Bright medium ruby, a bit less saturated than the 2010. Precise, cool aromas of blackberry, violet, minerals and spearmint. Not quite the depth of the 2010 but offers superb intensity and cut to its very primary, fine-grained dark berry, floral and mint flavors. Still quite youthfully taut and firmly tannic on the aftertaste, in need of further elevage to flesh out. This was racked following the malolactic fermentation but not since then, with the result that it's very imploded today. But wonderfully elegant and intense, and a big success for the vintage. Winemaker Gislason noted that the merlot was in by September 27, well before the rainy spells of October.

Made from a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2011 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon is a sexy, upfront, precociously styled wine exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color as well as lots of licorice, camphor, black currant jam, new oak and spice box characteristics. Dense, rich and impressive, the early drinking charm of the 2011 vintage gives it immediate appeal. It should keep for 10-15 years.