Williams Selyem
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).
Williams Selyem 2006 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
- $42
Although this Pinot is a bit thin, it does offer plenty of elegant sophistication. The structure shows off the Sonoma Coast, with vibrant acidity and a clean, dry mouthfeel. The flavors are of cherries with bitter skins, pomegranates, rhubarb, cola and peppery spices. Drink now.
— S.H.
(9/1/2008)
Williams Selyem 2007 Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)
- $34
A little direct, but very pleasant. Silky and light in the mouth, it shows easy flavors of cola, cherries, roasted almonds and caramel. Drink now.
— S.H.
(9/1/2009)
Williams Selyem 2008 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
- $46
Offers hints of the winery’s great vineyard-designates, but seems overpriced for what you get. The wine is dry and crisp and fruity, with cherry, pomegranate, rhubarb, cola and cedar flavors. Drink through the next few years.
— S.H.
(8/1/2010)
Williams Selyem 2008 Coastlands Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
- Online Exclusive
- $72
Rather heavy in texture, a big, full-bodied and tannic Pinot that seems overly extracted and oaky. The vintage was very difficult due to early September heat waves, and everything depended on exquisite timing. It’s very good, despite the rusticity. Drink now through 2012.
— S.H.
(2/1/2011)
Williams Selyem 2010 Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $69
A blend of the winery’s various vineyard sources in the Russian River Valley, this is soft and rich, with berry, cherry and oak flavors. Performance wise, it’s a little off from the past several years—no doubt due to the challenges of the difficult 2010 vintage—so drink up.
— S.H.
(9/1/2012)
Williams Selyem 2001 Vista Verde Vineyard Late Harvest Gewürztraminer (San Benito County)
- $32
Exceptionally sweet, with 16% residual sugar, and balanced with a hefty dose of citrusy acids. The apricot, orange honey and toffee flavors, however, need to be more concentrated to earn a higher score.
— S.H.
(5/1/2004)
Williams Selyem 2006 Forchini Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $48
The winery’s Forchini bottling varies greatly from vintage to vintage. Sometimes it’s overripe, sometimes balanced. This ’06 tends more toward the fat, early drinking side, like the 2004. It’s quite soft and sweet in currants, chocolate and root beer flavors, with some heat from high alcohol.
— S.H.
(3/1/2009)
Williams Selyem 2005 Drake Estate Vineyard Blanc de Noir Sparkling (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $50
Sparkling wine from Williams Selyem? Yes, in tiny quantities, in this case only 100 cases. The wine is dry and rich in lime, raspberry, mineral and yeast flavors, but a little rough, lacking the finesse you want in a fine bubbly.
— S.H.
(4/1/2011)
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