growing vines. The sheep are replaced with chickens that resume the task of clearing the rows and fertilizing the soil, increasing its health along the way. It’s a simplistic, holistic and genius way of doing more by doing less and by allowing nature to assume its role in the harvesting. This luxury liquid is rarely tasted outside the winery, as much of the wine goes to collectors whom are more likely to sell their allocation than drink it; however, those who have had the unique opportunity are overwhelmed with its upfront elegance. Both Screaming Eagle and The Flight are age worthy wines, more classic Bordeaux than modern Napa, yet, still with the perfumed nose and mineral line that speaks of Oakville. The Cabernet is impressively layered, fine-boned and full of character. Screaming Eagle isn’t about power, but rather elegance, refined and pure, with a rich, silky, velvety texture. The Merlot has surprising and pleasing structure and poise. Though scarce and nearly mythical, if the wine somehow lands in a lucky individual’s hands and is willing to uncork the bottle, they would be taken on a flight to ecstasy and back.