Screaming Eagle, Second Flight 2011

vinous94

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

A dark, voluptuous beauty, the 2011 Second Flight is laced with plum, grilled herbs, tobacco, smoke, violets and graphite. The style is cool, savory and precise, perhaps with a bit less body than normal, but with plenty of energy, finesse and balance. Simply put, this is a magnificent showing.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(54% merlot, 42% cabernet and 4% cabernet franc): Fresh, aromatic nose combines cassis, bitter chocolate, coffee, licorice and wild herbs, lifted by violet. Juicy and slightly dry, with the cassis, licorice and herb flavors complicated by a note of wild rose that's often found in the merlot here. The least-ripe cabernet franc was declassified in 2011 owing to a hint of toughness to its tannins.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet colored, the 2011 Second Flight (a blend of 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc) offers up a gorgeous perfume of wilted roses and violets over a core of blackberry tart, raspberry preserves and kirsch with subtle baking spices and garrigue notions. Medium to full-bodied with a solid frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, it has wonderfully perfumed layers and an exotic spice-laced finish. It has a surprising amount of weight and concentration for this cool, rainy vintage. Winemaker Nick Gislason informed me that the last pick was on November 1 this year—which is extremely late! But this later harvest clearly paid off when you consider how ripe the tannins are on this beauty.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A blend of 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, the elegant, round 2011 Second Flight offers hints of coffee beans, roasted herbs, black currants and jammy black cherries. Elegant and medium-bodied with low acidity and sweet tannin, it should drink nicely for 7-8 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

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

A dark, voluptuous beauty, the 2011 Second Flight is laced with plum, grilled herbs, tobacco, smoke, violets and graphite. The style is cool, savory and precise, perhaps with a bit less body than normal, but with plenty of energy, finesse and balance. Simply put, this is a magnificent showing.