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2019 Screaming Eagle
100 VM
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Critic Reviews
The 2019 Screaming Eagle is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse that stand apart from the generally more potent style of so many wines in this vintage. Deep, sensual and beautifully layered, the 2019 is simply magnificent from the very first taste. A whole range of red/purplish fruit, spice, leather, dried herb and blood orange accents give the 2019 its vivid, wonderfully detailed personality. Because of its price, both on release and in the secondary market, Screaming Eagle is the most talked about wine in Napa Valley. It is hype or not? All I can say is that I was very fortunate to drink a number of older vintages during lockdown and all those wines lived up to their reputations.
Antonio Galloni | 100 AG
Lots of crushed berries, such as raspberries and blackberries, with spearmint and crushed stone, as well as redcurrants. Full-bodied with regal tannins that build on the palate as you taste it and flow over like a gentle waterfall. Such a beautiful, subtle and graceful texture. Best after 2027.
James Suckling | 99 JS
The Grand Vin 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is reminiscent of the 2016, and possibly the 2014, with its beautiful balance, purity, and straight-up class. Offering remarkable purity in its crème de cassis, wildflower, spice, lead pencil, and tobacco-like aromas and flavors, it’s medium to full-bodied, has flawless balance, and building, silky tannins. It’s a thrillingly complete, classic Screaming Eagle that won’t hit maturity for another 7-8 years and I suspect will have 40 to 50 years of overall longevity.
Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JD
Antonio Galloni | 100 AG
Lots of crushed berries, such as raspberries and blackberries, with spearmint and crushed stone, as well as redcurrants. Full-bodied with regal tannins that build on the palate as you taste it and flow over like a gentle waterfall. Such a beautiful, subtle and graceful texture. Best after 2027.
James Suckling | 99 JS
The Grand Vin 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is reminiscent of the 2016, and possibly the 2014, with its beautiful balance, purity, and straight-up class. Offering remarkable purity in its crème de cassis, wildflower, spice, lead pencil, and tobacco-like aromas and flavors, it’s medium to full-bodied, has flawless balance, and building, silky tannins. It’s a thrillingly complete, classic Screaming Eagle that won’t hit maturity for another 7-8 years and I suspect will have 40 to 50 years of overall longevity.
Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JD
Wine Details for 2019 Screaming Eagle
| 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. |
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| 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. |
| Subregion | Napa Valley |
| Appellation | Oakville |
Overview
| 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. |
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