2021 Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA

The aromas of the 2021 Screaming Eagle are so precise and beautifully compact, giving a refined sense of finesse through savoury incense and dried spearmint intermixed with pure black fruit and graphite notes. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine opens up to an expansive mouthfeel with perfect concentration and depth of flavours, exuding black currants, just-picked blackberry, and Bing cherry, with a foundation of ironstone minerality. Palate etching tannins are multi-dimensional. It is a serious wine with tension, remarkable grip, intensity, and a firm spine of zesty acidity that brightens the lengthy finish. Perfectly balanced and expressive and even a bit savage.

Drink 2027 - 2055

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most brooding, explosive young wines I have ever tasted here. The natural concentration of this drought vintage comes through loud and clear. Huge, youthful tannins reinforce the wine’s potent feel. Waves of graphite, leather, liquorice, grilled herbs and lavender saturate the palate, perfectly playing off a core of intense dark fruit. I usually have no issue drinking these wines on the younger side, but the 2021 really does need time.

The 2021s from Screaming Eagle are every bit as superb today as they were when I tasted them from barrel just prior to bottling. The wines show all the natural intensity of a vintage marked by drought and small berries. Harvest took place from September 24 to 29 for the Merlot, October 6 to 18 for the Cabernet Sauvignon and October 12 to 18 for the Cabernet Franc. The 2021s spent about three weeks on the skins, including a week of cold soak. They are among the most potent young wines I have tasted here in some time.

Drink 2029 - 2046

The aromatics on this are stunning, offering black cherries, blackcurrants, lead pencil, spearmint, Spanish cedar and wild roses. It’s medium-bodied and starts slowly on the palate and then takes off with muscular tension. Nicely chewy, toned and firm. Goes on for minutes. Flexing and showing its propensity for longevity. Rock on.

Best after 2028 and beyond

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc.

Tasted blind. Blackish garnet. Some graphite on the nose. Rather simple and direct with crunchy tannins on the end. Not yet ready. Rather bordelais. Frank, but not yet very interesting. Backward. Dry finish but quite sophisticated.

Drink 2027 - 2040

As with the Flight, I could taste through multiple barrels destined for the 2021 Screaming Eagle. Pure cassis and assorted dark fruits, some classic graphite and lead pencil notes, and a beautiful sense of minerality were present in all of the barrels, and this will be medium to the full-bodied, elegant expression of Screaming Eagle. I wouldn't expect too many fireworks right on release although it will offer pleasure), but it should hit its stride about 7-8 years after release and have a long life.