Screaming Eagle
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
In an evening of pleasant surprises, this may have been the biggest of them all. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been, but looking at the lineup of legends, can one blame me? Screaming Eagle is one of those wines you read about but rarely see, let alone get an opportunity to drink. An expensive, cult Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville? Hardly original these days (though it could be argued that Screaming Eagle was the OG for the “category”). But, this was not some anonymous OTT Napa Cab. This was a brilliant, impeccably balanced, varietally correct expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville and perhaps, one of the best I’ve ever had.
The 1997 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still) and utterly brilliant with perfectly wisened black currants, brambles, dried leaf, tobacco, Poblano pepper, purple flowers, salmiakki, a lovely mix of cool and warm spices and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, silky and punctuated with pleasant minerals. Looking at the label and seeing 13.8% ABV brings a smile to my face. This wine has remarkable confidence. To say I’m impressed would be a gross understatement. I’m smitten. Drink now with some air and enjoy through 2047+.
In an evening of pleasant surprises, this may have been the biggest of them all. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been, but looking at the lineup of legends, can one blame me? Screaming Eagle is one of those wines you read about but rarely see, let alone get an opportunity to drink. An expensive, cult Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville? Hardly original these days (though it could be argued that Screaming Eagle was the OG for the “category”). But, this was not some anonymous OTT Napa Cab. This was a brilliant, impeccably balanced, varietally correct expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville and perhaps, one of the best I’ve ever had.
The 1997 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still) and utterly brilliant with perfectly wisened black currants, brambles, dried leaf, tobacco, Poblano pepper, purple flowers, salmiakki, a lovely mix of cool and warm spices and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, silky and punctuated with pleasant minerals. Looking at the label and seeing 13.8% ABV brings a smile to my face. This wine has remarkable confidence. To say I’m impressed would be a gross understatement. I’m smitten. Drink now with some air and enjoy through 2047+.
A very nice east side valley floor Cab. Don’t see a huge future.
A very nice east side valley floor Cab. Don’t see a huge future.
Nov 3rd, 2018
Happy to see our software got this right on the first try 😊. Drank these yesterday while watching the games. The 1997 is a famous wine that deserves its fame. Still young. Wow. The 2006 was a powerhouse at first but much more elegant today, when I finished the leftovers at lunch 🤪. The rating is for the 1997 🇺🇸🏈💥😍.
Happy to see our software got this right on the first try 😊. Drank these yesterday while watching the games. The 1997 is a famous wine that deserves its fame. Still young. Wow. The 2006 was a powerhouse at first but much more elegant today, when I finished the leftovers at lunch 🤪. The rating is for the 1997 🇺🇸🏈💥😍.
1 person found it helpfulJan 18th, 2021I wish I was drink this!!!
I wish I was drink this!!!
Sep 12th, 2013
1997 Screaming Eagle. Dinner at Dear J’s. Decanted and drank in short order. Feels like it’s peaked. Mellow fruit, soft tannins. Drink now.
1997 Screaming Eagle. Dinner at Dear J’s. Decanted and drank in short order. Feels like it’s peaked. Mellow fruit, soft tannins. Drink now.
Jul 14th, 20211997 Screaming Eagle. Dinner w McC and K at Il P. Didn’t decant. It was stunning. K has never had it before. Such a treat.
1997 Screaming Eagle. Dinner w McC and K at Il P. Didn’t decant. It was stunning. K has never had it before. Such a treat.
Dec 22nd, 2017
Mike Mighetto had this 10 years ago
Mike Mighetto had this 10 years ago
Oct 5th, 2016