Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1988 vintage. Feminine-styled. Ran into some resistance back in the day with the (re-) emergence of this Château and the massive 85/86 and 89/90 efforts. Eff all that. The 1989 AND 1990 vintages probs the best this Château has ever realized. The 1988 slid in then and performed delicate magick. That cocoa powder and blueberry combo still coming forth with undeniable impressions. Whereas those four “bigger” vintages rocked harder, all four have had more noticeable drop off. This 1988 just doing its best La Mission Haut-Brion/Haut-Brion impression and pulling it off. No rush to crush. 5.13.26. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted several hours prior to service (recommended); no formal notes. While probably not my pick for best expression from Columbia Valley, the wines of Quilceda Creek certainly have a massive following for a reason. It has been at least seven years since I last had the 2005 vintage which was probably my favorite from the aughts. Well, I’m happy to report that it is very much alive and well. Big and would still be attractive stuff for many. Balanced. Perhaps a little hot on the finish but that’s pretty common with their wines; at least to my palate. Drink now and through 2030. — 2 years ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.8

Tasted blind. This bottle was purchased directly from the winery on allocation and stored in a cold cellar since release. The ruby color is frightfully deep, almost black. Intense aromas with a laser-like precision of blackcurrant, crushed rocks, orange rind, chocolate, black cherry, mint, cloves and a dash of bourbon vanilla introduce the 2007 Screaming Eagle. The palate is a complete knockout: Full-bodied, extremely concentrated with pixelated, polished tannins, built like a skyscraper with an almost never ending finish. This is a massive Napa Cab, but despite all its power, it still retains freshness and elegance. The top of the cork reads "fly high and proud". Drink now until 2040. — 3 years ago

Paul J

9.1

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Overrated and overpriced. 1+hr decant, probably needed more. Very hot nose with plums. Massive tannins and hits the palate like a razor blade. Earthy with plums and prunes. Not my style. Medium depth and finish.

Anyone want my last bottle? — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2003 vintage. Also recently tasted 9.26.23 (9.5) and 10.14.23 (9.4). First bottle was sexy, voluptuous and the usual Cos with all the baby fat, even after two decades. 2nd bottle much leaner (9.4) and w/o the baby fat...more minerals afoot. Decanted and immediately tasted, also after 30 mins and after 2 hrs. Massive sed thrown. This bottle in between worlds. Some baby fat, some minerals-still damned delicious and doesn't suck. 10.22.23. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2000 vintage. Briar, earth and slight brickish nose. Color as if bottled yesterday. Light-medium/medium body. Throwing some serious sed. Decanted for two hours and a little watery on the concentration but plenty of fruit. I suspect this would have fared better with a six hour decant/lounge sesh. Also follows on the heels of last week’s tasting of the massive and undying 1990 vintage so there’s that. — 3 years ago

Marshal White

9.3

Massive wine. Lots of everything. Absurdly exotic nose. Not the most harmonious; maybe still too young. — a year ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.7

inky, saturated, dark. Magnificent.
The nose full of violets, crushed rocks, black olives, cedar, black cracked pepper. Alcohol is medium.

On the palate, a masterpiece of tannin management, full throttle yet perfectly integrated, melting in dark ripe berry giving a wholesome mouthfeel and a highly pitched acidity giving lightness and brightness to the overall massive texture.
The full stem gives a lightness to the whole ensamble that is stunning and a masterclass of equilibrium and definition alike.
Buy by the case.
— 2 years ago

Ming L

9.2

2nd time tasting the ‘18. Massive wine. Opulent. Tremendous depth of fruits. Enjoy now for its sheer power. I would not open mine for at least another 10 years. — 3 years ago

Ed Chin

9.2

Massive dark fruit. The tannins are fine and sweet. I would suggest giving it a few more yrs just so the oak integrates better if you are oak adverse. — 4 years ago