ICYMI: 98-Pt Screaming Eagle Winemaker Napa Cab—Lowest Price ANYWHERE!

98 points from Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena comes from alluvial soils, and its dense purple hue is followed by a rich, powerful, concentrated wine loaded with ripe black (and some red) fruits, smoked tobacco, scorched earth, chocolate, and hints of spring flowers. Incredible on the palate as well, it's full-bodied, has an unctuous, layered, straight-up seamless mouthfeel, supple tannins, and a great, great finish. The texture, as well as the tannins, are truly special. It needed lots of air to show at its best, but it’s unquestionably drinking brilliantly today."

winemaker's notes:
"Deep, dense, viscous purple-black, with a vivid ruby rim and deep staining tears. With a little air the nose blossoms with aromas of baked blackberries, acai berry, creme de cassis, crushed stones, cedar shavings, cocoa, and mint. The palate is mouth-filling and rich, loaded with vibrant red-berry fruit and ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. While tightly packed and full-bodied, the wine's balance leaves the impression of elegance and grace."

background:
2019 marks the debut vintage for Vanessa Conlin and winemaker, Maayan Koschitzky’s new project together, Pas de Cheval. Vanessa has been a longtime friend and colleague in the wine business as well as Maayan, who previously has crafted wines for Dalla Valle and Screaming Eagle. He is currently the head of winemaking for Atelier Melka, which consists of all of Philippe Melka’s winery clients.

Called ‘Intermezzo’ because co-vintners Vanessa Conlin and winemaker, Maayan Koschitzky consider this to be a bit fuller-bodied than the ‘Prelude’, it comes from the west side of St. Helena off Inglewood Avenue. At this grower vineyard site, the well-drained alluvial soils help to provide complexity in the glass.