Idlewild
The Bee Flora & Fauna White Blend
Mendocino, North Coast, California, USA
Rich with a racy finish. Jasmine, a mix of tropical fruits, salty, and stony. Enjoyable and outside the white I often drink.
Rich with a racy finish. Jasmine, a mix of tropical fruits, salty, and stony. Enjoyable and outside the white I often drink.
Aug 8th, 2018
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
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
I adore this wine. Orange, sea salt, grapefruit, floral, lemon peel, aromatic.
I adore this wine. Orange, sea salt, grapefruit, floral, lemon peel, aromatic.
1 person found it helpfulApr 19th, 2015I am a big fan of the red (Bird) and the Bee white Italian blend also deserves praise. The bright ginger, citrus notes pair well with the Hoisin meatballs yes!
I am a big fan of the red (Bird) and the Bee white Italian blend also deserves praise. The bright ginger, citrus notes pair well with the Hoisin meatballs yes!
Jun 24th, 2015Great bouquet if flora and fauna but the finish was sour and lemony like a veltliner. At lark on the Park in Dallas.
Great bouquet if flora and fauna but the finish was sour and lemony like a veltliner. At lark on the Park in Dallas.
May 22nd, 2016Bright and citrusy, there's nothing not to love about this wine.
Bright and citrusy, there's nothing not to love about this wine.
Mar 30th, 2016
Just can't get over how excellent the entire Idlewild lineup is. Gingery citrus, so crisp. We opened this and it was like spring was magically here.
Just can't get over how excellent the entire Idlewild lineup is. Gingery citrus, so crisp. We opened this and it was like spring was magically here.
Mar 12th, 2016
Sam's wines are easy to love. The Bee is no different. Pretty, floral aromas. Balanced, ripe, delicious.
Sam's wines are easy to love. The Bee is no different. Pretty, floral aromas. Balanced, ripe, delicious.
Jan 2nd, 2016
Had for 12 yr anniversary! Sweet to start but not to finish
Had for 12 yr anniversary! Sweet to start but not to finish
Jun 8th, 2015