Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lots of crushed berries, such as raspberries and blackberries, with spearmint and crushed stone, as well as redcurrants. Full-bodied with regal tannins that build on the palate as you taste it and flow over like a gentle waterfall. Such a beautiful, subtle and graceful texture.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The Grand Vin 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is reminiscent of the 2016, and possibly the 2014, with its beautiful balance, purity, and straight-up class. Offering remarkable purity in its crème de cassis, wildflower, spice, lead pencil, and tobacco-like aromas and flavors, it’s medium to full-bodied, has flawless balance, and building, silky tannins. It’s a thrillingly complete, classic Screaming Eagle that won’t hit maturity for another 7-8 years and I suspect will have 40 to 50 years of overall longevity.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.