Screaming Eagle
The Flight
Oakville, United States
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Bordeaux Blend
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Too Young: holding.
In May 2026, the 2019 Screaming Eagle The Flight is still in its formative years. The drinking window does not open until 2028, meaning the wine remains young and somewhat compressed. Those who open a bottle today will find a wine of obvious quality but one that has not yet revealed its full depth. The floral and savory aromatics are present but tight, and the tannins, while refined, are still knitting together. After 2028 the wine will begin to open, and the peak window of 2032 to 2045 will represent this wine at its most expressive and complex. Patience will be rewarded substantially. If drinking before 2028, decant for two to three hours minimum and serve in large-format Burgundy glasses.
The ‘19 The Flight.
A floral, savory Oakville red blend from one of Napa's most storied estates, combining violet, black olive, and mineral precision in an age-worthy 2019.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The Flight is Screaming Eagle's second wine, crafted from Oakville estate fruit that does not meet the exacting standards of the grand vin, yet even in this secondary role it produces a wine of remarkable distinction and character. The 2019 vintage is a floral, savory Oakville red blend of surpassing elegance. The nose opens with violet and lavender aromatics that frame the fruit and give the wine an immediate sense of place and refinement. Beneath the florality, black olive, spearmint, and delicate green tea nuances add a savory complexity that distinguishes this wine from simpler Napa fruit-forward styles. The fruit itself is precise and focused: dark cherry, crushed blackberry, and a thread of wet stone mineral depth. On the palate the wine is medium to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins that feel almost powdery in their texture, providing structure without weight. The acidity is refreshingly precise, and the finish is long and persistent, carrying the floral and savory notes through an extended conclusion that confirms the wine's quality. The layered complexity and restrained power of The Flight reward contemplative tasting, and the extended bottle age signaled by the fine tannins and detailed structure suggests this wine will continue to reward patience through its extended peak window.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 Napa Valley growing season produced wines of outstanding finesse and complexity, particularly in the Oakville appellation where Screaming Eagle is situated. The harvest was characterized by excellent ripeness and concentration while cooler nighttime temperatures preserved the freshness and aromatic precision that distinguish elite Napa Cabernet from simpler interpretations. The vintage's naturally suave tannins and balanced acidity are evident throughout the 2019 Oakville wines, and The Flight demonstrates these qualities with the additional advantage of fruit selection from one of Napa Valley's most celebrated estate properties.
About Screaming Eagle
Screaming Eagle is among Napa Valley's most celebrated and sought-after estates, producing wines of extraordinary quality from its Oakville property in volumes so small that bottles are rarely seen outside the estate's mailing list. The Flight serves as the estate's second wine, sharing the same vineyard source and winemaking philosophy as the grand vin but offering access to the Screaming Eagle terroir and craftsmanship for a broader audience. Even as a second wine, The Flight operates at a level of quality that exceeds the grand vin of most other Napa producers.
From the cellar: pair with
Roasted beef tenderloin with herbed mushroom duxelles
The wine's savory olive and green tea complexity pairs naturally with earthy mushroom preparations, while the beef provides the weight the tannins require.
Rack of lamb with lavender and herb crust
The wine's floral lavender and violet aromatics are mirrored beautifully in a lavender-herb crust, creating an aromatic pairing of unusual elegance.
Pan-seared foie gras with black cherry reduction
The wine's dark cherry core and fine acidity cut through the richness of foie gras while the fruit reduction echoes the wine's Oakville fruit character.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 16 to 18 degrees C (61 to 64 degrees F)
- Decanting
- If opening before 2028, decant 2 to 3 hours minimum. After 2028, a 60 to 90 minute decant is ideal.
- Cellar Storage
- 12 to 14 degrees C (54 to 57 degrees F)
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Oakville, United States
Frequently Asked
What is The Flight by Screaming Eagle?
The Flight is the second wine of Screaming Eagle, produced from Oakville estate fruit not selected for the grand vin. It shares the estate's terroir and winemaking philosophy while offering a more accessible entry point.
When should I open the 2019 The Flight?
The drinking window opens in 2028, with peak drinking from 2032 through 2045. Patience will be generously rewarded.
How does The Flight compare to the Screaming Eagle grand vin?
The Flight shares the same estate source and winemaking approach as Screaming Eagle's flagship wine but is typically less concentrated and more approachable earlier. It is still a wine of exceptional quality by any standard.
How should I store The Flight?
Cellar at 12 to 14 degrees C in a dark, vibration-free environment with stable humidity through the extended peak window of 2032 to 2045.