Screaming Eagle Second Flight 2011 750ml

94 points Wine Advocate

Deep garnet colored, the 2011 Second Flight (a blend of 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc) offers up a gorgeous perfume of wilted roses and violets over a core of blackberry tart, raspberry preserves and kirsch with subtle baking spices and garrigue notions. Medium to full-bodied with a solid frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, it has wonderfully perfumed layers and an exotic spice-laced finish. It has a surprising amount of weight and concentration for this cool, rainy vintage. Winemaker Nick Gislason informed me that the last pick was on November 1 this year—which is extremely late! But this later harvest clearly paid off when you consider how ripe the tannins are on this beauty.