Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - 3 Pack Case 2022 CASE

98 points Jonathan Cristaldi (Decanter): "The 2022 Screaming Eagle is superbly perfumed, bursting with rose, rose stem, and violets. The tannins are silky and refined, reminiscent of 2018, with less grip and more sleek finesse—here, satin takes precedence over velvet. Ripe mulberry fruit, sandalwood, and coriander add layers to the medium-bodied palate, which is energised by saline-acid tension and remarkable balance. As the tannins melt seamlessly, notes of cocoa powder and cool slate crispness linger, enhancing the wine’s precision and elegance. The result of careful, patient winemaking and extreme sorting, this 2022 vintage delivers remarkable poise despite the challenges. Fermented in large wood foudres, concrete, and stainless steel, then aged 20–22 months in 69% new French oak, it is a stunning achievement. It may not be the longest-lived Eagle, but it's one to enjoy earlier in life. (“In a twisted way, vintages like this excite me a bit,” says Nick Gislason, winemaker at Screaming Eagle. “There were real decisions to make in the vineyard that had serious consequences, unlike years like 2018, 2019, or 2007, where choices shape the wine but don’t create disaster.” Coming off multiple dry years, 2022 was a test of resilience. With less than half the typical rainfall in 2020 and 2021, the vineyard entered the growing season under significant drought stress. “Even with winter rain, the effects of prolonged drought are sequential,” Gislason explains. Due to hydric stress, the vines had smaller canopies, lighter crop loads, and less Merlot. Fortunately, a cooler early season encouraged slow ripening and perfume development, keeping the fruit balanced before the extreme Labor Day heatwave. With brix levels at 19–20, the grapes were still firm and able to withstand dehydration, unlike riper fruit that’s more vulnerable. The estate’s later-ripening, cold-sink location allowed them to ride out the heatwave, with selective sorting ensuring only pristine fruit made it to the winery. Harvest began on September 23 and wrapped by October 10, with just four barrels of Merlot, which were blended into the flagship Cabernet rather than bottled separately.) Drinking window 2025-2045 (Feb 2025)"

(95-97) points Jeb Dunnuck: "While I wasn't able to taste the 2021s, the 2022s from Screaming Eagle are undeniable successes. Tasted from multiple barrels, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon has medium to full-bodied, richness, beautiful purity of fruit and ripe, building tannins, as well as a good spine of acidity. This estate did an incredible selection, and it certainly shows in all the samples I was able to taste. (Dec 2023)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Floral and silky in the glass, with lovely forward fruit, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a decidedly delicate, elegant wine. It offers terrific freshness and verve. Floral and citrus overtones lift a core of red-toned fruit. The low-ish tannins of the vintage are evident in the wine's mid-weight structure. In the 2022, it's the wine's freshness I admire most. I imagine the 2022 is a rare Screaming Eagle that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Drink 2027-2042 (Dec 2024)"