Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley: Cult Status, 10 Majestic Wines, Prices 2024

Screaming Eagle, one of the most iconic Napa wineries, turned into a sensation almost overnight in the early 1990s. 

Today, owning a Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon bottle is the stuff of dreams for any wine connoisseur, and can be a smart investment choice for wine collectors!

But what makes it such a highly sought-after brand? 

Why do Screaming Eagle wines command skyrocketing prices?

We’ll also show you the 10 best wines to buy and why you should invest in these wines. Besides, you’ll find out the easiest way to buy these rare wines – through Vinovest!

A Quick Intro to the Famous Screaming Eagle Winery

Screaming Eagle is a Napa Valley-based winery (on the north coast of California) that started making wine in the 1990s. The first vintage of their signature Cabernet Sauvignon wine was released in 1992. 

The winery produces three wines in limited quantities:

• Screaming Eagle: The winery’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon wine (lovingly called a “cult Cab”) is blended with a small amount of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. About 700-850 cases of this wine are produced each year.
• The Flight: The Flight (formerly Second Flight), the second wine from the winery, is a proprietary red blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The winery produces 600-700 cases of The Flight annually.
• Sauvignon Blanc White Wine: This single varietal wine is made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and only a small amount is produced (about 820 cases).

So, how did Screaming Eagle gain its cult status?

The Story of Screaming Eagle’s Cult Status

In 1986, Jean Phillips and Tony Bowden (real estate agents) bought a 57-acre Oakville vineyard (east of the Napa River) pre-planted with mixed grape varieties.

Jean Philips initially sold all her produce from the Oakville parcel to other Napa Valley winemakers. But she sought the professional opinion of vintners at the Robert Mondavi Winery for her estate’s superior Cabernet Sauvignon yield. 

The Robert Mondavi team, recognizing the vineyard’s potential, connected her to consultant Richard Peterson and his daughter, winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett (of the Dalla Valle winery).

Together, they released the Screaming Eagle 1992 vintage that received a near-perfect score of 99 from wine critic Robert Parker of Wine Advocate. This catapulted the estate into stardom! 

In 2006, Stan Kroenke (real estate and sports entrepreneur) and Charles Banks (an investor) bought the now-famous Oakville estate from Jean Phillips. 

They hired winemaker Andy Erickson, estate manager David Abreu of David Abreu Vineyard Management, and French oenologist Michel Rolland to join the celebrated winery. 

Today, the Screaming Eagle winemakers are Nick Gislason and Robert Black, with Michel Rolland as a consultant.

Now, let’s check out the finest Screaming Eagle bottles you should get your hands on.

The 10 Best Screaming Eagle Wines to Buy in 2024

The best Screaming Eagle vintages you should check out now are:

1. 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
2. 2017 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum)
3. 2017 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc
4. 2007 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
5. 2010 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc
6. 2012 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
7. 2008 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
8. 2020 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
9. 2016 Screaming Eagle 'The Flight - Second Flight’
10. 2014 Screaming Eagle 'The Flight - Second Flight'

1. 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($23,435)

The inaugural Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintage is credited to winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, who brought her expertise from the Dalla Valle Vineyard winery. 

This iconic Screaming Eagle was aged in 60% new oak and bottled unfiltered. 

The ‘92 Screaming Eagle vintage wine is a desirable collectible due to its high wine critic scores and limited production.  

Wine lovers flocked to buy the first vintage, and with just 225 cases available for purchase, prices skyrocketed. 

Tasting notes:

Subtle notes of oak and blackcurrants are followed by layers of ripe and intense dark fruit like black cherry, berries, and dark currant. Its strong tannin content is concealed by a deep, rich flavor and balanced finish — making it a fine treat for any wine lover! 

2. 2017 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 Liter Magnum) ($12,555)

2017 was a tough year for Napa Valley. Local wildfires left soot residue in the air, tainting most of the crop. Screaming Eagle almost didn’t release a wine that year. 

But it managed to select a small batch for production, all sold in magnum bottles. Interestingly, wine Spectator gave the beautiful 2017 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon wine 96 points.   

Tasting notes:

Despite the challenging harvest and low produce, the 2017 vintage captures the royal texture and exquisite aromas of this Cuvee. Experience the creme de cassis and acacia flower scent in it against a subtle background of oak.

3. 2017 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc ($5,277)

Winemaker Nick Gislason fermented this wine in French oak barrels and kept it on its gross lees (gross lees contain phenolic content, which is where the wine gets its textured mouthfeel).

Robert Parker scored this exquisite wine 98 points. 

Tasting notes:

This vintage white wine has an incredible nose of passion fruit, honeycomb, gooseberries, and elderflower notes. The palate is refreshing and elegant, with citrus and chalky flavor notes.

4. 2007 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($5,226)

The 2007 Screaming Eagle was the second (after 1997) to get a perfect 100 points from wine critic Robert Parker. The estate continued its tradition of blending Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties.

The year marked a transfer of the winery’s ownership from Jean Philips to Charles Banks and Stan Kroenke. But this did not upset the estate’s strong foundation. 

Tasting notes:

This Napa Cabernet reveals signature notes of cassis and black currant fruit, followed by a delightful scent of roses, violets, and lavender. But it also takes on layers of camphor licorice and a smoky opulence. It has a silky texture and an extraordinarily long finish.

5. 2010 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc ($4,505)

2010 is the first vintage of the estate’s extremely rare Sauvignon Blanc white wine. There are only two acres of this white wine grape on the Screaming Eagle estate — they made just 200 bottles in 2010!

Tasting notes:

This moderately acidic drink contains melon, lychee, and pineapple notes. The fresh and crisp white wine ends with a vibrant citric finish.

6. 2012 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($4,474)

The 2012 vintage was only the second one by winemaker Nick Gislason. He joined the estate as Andy Erickson’s assistant and took over as a full-time winemaker in the challenging year of 2011.  

This fine wine was the fourth Screaming Eagle to receive a perfect score of 100 points from Robert Parker. 

Tasting notes:

This bold and structured Napa Cabernet reveals hints of graphite, new oak, and licorice. Your palate will also pick up on fresh spearmint, lavender sprig, and black currant.

7. 2008 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($4,428)

The recently replanted vineyards allowed the estate to produce more wine each year. About 680 cases of this exceptional vintage were made. 

Wine critics Robert Parker, James Suckling, and Wine Spectator scored this wine 95, 97, and 94 points, respectively.

This cemented the reputations of winemaker Andy Erickson and estate manager David Abreu as the real stars of the Screaming Eagle winery.  

Tasting notes:

Enjoy a rich expression of the Oakville vineyards’ loamy and fragrant terroir with classic cassis aromas. Its full-bodied, bold, and rich structure allows the masculine flavor of mocha and espresso to come through strongly.

8. 2020 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($3,863)

This drink is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. It scored 96 points from Vinous Media and an amazing 99 points from James Suckling.

Tasting notes:

Any wine lover will admire this red wine for its crisp freshness and fabulous aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, fresh mushroom, and violets. On the palate, this red wine displays the flavors of dark fruit, spice, and leather.

9. 2016 Screaming Eagle 'The Flight - Second Flight’ ($1,072)

In 2006, the estate started producing a second wine. This was after the declassified grapes from its vineyard were deemed unfit for its primary Cuvee. 

However, this Merlot-based blend is just as widely loved and admired by wine lovers and critics alike. Robert M Parker Jr gave this wine 97 points. 

Tasting notes:

The bold and expressive wine opens with whiffs of plums, raspberries, violets, and dark chocolate, followed by a hint of menthol. Its silky tannin mouthfeel and bold structure lead to a long, perfumed finish. 

10. 2014 Screaming Eagle 'The Flight - Second Flight' ($978)

This Screaming Eagle second wine is a blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. While you can enjoy this drink now, it’s expected to evolve beautifully for about 15 years.

Tasting notes:

This vintage has a floral nose with dark fruit, cassis, white chocolate, and mocha aromas. The palate is silky with black truffles and black cherry flavors.

Let’s now look at the terroir of Screaming Eagle’s famed vineyard.

The Grape Varietals and Viticulture at Screaming Eagle

Early on in her reign, Philips planted the entire vineyard land with a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Despite the estate’s small size (48 acres), it displays a surprising variance in its terroir:

• Soil: The soil contains rocks, gravel, loam, and clay.
• Climate: The vines in this west-facing estate are rarely exposed to excessive sunlight. Also, the estate enjoys the cool breezes from San Pablo Bay, San Francisco. Meanwhile, the vineyard is also planted on slopes that drain the land of excess water during heavy showers.

This unique microclimate in this estate is responsible for the early ripening of Screaming Eagle’s grapes, often one of the first in all of Napa Valley. 

Beyond this, part of the brand’s mystique lies in its closely guarded farming techniques. The estate rarely opens its doors to visitors, and most fans are in the dark about the viticultural magic of winemaker Nick Gislason! 

This aura of secrecy only encourages collectors to pay higher prices each year!

But, it’s tough to get hold of these bottles.

We’ll tell you how you can easily add them to your collection through Vinovest. But for now, let’s check if it’s worth investing in these wines.

Should You Invest in Screaming Eagle Wine Bottles?

Investing in Screaming Eagle wines can be an excellent idea. These drinks have consistently appreciated in value each year and usually perform well at auctions. 

For example:

• The price of the 1998 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon wine rose by 72% — from $4,248 in August 2021 to $7,310 in July 2023.
• The price of the ​​2017 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc rose by 41% — from $4,198 in September 2021 to $5,924 in April 2023. 

The Cabernet cult wine is extremely popular at auctions. For instance:

• In 2000, a 6-liter bottle of the 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet produced by winemaker Heidi Barrett sold for a whopping $500,000 at the Auction Napa Valley!
• In 2001, Ron Kuhn, an honorary trustee of the Naples Children & Education Foundation, bought 8 Jeroboam (3-liter) bottles of Screaming Eagle’s Cabernet Sauvignon (1992-1999 vintages) for $650,000 at the Auction Napa Valley.
• In 2022, 3 magnum bottles of Screaming Eagle’s Cabernet Sauvignon, The Flight, and Sauvignon Blanc wines sold for $48,600 at a Sotheby's auction.  

Why Is Screaming Eagle so Expensive?

There are a few reasons behind Screaming Eagle’s high pricing:

• Low Production of High-Quality Grapes: Screaming Eagle has kept its annual production under 800 cases, and this is primarily due to the small size of the estate. But more importantly, producing such a small number of elegant cult wine bottles allows Screaming Eagle to turn it into a seller’s market. 
• Exclusive Sales: You won’t find a bottle of Screaming Eagle in stock at the local store. To place an order, you’d have to be a part of an esteemed mail order list. So, acquiring a Screaming Eagle is not for the faint-hearted. The brand commands a dedicated fan following of loyal wine lovers and investors. 
• Praise From Critics: High critic scores have continued to propel Screaming Eagle forward since its first vintage. After receiving 99 points from Robert Parker of Wine Advocate, this Californian wine won a perfect 100 points from him in 1997. In fact, it’s almost impossible to spot a Screaming Eagle wine rated below 90. 

Now, here’s an issue: 

Screaming Eagle is one of the most copied wine brands ever. 

Let’s see how the winery deals with this.

Screaming Eagle Anti-Counterfeit Measures

Over the years, Screaming Eagle has inspired a considerable list of copycat wine bottles looking for innocent buyers. 

To deal with this, the Screaming Eagle winery launched anti-counterfeit measures from the 2010 batch onwards. Here’s what you need to do:

• Look for the bubble code on the bottle label that contains a serial number.
• Head to the official Screaming Eagle website and verify this number.

So, what’s the best way to invest in a cult wine like Screaming Eagle and other bottles?Vinovest is your best bet!

Invest in Screaming Eagle Wines Through Vinovest

Vinovest is an online wine investment platform that helps you buy, store, and sell fine wine bottles from across the globe.

The best part is that you don’t need to be a wine expert or a professional to have a successful wine portfolio.

To get started, follow these simple steps: 

• Sign up on the Vinovest website.
• Complete a brief questionnaire so that Vinovest’s wine experts can assess your investment style and risk appetite. 
• Kickstart your journey with an initial deposit of a minimum of $1,000. 
• Track your fine wine portfolio online while you enjoy a fine glass of Screaming Eagle wine.

But what are the benefits?

Investing in wines through Vinovest comes with these perks:

• Easy Buying and Selling of Wines: Vinovest’s AI-based online platform makes it easy for you to buy and sell wines. Although it allows you to sell your wines anytime, it’s usually best to sell fine wine after 5-20 years (when it has reached its peak value). To make things easier for you, our advisors will work with you to maximize your returns.
• Best Prices: Vinovest sources wines directly from winemakers, global wine exchanges, and wine merchants. This allows you to buy wine bottles at the best possible wholesale prices.
• Low Overall Costs: Besides the funds you add to your account, all you need to pay is a 2.5% annual fee (1.9% for a portfolio over $50,000). This covers wine buying, authentication, storage, a full insurance policy at market value, portfolio management, and selling.
• Optimal Storage: Vinovest stores your precious collection in climate-controlled bonded warehouses that don’t charge excise duty or VAT. 
• Easy Delivery of Wines: You can get a bottle from your collection shipped to your doorstep should you decide to pop open a bottle. Also, you retain full ownership of your wines.

But that’s not all. Check out the Vinovest website to learn more!

Ready to Own a Masterpiece?

The Screaming Eagle winery represents the very best of winemaking traditions, combining age-old knowledge about viticulture with advances in vinification techniques. 

The result is charming and delicious wines with high aging potential and market value. 

Visit the Vinovest website to get hold of these cult wines hassle-free. 

Want to buy other Cabernet Sauvignon wines from reputed Napa wineries? Or, do you perhaps want to buy an expensive Chenin Blanc, Italian wine, or other fine wines from New Zealand? Vinovest will easily source these wines for you!