2015 Second Flight

Very deep purple-black, the 2015 The Flight (a blend of 61% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon) opens with electric notes of black and blue fruit sparks—wild blueberries, fresh blackberries and crushed black plums—with nuances of lavender, violets, pencil shavings, tilled soil, yeast extract and a waft of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, it hits the palate with tons of energy and freshness supported by firm, finely grained tannins, finishing with tons of fragrant earth layers.

The 2015 The Flight, Screaming Eagle's Merlot-based wine, is terrific. Powerful, deep and explosive, the 2015 is endowed with serious richness and intensity in all of its dimensions. The 2015 is an especially dark, somber wine. As often happens with young Merlot-based wines, The Flight appears to be going through a somewhat closed phase at the moment. That won't be an issue once the wine has a bit more time to come together. Time in the glass brings out hints of lavender, gravel, red cherry, mocha and espresso. The 2015 is going to be fascinating to follow for the next several decades.