Maxem, 'Silver Eagle Vineyard', Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Sam, in his winemaking career, has been on the ground floor of some of Napa Valley’s most exciting wine projects in recent history, helping to plant vineyards, build wineries and cement reputations with wines that speak of the unparalleled sites in which they’re grown.

Nancy, as a chef, spent years in top restaurants in New York and Napa Valley, honing her craft and her palate beside celebrated chefs who demanded nothing less than perfection.

This project would not exist except for one very special person, Ulises Valdez. Ulises manages the UV Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, a site well-known to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fanatics. We’d tasted wines from this vineyard several times, and though we knew it was a longshot, we decided to see if we could purchase some of its fruit.

The site wasn’t the only thing attractive about UV, although its coastal location, well-drained soils, and meticulous farming protocol are precisely what we sought.

Winemaker
Sam Kaplan 

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Sonoma, California

Tasting Notes
Magenta in the glass with a deep garnet core, this stunning offering showcases the beautiful music that the VR and Calera clones can play together. Vibrant notes of red cherries, black raspberries, gardenias, lilacs, crushed violets, hints of saline, and crushed minerals meld effortlessly into an opulent and round palate layered with Stoetz Lane blackberry pie, raspberry preserves, sandalwood, wet slate, forest floor, and white pepper, all backed by a crimson acidity that canvases the mouth with every sip. Aged in 80% new French oak, the combination of ripe fruits and terroir-driven tension highlight an elevated harmony of beautiful fruits, exotic florals, and sultry spice. A round and juicy finish lifts the entire experience, with expressive notes of wild blackberries that linger on the tongue inviting you back for another taste.

95 Points - Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard was matured for 11 months in Remond, Taransaud and Chassin oak barrels. It has kaleidoscopic pomegranate, boysenberry and blood orange fruit with accents of charcuterie, licorice and graham cracker. The palate has a lacy frame of tannins and bright acidity that support surprisingly concentrated, spicy flavors, and its depth and freshness call you back to the glass again and again. 300 cases were made. [Erin Brooks, 29/03/2024]

99 Points - Ian Blackburn
Absolutely stunning color leads to a nose of plush exotic cherry, forest floor, incense, cool sea breeze and saline notes.  The mouth is deep, dense, and yet zero bitterness - I would call this an absolute pleasure bomb but this is way more refined  ... Like a well endowed  figure stuffed in a nicely appointed and snug fitting leather suit - crispy fruit skins, refined quality marks inside of a voluminous frame from this top quality vineyard of Ulises Valdez (UV).  WARNING:  The wine explodes in your glass and impacts your face and resulting in smile wrinkles on checks and forehead.  Hard to dent the quality and technique here, I had to work hard to keep 1 point for a possible upgrade on a 2nd tasting... can't wait.... this is a TINY PRODUCER - GRAB SOME IF YOU CAN FIND IT (YOU FOUND IT) .  Color 15/15, Aroma 25/25, Body 24.5/25, Overall 34.5/35

Product size: 750ml