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Williams Selyem Wines

Founded by Ed Selyem and Burt Williams, the Williams Selyem Winery released its first commercial Pinot Noir in 1981. In 1998, the Russian River Valley winery was purchased by John and Kathe Dyson who have continued to set a standard for Pinot Noir winemaking. Recently, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Williams Selyem’s Executive Winemaker, Bob Cabral, the 2011 Winemaker of the Year. Williams Selyem selects grapes from leading vineyards located in the Central Coast, Mendocino County, Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley. Williams Selyem’s wine portfolio includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, late-harvest Muscat and Gewürztraminer as well as Port-styled bottlings from Touriga National, Tinta Cão and Tinta Madeira. High ratings and Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “Editors’ Choice” designation have been awarded to many of Williams Selyem wines, including the 2006 Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley); 2007 Late Harvest Muscat; 2004 Flax Vineyard Pinot Noir; and 2004 Precious Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast).

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100
points

Williams Selyem 2007 Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

  • Online Exclusive
  1. $100
A spectacular Pinot Noir, but a very young one, and extremely dry. It’s a wine of great structure, with rich acids and tannins framing extraordinarily complex flavors of grilled cherries, strawberries and raspberries, with complicating notes of cola, pomegranates, orange zest, anise, dusty Asian spices and smoky sandalwood. A truly great Pinot Noir from a great…  — S.H.  (2/1/2010)
99
points

Williams Selyem 2009 Precious Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

  1. $94
A stupendous Pinot Noir, showing how beautifully this vineyard performs in the remote Sonoma Coast above Fort Ross. Williams Selyem’s last few vintages of Precious Mountain have been extraordinary, but this 2009 tops them all. The wine is as light as a feather in the mouth, modest in alcohol and delicately feminine, like pure satin. However, few Pinot Noirs in the…  — S.H.  (2/1/2012)
98
points

Williams Selyem 2008 Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

  • Cellar Selection
  • Online Exclusive
  1. $100
Top 100 Cellar Selections 2011
This is the best of the winery’s new releases, both for drinking now and for cellaring. Combines power and elegance, with upscale flavors of cherries, currants, cola, rhubarbs, dried herbs and oak, wrapped into devastatingly rich tannins and a perfect touch of acidity. Should age well for 10 years.  — S.H.  (2/1/2011)
98
points

Williams Selyem 2007 Precious Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

  • Online Exclusive
  1. $90
Ripe and delicious right out of the bottle, although it will age well. Made from a vineyard on the true Sonoma Coast, in the remote Fort Ross area, it’s fabulously rich in cherry, framboise and red currant flavors, with intriguing waves of anise, bacon and sweet, vanilla-scented smoky sandalwood. There’s a foresty taste, too, suggesting dried pine needles. The…  — S.H.  (2/1/2010)
97
points

Williams Selyem 2008 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

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  1. $72
Dazzles with richness, offering waves of candied, tart raspberry and cherry fruit, Dr. Pepper, exotic Indian spice, rose petal and sandalwood flavors, as well as undefinable feral things. Absolutely dry and high in acidity, with overwhelming complexity, it’s a milestone. Drink now through 2014; could go way beyond.  — S.H.  (2/1/2011)
97
points

Williams Selyem 2009 Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

  • Cellar Selection
  1. $82
A drop-dead gorgeous Pinot Noir that will satisfy everyone from Burgundy fans to diehard Cabernet cultists. Show an elegant complexity and silky texture that define great California Pinot Noir, yet with a powerful impact that emphasizes raspberries, cherries and blueberries. Brilliant acidity and tannins provide the perfect framework on this wine that’s drinkable…  — S.H.  (2/1/2012)
97
points

Williams Selyem 2007 Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

  • Cellar Selection
  • Online Exclusive
  1. $78
Not showing well now due to the tannins. It’s dry and tough, with a resistance to the richness. Yet the core of flavor is enormous. Shows concentrated, flashy flavors of cherry marmalade, raspberry, orange blossom, cola, licorice, rose tea and spices that go on and on and continue to develop in the glass. The texture is pure silk and satin. Needs 4–6 years to…  — S.H.  (2/1/2010)
97
points

Williams Selyem 2006 Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)

  • Editors' Choice
  1. $75
Accomplishes the impossible, stunning the palate with the most delicious flavors imaginable, yet with the structural integrity to age. Those flavors intoxicate with cherry pie, black raspberry tart, tangerine zest and mocha, finished with exotic spicebox and sweet, charred new oak smokiness, all enveloped in sheer silkiness and ultrarefined tannins. Drink now–2018.  — S.H.  (3/1/2009)
Showing items 1 through 8 of 229