MAXEM UV Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2020

We said it years ago when the brand was first launched, and we remain committed to this observation today…this brand WILL BE as influential to our industry as Helen Turley’s Marcassin. If a perfectly balanced and integrated Chardonnay is part of your love language (as it is mine) then the current release from MAXEM, made by the brilliant Sam Kaplan, belongs in your cellar.

Sam 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. His clients include Memento Mori, Arkenstone, Vangone Estate and formerly Nine Suns, all of which are ultra-premium brands made with meticulous care from pristine vineyards. His genius is in his humble approach, which allows Sam to let the fruit rather than his ego determine the outcome. He is thoughtful, intentional, and committed to his craft, and these qualities truly shine in every wine that he touches.

Conceptualized and produced alongside his wife, Nancy, a chef who has spent her career crafting Michelin-star cuisine in some of the best restaurants on both coasts, these two have combined their talents and dreams to create what we at ACME enthusiastically feel is an exceptional reality! The name MAXEM is the combination of their children’s names, Max and Emma, and in Latin it also means “best of the best.” The wines are brilliant - perfection in fact - and today we have the pleasure of offering you access to their latest release of 2020 Chardonnay from the celebrated UV Vineyard out on the Sonoma Coast.

“Our sixth vintage producing Chardonnay from the UV vineyard was one we will never forget. Low yields brought supremely concentrated fruit that is only matched by its density and richness, speaking to both the specificity of both the site and vintage. A golden elixir in the glass, vibrant aromatics of Comice pear, honeysuckle, acacia flowers, and wet stone are framed by a rich and unctuous palate full of candied lemon curd, poached pear, white clay, and a touch of honeyed citrus. There is an energy-filled acidity that stands arm-in-arm with the weight of the wine, producing a beautifully balanced offering that oozes decadence while exemplifying poise and precision in liquid form.” ~ Sam & Nancy Kaplan