At a glance

Producer

Screaming Eagle

Region

Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$2,500 - $15,000+ per bottle (primary and secondary market, depending on vintage)

Tasting profile

Dense cassis, blackberry, violets, cedar, graphite, sweet oak, espresso, subtle earth. Powerful yet refined.

Evolution: Develops truffle, tobacco leaf, leather, dried herb and forest floor with age.

At peak: Sublime integration of fruit, oak, and minerality. Silky texture with immense length and complexity.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-plus, balanced

Tannins

Firm, polished, high-quality

Alcohol

High (typically 14–15.5%)

Aging potential

Exceptional; easily 20–30 years in top cellaring conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2029

Optimal window

2026 to 2031

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Recent vintages (2015 onward) are youthful, structured, developing secondary complexity. Older vintages (1990s–2005) can show optimal maturity, with tertiary notes.

Due to meticulous winemaking, low yields, and top terroir, Screaming Eagle's Cabernet Sauvignon has a long, consistent peak, with the best bottles remaining outstanding for decades under proper storage.

Food pairing

Best with simply grilled prime beef, roast lamb, aged hard cheeses, or porcini/black truffle risotto.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Adopts some sustainable farming principles (cover crops, minimal intervention, reduced synthetic use); no formal publicized environmental program. Winery has engaged in habitat restoration for its estate creek. Packaging is premium, heavy glass with wood cases, which increases environmental impact.

Though Screaming Eagle utilizes some sustainable farming practices and limited intervention, it does not pursue official environmental certifications and utilizes heavy packaging. The small production and global demand lead to a disproportionately high carbon footprint per bottle (air shipping, collector market). Overall, its sustainability level is middling for Napa Valley icons, lagging behind estates with formal certifications or aggressive green initiatives.