Wine Advisor
Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Once again, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to the 2007, but the aromas and flavors seems to be just a touch brighter, which might just be a function of the wine’s age. A wine of remarkable precision, the 2009 is totally dialed in from start to finish. Layers of intensely sweet, perfumed fruit are woven together with remarkable elegance and sheer polish. Today, the 2009 isn’t quite as radiant as it has been in the past, and seems headed for a stubborn phase. It is still striking, though. Even if a bit less exotic than the 2007, the two wines share a silkiness and overall sense of textural finesse. A translucent, weightless finish rounds things out in style. The 2009 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. 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
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2009 Screaming Eagle is insanely beautiful. It is a relatively open vintage that nevertheless possesses stunning intensity, depth and elegance. Dark red berries, flowers, mint and spices are all woven together beautifully. Layers of fruit build effortlessly to the long, seductive finish. The 2009 continues to flesh out in the glass. All of the elements are in the right place in the drop-dead gorgeous, stunning 2009. A haunting bouquet reminiscent of a great Musigny lingers on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. 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
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2009 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot) displays a slightly peppery nose, but ratchets up the level of concentration with pure black currant and black cherry fruit as well as licorice and lead pencil shavings. This beautiful, dense, full-bodied 2009 is exceptionally elegant, pure and seamless. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. Under the ownership of Stan Kroenke, this vineyard has been replanted and a new cellar has been constructed. The production of Screaming Eagle has remained between 700-1,000 cases, and a second wine, the Second Flight, includes 520-800 cases. The introduction of a second wine is an attempt to keep Screaming Eagle at its mythical level of quality. This vineyard, situated on the valley floor at the Oakville Crossroads across the road from the Rudd Estate, encompasses 60 acres, but only a small percentage is used for these two cuvees. Based on the three vintages I tasted, it appears the Second Flight wines include much less Cabernet Sauvignon and more Merlot than the flagship Screaming Eagle. Tel. (707) 944-0749
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Once again, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to the 2007, but the aromas and flavors seems to be just a touch brighter, which might just be a function of the wine's age. A wine of remarkable precision, the 2009 is totally dialed in from start to finish. Layers of intensely sweet, perfumed fruit are woven together with remarkable elegance and sheer polish. Today, the 2009 isn't quite as radiant as it has been in the past, and seems headed for a stubborn phase. It is still striking, though. Even if a bit less exotic than the 2007, the two wines share a silkiness and overall sense of textural finesse. A translucent, weightless finish rounds things out in style. The 2009 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2009 Screaming Eagle is insanely beautiful. It is a relatively open vintage that nevertheless possesses stunning intensity, depth and elegance. Dark red berries, flowers, mint and spices are all woven together beautifully. Layers of fruit build effortlessly to the long, seductive finish. The 2009 continues to flesh out in the glass. All of the elements are in the right place in the drop-dead gorgeous, stunning 2009. A haunting bouquet reminiscent of a great Musigny lingers on the finish.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet franc and 5% merlot): Good bright ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of crushed cassis, ripe redcurrant, licorice, bitter chocolate, tobacco and spearmint. Smooth and impressively concentrated, with a hint of medicinal austerity to the flavors of black fruits, violet, bitter chocolate and menthol. Penetrating, gripping wine with great flavor intensity. Powerfully structured too, finishing with firm tannins and outstanding, slowly building, juicy length. The pH here is 3.8, according to estate manager Armand de Maigret, but the wine boasts outstanding lift.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Deep medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, licorice and stone show a youthfully medicinal quality. Displays sweet fruit on entry, but this is more like a tightly coiled spring on the mid-palate, conveying a distinctly imploded character today. Densely packed, juicy and spicy wine with a firm tannic spine and terrific length and lift. This very powerful wine, which appears to have more seed tannins than the 2008, will need a good decade of bottle aging upon release.
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."
