Screaming Eagle*

HISTORY:

Screaming Eagle is one of Napa Valley’s most famous ‘cult wines’. The winery’s fairly recent history began in 1986 when Jean Phillips, a former real estate agent, and Tony Bowden purchased the property. Initially Phillips sold off all of the fruit to other Napa Valley wineries. In time, Philips began toying with the idea of producing her own wine and sought advice about its commercial viability from winemaker Richard Peterson. The prospects looked good and, after employing Peterson’s daughter, Heidi Peterson Barrett as winemaker, Phillips held back a single acre of grapes to create the acclaimed debut vintage in 1992.

The ensuing score of 99-points from Robert Parker ensured that global success soon followed. Only 175 cases of the 1992 vintage were released by Phillips and her team and, even today, only 500-700 cases are produced each year. A number of factors contribute to the scarcity of the wine: the small total amount of acres under vine, the size-restrictions of the physical winery and barrel-ageing cave and the need to keep quality at a premium (Phillips did not even release the 2000 vintage, deeming it not up to the winery’s standards). 

GRAPE VARIETIES: 

90% Cabernet Sauvignon

5% Merlot

5% Cabernet Franc

SKU: 

G1009

TOP VINTAGES PRODUCED:

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

* Wine & vintages upon request