x
  • Country ranking ?

    99
  • Producer ranking ?

    12
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    roast squab with cèpes

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

The Story

“First and foremost, I will be perpetuating the fresh, delicate style of wine that has been the Screaming Eagle hallmark since 1992. Across two winemakers before me (Heidi and Andy), that style has stayed remarkably consistent, which is part of the uniqueness of this ranch. The character of the vineyard really asserts itself. What will be new is the discovery of the young vine plots, and the ways that we can farm them individually to get the best site expression possible. It is a winemaker’s dream to be able to truly understand and manage a vineyard acre by acre and spend an enormous amount of time out there with the vines,” Nick Gislason, Winemaker. 

 

One would not say that Screaming Eagle offers value versus price, but like Romanee-Conti it exists in another league. There is so little produced, with most of the production remaining in the US to be consumed domestically, that the global market clammers for whatever it can secure. Screaming Eagle is spectacular wine, a massive, fruit forward beast, with incredible dark fruits and power: it is a wonderful, special and breath-taking wine to drink.

Close

Wine Information

The Screaming Eagle is the world’s most spoken about cult wine. In 15 short years, the wine, produced in miniscule quantities in a shed in Oakville, has become a wine lover’s ultimate dream to taste. It is not just its rarity that makes this wine taste different to others. It is the charmingly refined style that makes Screaming Eagle so appealing, with its satiny tannins, vivid acidity and very sophisticated fruitiness. It is not a big blockbuster wine with overextraction. Instead it is an opulent and refined wine that not only drinks well when young but also has great ageing potential.


The terroir
Located at the foot of the Vaca Mountains in Oakville, the vineyard has a multilayered soil composition that is rich in iron. The well-draining volcanic rock mixes well with clay, ensuring the right balance of stress for the vines. The daily cooling fog influence helps the grapes to keep their freshness.
“I believe these red, volcanic soils produce some of the most compelling Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc-based wines in the world.” Andrew Erickson adds.

Philosophy in winemaking
“The goal is to bring out the terroir, and the natural qualities of the fruit. As I described, the natural freshness and elegance in wine are two defining features that I want to highlight, along with the richness and minerality.” Andrew Erickson states and adds: “Most of the work that takes place is done in the vineyard; getting the appropriate crop load, the right amount of sun on the fruit, and picking when the fruit is properly ripe, and not too ripe. In the winery we try to let the wines evolve naturally while taking great care to retain the fruit character in the wine. In the end, the vineyard should be what shows, and not the hand of the winemaker.” Erickson emphasises.

Historical backround
One of the most respected real estate brokers in Napa, Jean Philips had brokered deals for Bill Harlan, the Araujos, and the Dalla Valles, among others. When she stepped on to the Screaming Eagle property in the 1980s, she knew this was a magical place and that she had to have it. The rest is history. The new owner, Stanley Kroeknie, has invested heavily in site reconstruction, as well as in plantings and the team, which includes David Abreu as the vineyard consultant. 2009 will most likely be the last harvest to be vinified in the old facilities.

Close

Average Bottle Price

2023 2020 2015 2010 2005 2000
2 780€ -38.1% 4 490€ +37.7% 3 260€ +48.9% 2 190€ +42.2% 1 540€ +123.2% 690€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Deep, Ruby red and Bright

ending

Long, Extensive and Spicy

flavors

Blackcurrant and Mint

nose

Youthful, Complex, Pure and Refined

recommend

Yes

taste

Warming, Medium tannin, Perfectly balanced, Well-Integrated, Developing, Full-bodied, Round, Firm, Elegant, Medium-Dry and Silky tannins

Verdict

Transparent and Intelligent

Written Notes

Seamless and supple, this wine had everyone fooled when it was served blind at a Petrus dinner. Most people were guessing different vintages of Petrus. Not one sign of over-ripeness or jammy flavors here despite the warm vintage. Elegant, subtle, generous and very long on the finish. Simple gorgeous.

  • 100p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Oakville, Napa Valley
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register