Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2007

Overview of the Wine
Screaming Eagle is one of Napa Valley's smallest wineries. The little stone winery is perched on a rocky hillside in the Oakville Appellation overlooking the vineyard planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 65% new French oak barrels for almost two years. Annual production is approximately 500 cases with most wine sold directly to consumers via a mailing list. The winery's first release was approximately 200 cases of the 1992 vintage.

To understand the wines made by The Hilt, one might need to come visit the hard and harsh conditions under which they are born. The unobstructed, ocean facing east-west valley known as Sta. Rita Hills Valley is a complex AVA. One could divide it into four quadrants: northern-facing, southern-facing, close to the ocean, and further inland from the ocean. With such a frame, The Hilt’s favorite vineyards are in the northern-facing, closest to the ocean, windswept quadrant. These sites are the worst place for a grape grower, but the best ones for a winemaker. Rancho Salsipuedes, where The Hilt wines make their home, provides vineyards planted on land nearly 13 unobstructed miles from the ocean on the west. This unique, large and sprawling property offers a range of altitudes, aspects, soil types, and microclimates, giving winemaker Matt Dees a patchwork of vineyard parcels from which to select grapes and create wines with distinctive styles.

Diverse though it may be, Salsipuedes possesses some aspects that remain consistent: the land has poor soils that force vines to dig deep; there are powerful, whipping winds and a cold maritime climate that allow grapes on the property to ripen slowly and retain acidity despite the warm daytime sun; and the vines on the property are low in vigor, allowing them to produce low yields of concentrated, complex grapes. It is with these three important components – poor soils, whipping winds and a cool maritime climate along with low vigor vines – that Salsipuedes defines itself in the Sta. Rita Hills.

Grape / Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc

Origin
Oakville, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Aromatically, the wine shows very pretty, bright tones of cherry, raspberry and blueberry, along with cinnamon bark, spiced tea and vanilla. At entry the wine is soft and full-bodied, and the palate shows a continuity of texture from start to finish. Flavors of warm blueberries and fresh cranberries, a hint of aniseed and a base note of cocoa all meld together in an integrated finish which displays the texture of heavy satin.

To slight pleasant surprise, it maintains a vibrant youthfulness despite the passage of time, marking it as one that continues to possess longevity; a desirable trait akin to a treasure trove for discerning wine investors. The 2007 Screaming Eagle unmistakably underscores its own entrancing identity within the grand library of Screaming Eagle vintages.

100 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As impossible as it might seem, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon takes things to another level. An exquisite, celestial bouquet melds into endless layers of fruit as this rich, voluptuous wine blossoms on the palate. Full-bodied and seductive, the 2007 conquers all of the senses with its head spinning, beautiful personality. As always, Screaming Eagle is a bit more restrained next to Napa Valley’s other heavy hitters, yet the pedigree of this opulent vintage comes through in spades. A kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors flows through to the creamy, textured finish.

100 Points - Vinous
What a treat it is to taste the 2007 Screaming Eagle. As exquisite as it has always been, the 2007 captivates all the senses with its exotic bouquet, resonant fruit and silky, generous finish. There is plenty of vintage 2007 showiness, yet the wine needs time in the glass to fully open up and reveal the full breadth of its stunning beauty. At once light on its feet yet rich and expressive, the 2007 Screaming Eagle shows why this Oakville sight is so revered. Pomegranate, sweet red cherries, roses and lavender are some of the many notes that are woven into the utterly exquisite finish. Readers who have an opportunity to taste the 2007 should not hesitate, as it is simply mind-blowing.

98 Points - Wine Spectator
A supple, sophisticated, elegant and stylish wine that wows you with purity, finesse and understated nuances. Full-bodied, with a core of red and black cherry, currant, mineral and sage, ending with a long, layered, persistent, graceful finish, all in a style that distinguishes itself from most Napa Cabernets. Drink now through 2024.

96 Points - James Suckling
Wow, love or loath the style, this is full throttle on the nose and palate with pure fruit and raspberry jam. Black currants and blueberries. Full and flamboyant but then holds back with gorgeous berries and milk chocolate. Wonderful length. Fascinating.

Product size: 750ml