Composed of 43% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc and with a very deep garnet-purple color, the 2012 Second Flight has an enticingly savory nose with notes of smoked meats, yeast extract, tapenade and truffles over a core of crème de cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated in the mouth, it has firm, velvety tannins and plenty of background freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and spicy.

The 2012 Screaming Eagle is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Ripe, flamboyant and opulent to the core, the 2012 races across the palate with stunning depth and pure texture. The flavors are dark, bold and expressive. This is one of the darker, more powerful 2012s readers will come across. Because of the long, temperate growing season, winemaker Nic Gislason opted to wait until mid-October to harvest, very late by the estate's historical standards. Estate Manager Armand de Maigret told me the 2012 reminds him of the 2007. I don't quite see that parallel, but it will be interesting to taste both vintages from bottle in a few years to find out.

The 2012 Second Flight appears to be the finest second wine Screaming Eagle has produced to date. This opulent red is filled with cassis and jammy black cherry notes intermixed with subtle hints of smoke and forest floor. Pure, full-bodied, deep, layered and silky textured, it is already hard to resist even though it is still in barrel. Given its concentration and depth, it should age effortlessly for 10-15 or more years. Under the ownership of Stan Kroenke, this vineyard has been replanted and a new cellar has been constructed. The production of Screaming Eagle has remained between 700-1,000 cases, and a second wine, the Second Flight, includes 520-800 cases. The introduction of a second wine is an attempt to keep Screaming Eagle at its mythical level of quality. This vineyard, situated on the valley floor at the Oakville Crossroads across the road from the Rudd Estate, encompasses 60 acres, but only a small percentage is used for these two cuvees. Based on the three vintages I tasted, it appears the Second Flight wines include much less Cabernet Sauvignon and more Merlot than the flagship Screaming Eagle. Tel. (707) 944-0749