Screaming Eagle 2017 1.5L Magnum

If any wine exemplifies the California Cult wine phenomena, it’s Screaming Eagle, which made its auspicious debut with their 1992 vintage. Within two short years, the wine quickly shot to the top of the hot must-have collectible charts driving collectors into a frenzy and creating a phenomena that had enthusiasts tripping over each other to obtain. This majestic wine continues to drive commanding prices. Allocating this wine is like grasping oil with your hands.

This luxury liquid is rarely tasted outside the winery, as much of the wine goes to collectors whom are more likely to sell their allocation than drink it; however, those who have had the unique opportunity are overwhelmed with its upfront elegance. This flagship Screaming Eagle, being very age worthy, is more classic Bordeaux than modern Napa, yet, still with the perfumed nose and mineral line that speaks of Oakville.  Screaming Eagle isn’t about power, but rather elegance, refined and pure, with a rich, silky, velvety texture. Though scarce and nearly mythical, if the wine somehow lands in a lucky individual’s hands and is willing to uncork the bottle, they would be taken on a flight to ecstasy and back.

The smallest production for Screaming Eagle in any vintage, the 2017 is a true achievement for them. So small, it has only been released in magnums, and just 600 mags were produced! Screaming Eagle is always super limited around the globe, but this takes it to a whole new level - this is true collectors centerpiece.

99 Points - James Suckling    A very vertical wine with creamy, silky tannins running through the center of the wine and plenty of berries, herbs and currants intertwined with the tannins. Some tile and licorice undertones. It's medium-to full-bodied. Excellent complexity. Extremely long. Svelte and racy. Drink after 2025. Only 600 magnums made.

96+ Points - Vinous    The 2017 Screaming Eagle is a deeply intriguing, fascinating wine, as it represents just a small portion of the harvest in that only pre-fire lots were used here (and in The Flight). As a result, the 2017 is unusually bright and tightly wound, with a decidedly savory, mineral-infused, old school-leaning personality. I won't be surprised if the 2017 turns out to be even better than this note suggests, although I also don't expect I will taste it too often given that the entire production was bottled in magnum.

96 Points - Wine Spectator    The team at Screaming Eagle first declared that they wouldn’t be releasing their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon in 2017, yet they were able to make a draconian selection, so there’s a minuscule amount of the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon scheduled to be released only in magnums. It’s unquestionably a beautiful wine and has the classic elegance and regal quality this cuvée always shows as well as pure aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, acacia flowers, and subtle background oak. With medium to full body, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and great tannin quality, it’s going to be accessible with short-term cellaring and, given the magnum-only format, evolve at a glacier pace.