Rhett Reeves

9.2

Love love love. Big body. Eating Indian food at Kirma in Houston with a great buddy Nick Garcia. It’s a perfect blend atmosphere and personality, which suits this wine perfectly. — 5 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

Susan Krausz was a wonderful host again this year. She has reason to be proud of her wines, because they are spectacular! I am not a Sauvignon Blanc fan, but in the hands of winemaker Sam Kaplan, it is not a citrus bomb. Instead, it is a complex combination and balance of mineral, banana, tropical fruit without the bite. One of the few Sauvignon Blancs that I feel can be great now and 6 years from now. — 6 years ago

with Ryan, Lauren and 1 other

Michael McNabb

9.4

I love this wine! Thanks Sam! — 7 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.7

Another serious Sam Kaplan concoction (Sam is in the photo...not the one with the snake). A Cabernet Sauvignon blend from the famous Dr. Crane, as Piedras and the Weitz Vineyards. Deep color, staining the glass (and anaconda decanter...that will never be the same) and layering the sides of the glass with beautiful, plush opaque runs. Full-bodied to almost dense, but still trademark Kaplan lushness, balance and great finish. Dark cherry fruits and more chocolate than cocoa on the tastebuds with a touch of spice on the nose. Already a stunning wine at 2014, with proper decanting. I am sure it only gets better!! — 7 years ago

with Katherine and Beth

Ashley Ready

9.8

Love it just as much as the 2012. Easy to drink on the patio in this 60 degree Houston weather. — 7 years ago

Brian McMahon

Sales Polaner Selections

9.1

Varietal Notes: Moscato Bianco, Fuilano, Cortese
Vineyard: Flora and Fauna loosely means the collection of plant and animal life of a certain epoch. This version is the collection of varietals from the cellar and also from Sam's ideas that make up the blend for the year. For 2014, The Bee compromises of roughly 60% Muscat Canelli (a.k.a Muscat Blanc, Moscato Bianco), 30% Friulano, and 10% Cortese. The Muscat Canelli comes from organically farmed, well drained volcanic soils on the southwest edge of Lake County. The Friulano and Cortese both come from Fox Hill Vineyard with soils that are well drained with high concentrations of gravel and sandstone.
Vinification: Winemaking starts in the vineyard, and Sam's preference is to find sites that require minimal to no work. In other words, the basics done right and well timed are all a great site needs. When that is the case, the winemaking becomes a simple game of guiding the fruit to be what it already is. For all three pieces of the blend, the grapes are picked at the first sign of ripeness. Sam time picking to when flavors just begin to emerge but the acidity and structure are still the predominant focus. From there, the grapes were whole cluster pressed, fermented via native yeasts, left on all the lees and solids, aged in neutral oak, and underwent native secondary fermentation. The blend was assembled in January leading up to bottling.
Production: 185 cases produced.
Notes: A dry, exotic, and aromatic white that doesn't stray to an over the top or sappy level is hard to find, and it was the rational behind the varietal choices and picking decisions. Macerated orange blossoms, wet river stones, spiced honey, ginger, gardenia, lemon peel, salty ocean air, and rangpur lime all balance in the aromas. The mouth shows great texture and weight without ever getting heavy. The finish is full of spicy acidity.
RATINGS
— 8 years ago

Punky Mahle

9.0

Thank you Sam this is Delicious — 9 years ago

Priscilla Heard

9.0

Not too hoppy, will drink more than one. Always like Sam Adams. — 9 years ago

Martin Kelly

9.6

This wine maker previously held the title for Shiraz of the year for Australia before the family company he worked for was bought out. Through angel funding he is back on his feet and this Shiraz you can buy under $20 — 10 years ago

with Ania

Craig Otten

9.6

Nice job Sam! — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

The Generous Pour at The Capital Grill. This delightful wine event stacked with Houston Restaurant Weeks was an instant win 💯

Solid Cab that pairs nicely with a Kona-crusted dry aged NY strip. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Paul T HB

9.6

Great new Chardonnay from Sam Kaplan,
Parker 94-96 — 7 years ago

Lloyd Sun

9.6

Hi Sam. Thank you.... wish you Rest In Peace. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

This is one of the Single Block Cuvees from Two Paddocks owned by actor and raconteur, Sam Neill. Sam is an engaging and very funny guy - could have done Stand Up! From the Program and Bio - "Producers and Purveyors of Pinot to Gentry and Ratbags since 1993."
This wine was 50% whole bunch as with all 3 Cuvées offered. Textbook Otago Pinot with wild Thyme nose, cherry and luscious silky mouthfeel with fine tannin structure. — 7 years ago

A. R.

9.3

One of the best roses I've ever had. Sam is truly an amazing winemaker. On the nose, herbal/savory notes, yet also has a cream cheese cake frosting note as well. In the mouth, bracing acidity, incredible minerality and the faintest hint of fruit. Long finish. Just a beautiful wine on its own, and perfect for food as well. — 8 years ago

Francisco Perez

9.1

Superb. Full bodied. Mouthful of flavor. Winner of best wine at Houston Rodeo a couple of years ago. — 8 years ago

John Weber

9.0

I was actually really surprised by this wine, as I am typically not a Shiraz fan. — 9 years ago

Larry Reece

9.0

We like it... Tried it out first night of 7 weeks in Houston. 2-22-15 — 9 years ago

Hirsch Vineyards

9.4

Loved this gorgeous rosé from Sam Sheehan last night, made from Sonoma County pinot noir and pinot meunier. — 10 years ago

with Jasmine

Archie Mega

9.8

72 mos elevage? This is yum. Thanks for sharing sam and Oscar and Rob — 11 years ago

Paul Weil

9.1

This wine represents everything I love about the Aussie terroir for Shiraz. It is rich and thick in tannic structure. The flavors are pleasantly dark: dark currant, dark cherry, dark chocolate. — 5 years ago

Rheba

10

Sam and I live this wine. 100% Nebbiolo 2013. 14% alcohol. — 6 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

One of the casualties from the Napa fires in Atlas Peak region. Coliseum Block burnt to a crisp. (Bottom right photo). This is one of Arkenstone’s ventures outside of Howell Mountain. Winemaker Sam Kaplan says ‘hold on all of your stock because it will take a while to get this vineyard back to full production’. Sad to hear because Coliseum Block was full of depth in color, texture and complexity. — 7 years ago

with Ryan and Katherine

Alec Jeffery

9.0

From a small producer, for a 3 year old wine shows amazing balance and good complexity, certainly more old world in style. — 7 years ago

Holly Hawley

9.0

Now my go to wine of choice. Absolutely love it! — 7 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.6

Howell Mountain heaven! We are going to be up there at the end of October for Halloween on Howell (Howl) Mountain! With wines like this, it will be an amazing time! Thank you Sam Kaplan and Susan Krausz. — 8 years ago

with Katherine

Mike Mayer

9.1

A very nice Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Lots of blueberry, plum, raspberry, and dark cherry on the nose. On the palate I taste plum, caramel, and a little coffee. The finish is very nice and long. Great structure in this wine with elegant tannins and almost perfect acidity in my opinion. Our wine for the night before we head back to Houston after a week in Napa and Sonoma. Sigh.......
— 8 years ago

with Lisa

Martin Diehr

9.0

Nice Oktoberfest beer from Sam Adams - I think they played with the recipe - tastes better this year — 10 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.7

Wonderful balance, exotic flavors, just enough richness, great showing by Jessica and Sam Bilbro — 11 years ago

Christopher Hoel

Sommelier/Senior Wine Advisor Soutirage

9.7

This 2010 Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa is Awesome! This is the inaugural vintage with fruit from Beckstoffer and George III. Big but polished with massive ripe fruit and mouth watering acidity. Bravo Sam Kaplan! — 12 years ago

with Adriel