2013 Screaming Eagle Vertical (1992-2004)

The 2013 Screaming Eagle remains a very young wine. Dark, brooding and quite potent, the 2013 possesses tremendous depth backed by equally serious tannins. Blackberry, graphite, lavender, mocha and dried herbs are some of the many nuances that gradually open in the glass. In most years, Screaming Eagle has a Lafite-like purity of fruit. The 2013 has plenty of that, but the tannin profile and somber feel remind me more of wines like Montrose or an imposing vintage of Mouton, like the 1986. Readers lucky enough to own the 2013 are in for a real treat, but I would not think of touching a bottle anytime soon, as it remains an infant. Two recent bottles were nothing short of spectacular.

The grand vin 2013 Screaming Eagle is pure perfection in a glass and has everything you could want from a wine. Possessing a Château Margaux-like perfume of crème de cassis, sandalwood, dried flowers/violets, and graphite, it’s full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, ultra-pure, and incredibly elegant, all of which is very much in the style of this iconic estate. There are plenty of tannins on the finish so this will ideally be given another 3-4 years of bottle age, but it should keep for 25-30 years.

Breathtaking aromas of blueberries, wet earth, black truffle, vine bark, and lavender undertones. Full-bodied, yet tight and compressed with fabulous savory and dark-fruit flavors. It lasts for minutes on the finish. The classicism in this wine is second to none. Incredible subtlety and a lovely austerity. Beauty in simplicity. Glorious to taste, yet a wine for decades ahead. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot, and 11% cabernet franc. 800 cases made.