Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The estate’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with considerable richness and pure depth. The spring frosts lowered yields noticeably resulting in a wine that is a bit darker and heavier than is the norm. The rest of the vintage was on the warmer side, which gave the wine much of its ripeness and body. Mocha, espresso, licorice and sweet spices all wrap around the palate. Next to the other wines in this tasting, the 2008 is a bit burly. The mind-bending finesse of the best vintages is missing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. I have had a number of fabulous tastings at Screaming Eagle, but this was one of the most memorable. The biggest news at Screaming Eagle is the release of a second wine, a project that has been in the works for a number of years. Owner Stan Kroenke and his team wanted to make sure their new wine was up to the estate’s standards, and have only released the first vintages over the last few months. I tasted all four vintages of Screaming Eagle’s second label, Second Flight, next to Screaming Eagle itself, which allowed for a fascinating set of comparisons of both wines across a number of vintages. Like its big brother, Second Flight is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine, but here the Merlot plays a much more significant role. Regardless, what comes through most is the signature of these sites as seen through the lenses of the respective vintages. Readers might also enjoy taking a look at a recent video I shot with Winemaker Nic Gislason during the 2012 harvest that we recently posted on our site. Tel. (707) 944-0749

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2008 Screaming Eagle is a model of elegance. Endless layers of sweet, perfumed fruit caress the palate in this captivating, utterly seductive wine. The finesse and silkiness of the tannin is something that is truly unique among the world’s great wines. If Grand Cru Burgundy were made in Napa Valley, it would taste like Screaming Eagle. A delicate, classy finish lets the sheer purity of the fruit come through beautifully here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. Screaming Eagle remains one of the most compelling estates in Napa Valley. The winery is now under full control of Stan Kroenke. Consultant Andy Erickson is no longer involved in the property but his protege Nic Gislason appears to have the passion and talent to take things to the next level, as impossible a task as that may seem given the profound quality of the wines here. In addition to the wines formally reviewed, I also tasted several components of the 2010s that were absolutely gorgeous and a bottle of the 2007 which was flat-out great. OK, that is an understatement. It was utterly profound. But those weren’t the most interesting wines I tasted. Those honors go to the several tanks of 2011 Merlot I sampled during the harvest. Why? Because Screaming Eagle is one of those very rare properties where the bottled wine captures the fullest essence of the fruit just as it tastes at harvest, and that is very, very rare. Tel. (707) 944-0749

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc) is the last wine to be produced from the original 15.5 acre plantings. While very good, it does not measure up to either the 2007 or 2006. It possesses attractive black fruit along with notions of graphite and charcoal, and good opulence and silkiness. At present, it is still unformed and unevolved. While it is undoubtedly another outstanding effort from this terroir on the east side of Oakville, it should be more interesting to taste next year. (Not yet released) Screaming Eagle’s vineyard has undergone a major replanting (35 acres were replanted in 2006). Today, there are only 15.5 acres of the original plantings that made this property so famous. The potential size of 54 acres will certainly increase production if it all turns out to be as high in quality as what has existed in the past. The superstar winemaking team of Andy Erickson, Michel Rolland, and viticulturist David Abreu has been in charge over recent vintages. Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Performing much better than it did last year, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot; 680 cases produced) also possesses extraordinary intensity. Fragrant aromas of loamy soil interwoven with classic creme de cassis, incense and licorice are followed by a big, full-bodied, dense, rich, long, slightly more masculine wine than the 2007 with more prominent tannins than in the seamlessly built 2007. The 2008 is another fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon from this magical sector just south of the Oakville Crossroads. (Not yet released) Certainly 2007 and 2008 are the best back to back vintages at Screaming Eagle since 2002 and 2001. Like the 2007, the 2008 should drink well for at least 20-25 years based on the fact that the 1992, the debut release (which I just had), at age 18 is still an adolescent. Kudos to the winemaking team led by Andy Erickson who is backed up by the blue chip viticulturist David Abreu and the omnipresent Michel Rolland. Tel. (707) 944-0749; Fax (707) 944-9271

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The estate's 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with considerable richness and pure depth. The spring frosts lowered yields noticeably resulting in a wine that is a bit darker and heavier than is the norm. The rest of the vintage was on the warmer side, which gave the wine much of its ripeness and body. Mocha, espresso, licorice and sweet spices all wrap around the palate. Next to the other wines in this tasting, the 2008 is a bit burly. The mind-bending finesse of the best vintages is missing.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2008 Screaming Eagle is a model of elegance. Endless layers of sweet, perfumed fruit caress the palate in this captivating, utterly seductive wine. The finesse and silkiness of the tannin is something that is truly unique among the world's great wines. If Grand Cru Burgundy were made in Napa Valley, it would taste like Screaming Eagle. A delicate, classy finish lets the sheer purity of the fruit come through beautifully here.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(a blend of 88% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot and 4% cabernet franc): Dark ruby-red. Aromas of crushed blackberry, liquid stone, licorice pastille, violet and graphite. Wonderfully sappy and energetic, with berry, licorice and stone flavors dominating. This extremely suave, sweet cabernet boasts terrific intensity and precision. Finishes with lush tannins and outstanding persistence. Screaming Eagle will eventually include 10% to 12% cabernet franc, noted winemaker Andy Erickson. Both this vintage and the young 2009 have pHs around 3.7. This wine was a bit disorganized when I tasted it from barrel a year ago but it has turned out splendidly.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(blended with just 8% merlot and 4% cab franc) Full ruby to the rim. Cherry, cassis, licorice and sweet oak on the nose, plus a note of camphor. Much less pliant than the '07; in fact, this comes across as primary if not unformed today, with a strong oakiness to the high-pitched flavors of black cherry and licorice. This was only racked following the malolactic fermentation, and its elements need time to knit. A strong mineral-driven wine with excellent density. Finishes with sweet, oak-driven tannins and terrific grip and length. Just 500 cases of wine will be made, in part because the merlot was hard-hit by frost. Winemaker Andy Erickson is now doing a full month of maceration, rather than the 12 to 15 days that was previously the rule here.