Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 2018

“Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Screaming Eagle soars out of the glass with vibrant notions of ripe blackberries, black cherries and fresh red and black currants plus wafts of licorice, candied violets, cedar chest and clove oil with a beguiling touch of sea spray. Medium-bodied with jaw-dropping elegance, the palate is finely textured and yet built like a brick house with a super taut backbone and exquisitely knit acidity. The intense black and red fruit flavors are accented by layers of mineral and floral notions, finishing with incredible length and depth. Undeniably stunning.”

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has 15% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes galloping out of the glass with notes of blackberry pie, stewed cherries, and creme de cassis plus wafts of wild sage, cedar chest, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with bright, intense black fruit flavors framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. Wow!”

“Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. A very intense, black berry aroma streams from the glass. Cabernet concentrate of cassis, liquorice, lavender oil, ethereal and floral at the same time, very suggestive nose, supported by fine oak, fresh red fruits like cherries and salty minerality. Full-bodied, but not exuberant, powerful yet elegant, carried by ripe tannins and driven by a racy acid core, a hedonistic wine of enormous length and incalculable potential.”

“The aromas in this wine reflect wonderfully ripe cabernet, when the fruit tastes of near-perfect ripeness, Currants and flowers, such as roses, together with green strawberries and black licorice. Full-bodied with fine-velvet tannins and an ultra-long finish. Layered and beautiful. Finely tailored. Drink after 2027, but so gorgeous now.”

“The flagship 2018 Screaming Eagle shows a more medium to full-bodied, elegant style with plenty of underlying structure. Perfumed blue fruit, rose petal, wild strawberry, and graphite notes all define the bouquet, and it shows the pure, focused, structured side of the vintage nicely. All about class and elegance, this balanced beauty needs to be forgotten for at least 4-5 years and should evolve for 2-3 decades.”