Screaming Eagle
Second Flight Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
The somewhat lesser known “second” wine of Screaming Eagle is actually a much different wine than its big brother as it includes a lot more Merlot in the blend. In fact, the 2011 vintage contained more Merlot (54%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) with the balance covered by Cabernet Franc. However, they still spare no expense in making the wine the very best it can be and, despite being known as the second wine, it’s actually more limited in production than Screagle. This particular bottle was shared by a very generous friend and decanted about 30 minutes before service.
The 2011 Second Flight pours a dark garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with pronounced pyrazines imparting green bell pepper along with with tobacco, black bramble fruit, black currants, rich earth, crushed rock, semi-sweet chocolate, dried herbs, purple flowers, baking cocoa, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannins (which are very rich and very fine) and medium+ acid. The wine finishes forever long with tobacco, dark fruits, earth, nutmeg other baking spices. I have to admit, this was a killer bottle and probably the best 2011’s I’ve yet to enjoy from Napa. Whoa.
The somewhat lesser known “second” wine of Screaming Eagle is actually a much different wine than its big brother as it includes a lot more Merlot in the blend. In fact, the 2011 vintage contained more Merlot (54%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) with the balance covered by Cabernet Franc. However, they still spare no expense in making the wine the very best it can be and, despite being known as the second wine, it’s actually more limited in production than Screagle. This particular bottle was shared by a very generous friend and decanted about 30 minutes before service.
The 2011 Second Flight pours a dark garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with pronounced pyrazines imparting green bell pepper along with with tobacco, black bramble fruit, black currants, rich earth, crushed rock, semi-sweet chocolate, dried herbs, purple flowers, baking cocoa, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannins (which are very rich and very fine) and medium+ acid. The wine finishes forever long with tobacco, dark fruits, earth, nutmeg other baking spices. I have to admit, this was a killer bottle and probably the best 2011’s I’ve yet to enjoy from Napa. Whoa.
Had a fun blind tasting with a few of my WNH friends @Kirk Alexander!
This won as the Cab of the night but it felt perhaps slightly over extracted???bold fruit but definitely not as seamlessly integrated as it’s big brother
Had a fun blind tasting with a few of my WNH friends @Kirk Alexander!
This won as the Cab of the night but it felt perhaps slightly over extracted???bold fruit but definitely not as seamlessly integrated as it’s big brother
2011 Screaming Eagle Second Flight. Cassis topped with dark chocolate.
2011 Screaming Eagle Second Flight. Cassis topped with dark chocolate.
1 person found it helpfulNov 11th, 2014
10-20-2023 with Cheryl in NYC at Wolfgang’s steakhouse
10-20-2023 with Cheryl in NYC at Wolfgang’s steakhouse
Oct 20th, 2023
Very special friends shared this bottle with me. Right away on the nose, there is dark chocolate, black currant, green bell peppers and tobacco. On the palate, everything on the nose is confirmed. The wine is medium plus acid and tannin with a really long finish. The fruit is ripe and the mouthfeel is velvety smooth.
Very special friends shared this bottle with me. Right away on the nose, there is dark chocolate, black currant, green bell peppers and tobacco. On the palate, everything on the nose is confirmed. The wine is medium plus acid and tannin with a really long finish. The fruit is ripe and the mouthfeel is velvety smooth.
Dec 4th, 2022
Silky Merlot. Best to drink a bit chilled.
Silky Merlot. Best to drink a bit chilled.
Jun 2nd, 2016