Wine Advisor
Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
No tasting note given As I wrote last year, original proprietor, Jean Phillips, has moved on, and the new sheriff in town is Charles Banks, who also owns the up and coming superstar, Santa Ynez winery, Jonata. A lot is going on at Screaming Eagle as much of the 54-acre vineyard is being replanted, and a new wine cellar is under construction. Production for the following three vintages runs from a low of 400 cases of the 2005, to approximately 800-900 for the 2007, which is their projected target for future vintages. It will be interesting to see if the $750 a bottle price holds up given the global economic crisis. Certainly, there is no doubting the quality. Beginning with the proprietor, Screaming Eagle has an amazing winemaking team in place, including day to day winemaker Andy Erickson, who is backed up by the globe-trotting Bordelais consultant, Michel Rolland Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Aged 20 months in 72% new French oak, this blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc comes from a great vineyard on the valley floor in Oakville, just south of Rudd Estate and Plumpjack. The wine’s dense ruby/purple color is followed by a beautiful, Pauillac-like (think Pontet Canet or Mouton), ethereal perfume of creme de cassis, or as Michael Broadbent used to say, “celestial black currants,” full body, a velvety texture, fine tannins, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and a terrific finish. While there were no real surprises tasting this wine, I was somewhat intrigued by just how youthful the 2004 Screaming Eagle is showing. I had expected it to reveal slightly more evolution. I thought the 13% Merlot in the blend would push the evolution more quickly. The finish lasts for a full minute. As it has been in just about every vintage, the 2004 is a profound wine. It is for others to decide if it is overpriced, but this is undeniably a great wine that competes on the world stage with the best that exist. Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2004, which is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot with a tiny 2% Cabernet Franc, has put on considerable weight now that it is in bottle. The wine, which was bottled only a month before my visit, performed fabulously well – full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuous, and in that sense, very much a product of this rather flashy, seductive vintage. Dense purple-colored with a beautiful nose of graphite, blackberry, and creme de cassis that has that extraordinary purity and intensity that seems to be a hallmark of Screaming Eagle, the 2004 exhibits a sweet, savory, expansive, powerful palate, but with no hard edges, and everything seamlessly constructed, with just a hint of toasty oak in the finish. This beautifully elegant yet authoritatively flavored wine should drink well young yet age for up to 20 or more years. Not yet released. Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2004, which is nearly 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, with tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, is an up-front style of wine. There were originally around 800 cases of this wine, but Banks and his crew culled out in excess of 200 or so cases, so the quantity produced is approximately 500. The wine has a dark ruby/purple color and a sweet cassis nose with some licorice and very subtle camphor and earth. The wine is exceptionally pure, beautifully textured, opulent, and forward, which is very much in keeping with the style of this vintage. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years. Of course, all of these wines are still sold via their mailing list and even with the pricing up to a whopping $500 a bottle, there seems to be no shortage of demand. Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2004 Screaming Eagle does not reveal the depth of the 2003 or the nearly perfect 2002. It is a more streamlined, delicate, subtle blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot, and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby/purple-colored (but not as opaque as the 2003 or 2002), it exhibits a pretty nose of black currants intermixed with subtle soil, vanilla, and graphite aromas. Medium-bodied and elegant with soft tannin, it will be drinkable young yet promises to age for 10-12 years. (Release date 2007) Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(the new team, led by winemaker Andy Erickson, eliminated some cabernet franc and merlot from the blend before bottling this wine, which was vinified by ex-winemaker Heidi Barrett) Good deep ruby-red. Deeper, sweeter aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, mocha, smoke and minerals. Rich and suave in the mouth; fuller and considerably smoother than the 2003. This boasts lovely sweetness and superb refinement, as well as more stuffing to support its nutty oak than the leaner 2003 possesses. There's nothing astringent about this. The blend includes just 6% merlot and 2% cab franc.
About the Producer
Screaming Eagle Winery makes wine in a tiny stone winery. The winery is located on a stone hill overlooking the valley. Since Phillips first sold wine in 1992, the wines produced by Screaming Eagle Winery have been called the representative of limited production, high quality and super expensive California wine. Phillips adheres to the "less is more" philosophy of winemaking. She is a perfectionist, and also brings this "pursuit of perfection" spirit to wine making, using the "garage wine" method. When the grapes are ripe, she carefully selects the most ripe and flawless grapes to make top-quality wines. The wine produced by Screaming Eagle Winery is indeed worthy of the title of "garage wine". The wine is deep maroon color, exudes strong fruity and explosive aromas of berries, coffee, fur, wild mushrooms and flowers. It needs to be aged for 15 years. Only started drinking in 20 years. Screaming Eagle Winery does not accept orders from customers, and can only make reservations through the Internet. After making reservations, they often have to wait in line for several years before they can get their desired wines. Screaming Eagle Winery is the most expensive wine in Napa Valley. Ms Phillips summed up her excellence beautifully: "I just follow my heart and I always feel like I'm doing what I really love. If I do it, great; if No, at least I'm enjoying my life. That's the philosophy I've always embraced."
