2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The flagship 2018 Screaming Eagle shows a more medium to full-bodied, elegant style with plenty of underlying structure. Perfumed blue fruit, rose petal, wild strawberry, and graphite notes all define the bouquet, and it shows the pure, focused, structured side of the vintage nicely. All about class and elegance, this balanced beauty needs to be forgotten for at least 4-5 years and should evolve for 2-3 decades.

The 2018 Screaming Eagle is fabulous. Cabernet Sauvignon is so expressive today. Crème de cassis, lavender and spice open first, followed by sage, lavender, rose petal and a whole range of more floral and savory notes that convey freshness as well as energy. A wine of total class and sophistication, the 2018 is a knock-out from the very first taste. There is an exoticism that I find especially alluring.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Screaming Eagle soars out of the glass with vibrant notions of ripe blackberries, black cherries and fresh red and black currants plus wafts of licorice, candied violets, cedar chest and clove oil with a beguiling touch of sea spray. Medium-bodied with jaw-dropping elegance, the palate is finely textured and yet built like a brick house with a super taut backbone and exquisitely knit acidity. The intense black and red fruit flavors are accented by layers of mineral and floral notions, finishing with incredible length and depth. Undeniably stunning.