Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — 2 months ago

J. Kim

9.0

Covered with coffee oak but intensely silvery mineral aroma matches it well. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The somewhat lesser known “second” wine of Screaming Eagle is actually a much different wine than its big brother as it includes a lot more Merlot in the blend. In fact, the 2011 vintage contained more Merlot (54%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) with the balance covered by Cabernet Franc. However, they still spare no expense in making the wine the very best it can be and, despite being known as the second wine, it’s actually more limited in production than Screagle. This particular bottle was shared by a very generous friend and decanted about 30 minutes before service.

The 2011 Second Flight pours a dark garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with pronounced pyrazines imparting green bell pepper along with with tobacco, black bramble fruit, black currants, rich earth, crushed rock, semi-sweet chocolate, dried herbs, purple flowers, baking cocoa, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannins (which are very rich and very fine) and medium+ acid. The wine finishes forever long with tobacco, dark fruits, earth, nutmeg other baking spices. I have to admit, this was a killer bottle and probably the best 2011’s I’ve yet to enjoy from Napa. Whoa. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 1.5 hours. Chocolate covered cherry mixed with wet earth. Much too much too soon but still overtly delicious. 9.12.25. — 6 months ago

Raun Kupiec

9.5

Deep smooth fruits, chocolate covered cherries, plum? Very, very smooth. Acidity and balance. Tannins are completely integrated. Was concerned it could have been too young, but no. Very very good. — 4 years ago

with Barbara

Carlos Gonzalez

9.3

Delish now or later. Dark chocolate covered pencil. 55%Cab 45%Merlot — 5 years ago

Joe Christenson

9.1

Rich dried dark fruit, tart cherry, chocolate covered cherry, violet, spices, and earthy + leathery notes. Medium bodied, deep but with enough bright acidity to keep it from feeling too heavy. — 6 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Another vintage. Still very good. Deep dark with dark fruit (a plum, blackberry), tobacco and leather. — 9 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1996 vintage. 6% Cab Franc but 50+% Cab and remaining % Merlot. Last tasted 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). This specimen nice fill and halfway saturated cork. Decanted and throwing appropriate sed. Tasted 30 mins post-decant. Light-medium body. Dark cherry and milk chocolate nose. Cocoa powder and chocolate-covered cherry in the flavors. Tannins primarily on the back palate. More than holding up and getting by. This has a few more years afoot. Gonna say it again for those in the back…this is the best wine they’ve ever made-white or red. Get off my lawn. 05.07.25. — a year ago

David Cox

9.4

Right bank, cab franc forward. Chocolate covered cherry. Mouth drying tannic structure. Great value. — 6 years ago