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
— 10 years ago

PD

10

All caramel-y — 11 years ago

Punky Mahle

9.0

Thank you Sam this is Delicious — 11 years ago

Hirsch Vineyards

9.4

Loved this gorgeous rosé from Sam Sheehan last night, made from Sonoma County pinot noir and pinot meunier. — 12 years ago

with Jasmine

AlexP

9.7

Buttery. not sweet. Nice slight tang. Great stand alone wine. Grape Connection Sam Diego — 12 years ago

Archie Mega

9.8

72 mos elevage? This is yum. Thanks for sharing sam and Oscar and Rob — 13 years ago

Patrick Resendiz

8.9

Good. Dinner with miranda and mom — 10 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.6

My thanks to Jason Chang for showing us around his 'almost finished' amazing winery on the top of Pritchard Hill. My thanks to Elizabeth Vianello at Brand for introducing us to their neighbor. And big thanks to Sam Kaplan for creating such a silky smooth, rich and a word I use infrequently...succulent wine. As with Sam's style, it was well balanced and a velvet finish. Go see this state of the art facility. The view south into the valley is incredible. — 10 years ago

with Katherine

Cecilia Garza

9.0

Love it! And I love Miranda Lambert! Good, smooth and fruity. Delicious — 11 years ago

Priscilla Heard

9.0

Not too hoppy, will drink more than one. Always like Sam Adams. — 11 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 — 12 years ago

with Ania

Markus Schöffler

9.7

Weinmesse MUC — 13 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! — 14 years ago

with Adriel

Meg Powers

9.5

Full bodied, sweet to start, tart to finish this is phenomenal — 10 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

Sam Kaplan is making some amazing stuff lately and this is no exception! Also got to try the 2013...and it is even better! Available this spring. — 10 years ago

with Katherine

John Weber

9.0

I was actually really surprised by this wine, as I am typically not a Shiraz fan. — 11 years ago

Nat Caccamo

9.3

Vintage 2014: White flowers and vanilla on the nose. Bright citrus acidity with a light green peppercorn finish. A delight especially for the $14 price! — 11 years ago

Martin Diehr

9.0

Nice Oktoberfest beer from Sam Adams - I think they played with the recipe - tastes better this year — 12 years ago

Manny Martinez

9.6

Look what I got in the mail today. Good job Sam! — 12 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.7

Wonderful balance, exotic flavors, just enough richness, great showing by Jessica and Sam Bilbro — 13 years ago