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2021 The Flight

Wine Details
Place of Origin

United States

Oakville

Napa

Color

Red

Grape/Blend

65% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc

Vintages
2021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006
Reviews & Tasting Notes

00

Drinking Window

2026 - 2041

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- By Author Name on Month Date, Year

These are two fabulous 2021s from Screaming Eagle and winemaker Nick Gislason. In some years Gislason is among the early pickers, but in 2021 he waited. Merlot was harvested in late September, while the Cabernets were picked in the middle of October. The wines were still in barrel when I stopped by, but that moment, at the end of aging and just before bottling, is often a very good time to taste, certainly better than just after bottling. Yields are down about 25%, so there will be less wine to go around.

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Drinking Window

2027 - 2041

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- By Author Name on Month Date, Year

The 2021s from Screaming Eagle are every bit as superb today as they were when I tasted them from barrel just prior to bottling. The wines show all the natural intensity of a vintage marked by drought and small berries. Harvest took place from September 24 to 29 for the Merlot, October 6 to 18 for the Cabernet Sauvignon and October 12 to 18 for the Cabernet Franc. The 2021s spent about three weeks on the skins, including a week of cold soak. They are among the most potent young wines I have tasted here in some time.