Screaming Eagle 'The Flight' 2020
This red wine originates from the United States, specifically from the Oakville appellation within California's Napa Valley. Screaming Eagle, founded in 1986 by Jean Phillips and now owned by Stanley Kroenke, is one of the world's most iconic 'cult' wineries, known for its extreme exclusivity and precision. While the flagship estate wine is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, 'The Flight' (formerly 'Second Flight') was introduced in 2012 as a Merlot-focused expression of the estate's younger vines and distinct Oakville terroir. Winemaker Nick Gislason oversees a philosophy rooted in 'energy' and elegance, utilizing meticulous vineyard management and small-lot fermentation to craft wines of remarkable depth.
Wine Description
Screaming Eagle The Flight 2020 presents a deep garnet-purple or dark ruby colour. The nose is extraordinarily perfumed and aromatic, leading with violets, lavender, and crushed flowers layered with wild herbs, graphite, and cedarwood spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied and refined, featuring a 'crunchy' energy and purity of red berry fruit—redolent of cranberry, raspberry, and mulberry—alongside dark cherry and blackberry preserves. It is characterized by its silkier texture and tantalizing acidity compared to the flagship, with fine-grained tannins and a mineral core that opens into notes of blood orange, star anise, and spearmint. The finish is long, polished, and sanguine, often revealing hints of black truffle. This blend consists of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an ABV of 14.7%. The wine is not certified organic, though the estate is farmed with meticulous care. The optimal drinking window is from 2024 through 2050.
Accolades
-
James Suckling - 98 points.
-
Decanter - 98 points.
-
The Wine Independent - 95 points.
-
Vinous - 94 points.
Food Pairing
The graceful structure and vibrant acidity of this Merlot-dominant blend make it an exceptional partner for high-quality meat and earthy vegetarian dishes. It pairs perfectly with roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary and thyme, or a lean beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction. Its complex aromatic profile and mineral undertones also complement creamy mushroom risotto, braised duck, or eggplant parmesan. For a cheese course, consider serving it with aged Gouda or a mild blue cheese.
Vintage Quality
The 2020 vintage in Napa Valley was defined by extreme heatwaves and devastating wildfires, which led many producers to abandon their crops due to smoke taint. However, the early-ripening nature of the season favoured producers like Screaming Eagle who harvested early, successfully capturing small yields of intensely concentrated fruit before the most severe fire events. The winemaker's skill in this challenging year resulted in a wine that manages to be 'bright and airy' despite the hot growing conditions.
This red wine originates from the United States, specifically from the Oakville appellation within California's Napa Valley. Screaming Eagle, founded in 1986 by Jean Phillips and now owned by Stanley Kroenke, is one of the world's most iconic 'cult' wineries, known for its extreme exclusivity and precision. While the flagship estate wine is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, 'The Flight' (formerly 'Second Flight') was introduced in 2012 as a Merlot-focused expression of the estate's younger vines and distinct Oakville terroir. Winemaker Nick Gislason oversees a philosophy rooted in 'energy' and elegance, utilizing meticulous vineyard management and small-lot fermentation to craft wines of remarkable depth.
Wine Description
Screaming Eagle The Flight 2020 presents a deep garnet-purple or dark ruby colour. The nose is extraordinarily perfumed and aromatic, leading with violets, lavender, and crushed flowers layered with wild herbs, graphite, and cedarwood spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied and refined, featuring a 'crunchy' energy and purity of red berry fruit—redolent of cranberry, raspberry, and mulberry—alongside dark cherry and blackberry preserves. It is characterized by its silkier texture and tantalizing acidity compared to the flagship, with fine-grained tannins and a mineral core that opens into notes of blood orange, star anise, and spearmint. The finish is long, polished, and sanguine, often revealing hints of black truffle. This blend consists of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an ABV of 14.7%. The wine is not certified organic, though the estate is farmed with meticulous care. The optimal drinking window is from 2024 through 2050.
Accolades
-
James Suckling - 98 points.
-
Decanter - 98 points.
-
The Wine Independent - 95 points.
-
Vinous - 94 points.
Food Pairing
The graceful structure and vibrant acidity of this Merlot-dominant blend make it an exceptional partner for high-quality meat and earthy vegetarian dishes. It pairs perfectly with roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary and thyme, or a lean beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction. Its complex aromatic profile and mineral undertones also complement creamy mushroom risotto, braised duck, or eggplant parmesan. For a cheese course, consider serving it with aged Gouda or a mild blue cheese.
Vintage Quality
The 2020 vintage in Napa Valley was defined by extreme heatwaves and devastating wildfires, which led many producers to abandon their crops due to smoke taint. However, the early-ripening nature of the season favoured producers like Screaming Eagle who harvested early, successfully capturing small yields of intensely concentrated fruit before the most severe fire events. The winemaker's skill in this challenging year resulted in a wine that manages to be 'bright and airy' despite the hot growing conditions.
Description
This red wine originates from the United States, specifically from the Oakville appellation within California's Napa Valley. Screaming Eagle, founded in 1986 by Jean Phillips and now owned by Stanley Kroenke, is one of the world's most iconic 'cult' wineries, known for its extreme exclusivity and precision. While the flagship estate wine is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, 'The Flight' (formerly 'Second Flight') was introduced in 2012 as a Merlot-focused expression of the estate's younger vines and distinct Oakville terroir. Winemaker Nick Gislason oversees a philosophy rooted in 'energy' and elegance, utilizing meticulous vineyard management and small-lot fermentation to craft wines of remarkable depth.
Wine Description
Screaming Eagle The Flight 2020 presents a deep garnet-purple or dark ruby colour. The nose is extraordinarily perfumed and aromatic, leading with violets, lavender, and crushed flowers layered with wild herbs, graphite, and cedarwood spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied and refined, featuring a 'crunchy' energy and purity of red berry fruit—redolent of cranberry, raspberry, and mulberry—alongside dark cherry and blackberry preserves. It is characterized by its silkier texture and tantalizing acidity compared to the flagship, with fine-grained tannins and a mineral core that opens into notes of blood orange, star anise, and spearmint. The finish is long, polished, and sanguine, often revealing hints of black truffle. This blend consists of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an ABV of 14.7%. The wine is not certified organic, though the estate is farmed with meticulous care. The optimal drinking window is from 2024 through 2050.
Accolades
-
James Suckling - 98 points.
-
Decanter - 98 points.
-
The Wine Independent - 95 points.
-
Vinous - 94 points.
Food Pairing
The graceful structure and vibrant acidity of this Merlot-dominant blend make it an exceptional partner for high-quality meat and earthy vegetarian dishes. It pairs perfectly with roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary and thyme, or a lean beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction. Its complex aromatic profile and mineral undertones also complement creamy mushroom risotto, braised duck, or eggplant parmesan. For a cheese course, consider serving it with aged Gouda or a mild blue cheese.
Vintage Quality
The 2020 vintage in Napa Valley was defined by extreme heatwaves and devastating wildfires, which led many producers to abandon their crops due to smoke taint. However, the early-ripening nature of the season favoured producers like Screaming Eagle who harvested early, successfully capturing small yields of intensely concentrated fruit before the most severe fire events. The winemaker's skill in this challenging year resulted in a wine that manages to be 'bright and airy' despite the hot growing conditions.
