Screaming Eagle
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Screaming Eagle
Order Screaming Eagle »
Top Vintages Produced: |
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
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Varieties: |
Cabernet Sauvignon takes up the majority of the plantings, with small numbers of Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines.
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Wines Produced: |
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Merlot (5%).
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History
Screaming Eagle is one of Napa Valley’s most famous ‘cult wines’. The winery’s fairly recent history began
in 1986 when Jean Phillips, a former real estate agent, and Tony Bowden purchased the property. Initially Phillips
sold off all of the fruit to other Napa Valley wineries. In time, Philips began toying with the idea of producing
her own wine and sought advice about its commercial viability from winemaker Richard Peterson. The prospects
looked good and, after employing Peterson’s daughter, Heidi Peterson Barrett as winemaker, Phillips held back
a single acre of grapes to create the acclaimed debut vintage in 1992.
The ensuing score of 99-points from Robert Parker ensured that global success soon followed. Only 175 cases of
the 1992 vintage were released by Phillips and her team and, even today, only 500-700 cases are produced each year.
A number of factors contribute to the scarcity of the wine: the small total amount of acres under vine, the
size-restrictions of the physical winery and barrel-ageing cave and the need to keep quality at a premium (Phillips
did not even release the 2000 vintage, deeming it not up to the winery’s standards). (read more)
In 2006, Phillips sold the estate to Charles Banks and Stanley Kroenke who embarked on an ongoing replanting
strategy in order to increase production levels. Over recent vintages, the winemaking team has included winemaker
Andy Erickson and viticulturist David Abreu who have continued to produce wines in accordance with Phillips’ high
quality standards.
As California’s single most coveted wine, a bottle of Screaming Eagle is notoriously difficult to come by. It is
only sold via a select mailing list (with a limit of three bottles per client) and to a handful of high-end restaurants.
Viticulture and Vinification
Located just below the Dalla Valle vineyard, the 60 acre vineyard was planted with predominately white
varieties when Phillips and Bowden first acquired it. Over time, these vines have been replaced with Cabernet
Sauvignon and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The rocky soil, Californian heat and afternoon breezes
perfectly suit these red varieties and, in particular, Cabernet Sauvignon which is able to fully ripen under such
circumstances.
The concentrated fruit is hand-harvested and subsequently matured in partially new oak barrels, giving a deep but
well-balanced structure to the rich and intense wine. Screaming Eagle wines exhibit a wonderful degree of elegance
and refinement and they can age for many years.
Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon takes up the majority of the plantings, with small numbers of Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines.
Wines produced:
- Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon – 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot.
Order top vintages of Screaming Eagle
- Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2002: (99 RP)
"This wine is beautifully voluptuous, full-bodied, yet incredibly elegant..." – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
- Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1997: (100 RP)
"This full-bodied, multi-dimensional classic is fabulous, with extraordinary purity..." – Robert Parker,
The Wine Advocate
- Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992: (99 RP)
"One of the greatest young Cabernets I have ever tasted...this is a spectacular debut release that should age effortlessly..." – Robert Parker,
The Wine Advocate
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Not seeing the specific wine or vintage you’re looking for?
The wines displayed here only represent a small portion of our total inventory.
To check our complete stockholdings, please contact
us via email or call us on +44 (0) 20 3219 5588.
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