Buying Wine

Screaming Eagle Second Flight

Screaming Eagle

Screaming Eagle is finally offering their much anticipated “second” label. The wine is named Second Flight, and the initial offer includes two bottles each of the 2006, ’07, ’08 and ’09 vintages. Cost from the winery is $1800 plus tax and shipping – that works out to $225 per bottle. Pretty ambitious pricing for a second label but, given that the flagship wine retails for $750, the price seems about right.

Here’s the offer letter from the winery:

Dear Tom,

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the new wine from Screaming Eagle: a much anticipated, eight-years-in-the-making, unique bottling that we’ve named Second Flight.

Here on the estate, we grow Cabernet Franc and Merlot as blending components for our iconic Cabernet Sauvignon. For the last eight years, we’ve been making a different wine based on our top Merlot and Cabernet Franc lots. Each blend is vintage dependent–in a cool year, Merlot is the stronger voice, while in a warmer one, Cabernet Franc will take center stage. Second Flight is part and parcel of Screaming Eagle; the wines express that signature freshness so typical of the estate and will age for many years regardless of the composition.

At this time, we’re offering a vertical pack (two bottles each) from the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintages. This foursome offers an unprecedented opportunity to observe a period of time in our vineyard with Merlot and Cabernet Franc as the primary lenses.

As expected, volume is small.  This inaugural vertical will be offered only once, orders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, and are limited to one vertical per customer.

Quick action in this case will likely be the best strategy, as there are far fewer vertical packs than people on the Screaming Eagle mailing list.  Taste, and enjoy.

With best regards,

Armand de Maigret Estate Manager

I don’t have much more to add, but I’m curious: What do you think?

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13 thoughts on “Screaming Eagle Second Flight

  1. Not going to give me more drinking pleasure than the magnums of Ridge Monte Bello that I buy as futures for $150/btl. I’m out.

  2. I got out of the Cali Cult wine phase when Harlan went to $500 bottle. Unlike 1st Growth Bordeaux, the investment just isn’t going to appreciate in value, just in case I decide I need to liquidate. 2nd wines are never the standard, & at $225 ea, a better value in my opinion is Harlan’s The Maiden at $150 ea. I have really enjoyed them.

    1. California cult wines are of little interest to me as well although I still buy Schrader and Scarecrow. In regards to The Maiden, I agree it may be a better value than Second Flight, but I have little doubt the Second Flight would be the better investment if one were so inclined.

  3. I think the first release will sell out quickly. Not sure how strong the follow-on offerings will be. I just ordered mine, but I think you all make good points including The Maiden and Scarecrow.

    1. It seems to me the market for Screaming Eagle is only getting stronger over the last few years after a lull maybe 5 years ago. I think subsequent offering will be in high demand. I bought as well.

  4. The 2006 has way too much eucalyptus on the nose for my taste, and it over powers the cassis flavors. 2007 is far superior.

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