Maxem, Pinot Noir, UV Vineyard, Sonoma, California, 2023

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
Pinot Noir

Origin
Sonoma, California

Tasting Notes
An exuberant offering that spotlights the expressive personality of the vintage, the ’22 UV Pinot Noir harnesses the aromatic hallmarks of the site combined with the sheer purity of the fruit itself. Quintessential aromas of Morello cherries, mushrooms, black tea, cherry blossoms, and wet stone lead into a scarlet palate full of red plums, ripe strawberries, crunchy minerals, spiced cherries, and hints of salinity. Keen layers of acidity are ever present, yet not overwhelming, with additional notes of wildflowers and wet earth that continue to evolve with time in the glass. A sensual offering with impeccable balance and purity, the wine possesses a remarkable restraint without compromising anything. It offers the sophistication we’ve come to expect from this hallowed site with the depth and nuance that reinforce the pedigree of the fruit.

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 25/25, Overall 34/35

Product size: 750ml