At a glance

Producer

Screaming Eagle

Region

Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (primarily Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$850-$1300 USD / bottle (release and current global market)

Tasting profile

Black cherry, plum, graphite, violet, baking spice; subtle oak integration; expansive on palate with persistent finish

Evolution: Tertiary notes of truffle, tobacco, cedar, savory herb developing over next 5-10 years; fruit will mellow but retain vibrancy

At peak: Extraordinary balance of finesse and concentration; complex bouquet with layered texture and mineral length

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium+; sustaining freshness and extended evolution

Tannins

Silky yet firm, beautifully polished, with notable structure for aging

Alcohol

Moderate to high (typically 14-14.5% ABV)

Aging potential

15-20 years from vintage, subject to careful cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2023 to 2030

Optimal window

2022 to 2035

Current status

Likely entering an early plateau—drinkable now with significant cellaring potential

Current condition

Youthful but integrated—fruited, structured, with accessible tannins and fresh acid backbone

The 2015 The Flight is an exceptional second wine from Screaming Eagle, produced from prime young-vine Merlot lots and designed to provide approachability and elegance compared to the Grand Vin. 2015’s favorable Napa weather yielded ripe, pure fruit with refined structure. This wine is crafted for medium- to long-term aging while delivering pleasure in its first decade.

Food pairing

Roast duck, filet mignon, wild pheasant, truffle risotto, aged Comté, mushroom dishes—versatile with savory, delicate, or earthy cuisine

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has silky yet firm tannins and notable structure, which can benefit from aeration to enhance its flavors and aromas.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Estate employs low-intervention and selective hand-harvesting methods, mindful water usage, drip irrigation, and limited production; limited transparency on renewable energy or eco-packaging initiatives

Screaming Eagle is renowned for meticulous vineyard stewardship at a small scale, using practices akin to sustainable farming, yet does not hold third-party sustainability or organic certifications. Commitment to quality limits vineyard chemical use but does not guarantee full ecological transparency. High bottle weights, low volume, and luxury-driven global distribution contribute to a significant carbon footprint. No strong evidence of systematic energy, packaging, or carbon offset initiatives, thus while farming may be conscious, overall sustainability lags behind certified peers.