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94 Robert Parker
The 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon is performing even better this year than it was last. I still believe the 1995 has a slight edge, but that may be more noticeable 8-10 years from now than at present. The opaque purple-colored 1994's forward, gorgeously-scented nose offers up a smorgasbord of black fruits, along with a subtle dosage of toasty oak and minerals. Full-bodied, with a seamless, lush texture, this is a profoundly generous wine with everything going for it. The finish lasts for 35 seconds. As gorgeous as it is, this wine can be drunk young, or cellared for 20-25 years. What makes Screaming Eagle such an extraordinary wine is its remarkably sweet, lavishly rich, opulently-textured, super-extracted black currant and black cherry fruitiness. Moreover, they are admirably pure, layered, velvety, and accessible. As delicious as these wines are young, they should age for 20 or more years, because of their extraordinary equilibrium.
Producer
Screaming Eagle Winery
Hands down, the most renowned California cult wine that has ever been produced...so far. It all started from modest beginnings when Jean Philips a former real estate agent bought a 57 acre Oakville vineyard in 1986. She sold off all the grapes to other wineries apart from one 1-acre plot (0.40 ha) of Cabernet Sauvignon from which she wanted to make her own wine. Heidi Peterson Barret became winemaker and the 1992, the first commercial vintage, was released in 1996. It was reviewed immediately by Robert Parker who bestowed it with an incredible 99 points, describing it as "one of the greatest young Cabernets I have ever tasted." After this the Eagle took flight. She replanted her vineyards that same year (1995) to 3 varieties in order to produce a whopping 500 cases per vintage (which has increased to 600-700 since). Today, it still remains the most expensive California red wine on the secondary market. Despite the extroverted styles of other California cult wines, Screaming Eagle remains one of the most elegant and balanced. In 2006, it was purchased by Charles Banks and Stan Kroenke, who then hired Michel Rolland as consultant. Charles sold his shares in 2009 making Stan the sole owner.