2010 Second Flight

Screaming Eagle's 2010 Second Flight opens with exquisite aromatics that are the hallmarks of this superb Oakville estate. Sweet red berries, mint, raspberries, violets and lavender emerge from the glass in a silky, polished wine that is all about grace. Even though Cabernet Sauvignon plays a greater role in the 2010 than the 2011, the 2010 is incredibly sweet, refined and polished. In 2010 Second Flight is power and finesse. The 2010 is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc.

The impressive 2010 Second Flight is composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of black currants, forest floor, bouquet garni and licorice. Medium to full-bodied with surprising richness and density as well as sweet tannin, this serious wine can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. ||Under the ownership of Stan Kroenke, this vineyard has been replanted and a new cellar has been constructed. The production of Screaming Eagle has remained between 700-1,000 cases, and a second wine, the Second Flight, includes 520-800 cases. The introduction of a second wine is an attempt to keep Screaming Eagle at its mythical level of quality. This vineyard, situated on the valley floor at the Oakville Crossroads across the road from the Rudd Estate, encompasses 60 acres, but only a small percentage is used for these two cuvees. Based on the three vintages I tasted, it appears the Second Flight wines include much less Cabernet Sauvignon and more Merlot than the flagship Screaming Eagle.

Deep ruby. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of blackberry, minerals, graphite, bitter chocolate and licorice. Lush, broad and silky-smooth, with enticing sweetness and terrific verve to the black fruit flavors. Finishes very long, with serious tannic spine and subtle sweetness. This wine is built from the bottom up, beginning with the estate's merlot and cabernet franc, notes winemaker Nick Gislason. "The ranch is 60% cabernet sauvignon by acreage, so that leaves the question of what to do with the merlot and franc." Interestingly, estate manager Armand de Maigret noted that "so far we have been happier with our merlot on gravel, near the Silverado Trail, rather than on clay-rich soils toward the river."