I was able to attend a 3-day private event in Napa, co-organized by a company together with the Wine Advocate. There were winery visits, dinners, lunches and a 2007 Napa Masterclass guided by Robert Parker and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. A really fantastic few days with great learning opportunity. Robert Parker was, as always, his down to earth, friendly self, spending lots of time talking with participants. I really adore him for not having become even a bit aloof after all the fame and accolades. Like his ratings or not, but that is classy!
You will notice from my scores that I have not given a 100 points to any wines despite having consumed the peak of Napa during this event. I find the Napa CabSav aromatically a touch below the 3 digit score. Also, some of them are too “sweet” for my palate . However, they are very consistent vintage in and vintage out, much more so than Bordeaux. I am of course nit picking here, but that is just my taste. So, feel free to mentally add 2-3 points per wine if you are a fan of riper/richer CabSav style.
The Screaming Eagle Masterclass was at 1000h in the morning so everyone came with a fresh palate. After tasting through the wines, the overall mood in the room can best be described as underwhelmed.
Tasting Notes – Reds
2006 Screaming Eagle Second Flight, 94 Points
Screaming Eagle is typically made of 80/15/5 Cab/Merl/Franc, the second flight wine has more Merlot with a mix of 45/45/10. As for the 2006, the wine maker noted that 2006 was a warmer vintage. TN: Reductive nose with some dark berries, cassis. Silky mouth feel, mid weight, reminds me stylistically of Chateau Canon. Medium length, lacking a bit of complexity for a higher score.
2006 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, 96 Points
Lots of cassis in the nose, rum pot, cherry. Medium bodied, silky mouth feel, ripe but elegant and fresh at the same time. Medium+ aromatic complexity, I am missing additional aromas beyond dark fruit.
PS: After I tasted through 5 red wines from this estate in the last two days I would describe the house style as follows: 1. Hallmark is its freshness and silky tannins. These wines are not Napa bruisers. 2. Quality is good but it remains a mystery to me why this has become the cult wine among all Napa cult wines
2011 Screaming Eagle Second Flight, 94 Points
Elegant and cool notes of blue fruit, pine, eucalyptus. Lighter than the 06 next to it on the palate, same level of quality but different style. Aromas are very primary still. Wait a few more years before drinking this.
PS: After I tasted through 5 red wines from this estate in the last two days I would describe the house style as follows: 1. Hallmark is its freshness and silky tannins. These wines are not Napa bruisers. 2. Quality is good but it remains a mystery to me why this has become the cult wine among all Napa cult wines
2011 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 Points
Cool aromas also here around blue fruit, cassis, eucalyptus. Enters the palate with silky tannins, very fine, the wine remains light. Aromatically this wine came across as a bit foursquare for me. May be age will make it more complex. Wait 95+
After I tasted through the red wines from this estate in the last two days I would describe the house style as follows: 1. Hallmark is its freshness and silky tannins. These wines are not Napa bruisers. 2. Quality is good but it remains a mystery to me why this has become the cult wine among all Napa cult wines as they are aromatically not really special.
Tasting Notes- Whites
2014 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc, 90 Points
Here we go, the super rare Sauvignon Blanc that sells for 3000+ USD in the market. So, how does it taste? Look at the score and ask yourself how much money you need to shell out to replicate a 90-Point SauvBlanc experience. To me this tastes like any well-made mid-tier Sauv Blanc that you can pick up from New Zealand or Loire. Citrus, a touch of grass. This is nowhere near a Haut Brion Blanc, Silex, Eisele, etc., but hey, it’s a free world.
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
November 2016