Bottle Notes, Pinot Noir

2014 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma County – Bottle Notes

Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront of the best Pinot Noir regions in the world.

Today, John and Kathe Dyson, who purchased the winery from Burt and Ed in 1998, work with winemaker Jeff Mangahas to carry on the passion for Pinot Noir without compromise. Other varieties bottled at Williams Selyem include Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Chenin Blanc.

The Pinot Noir for this blend was sourced from the Lone Oak, Bucher, Foss, Flax and Terra de Promissio Vineyards.

Ruby red in color. 13.8% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, cloves, baking spices and forest floor. Medium body with ample acidity. Lighter upfront fruit but still compelling. Cherry, cranberry, cola and minerals on the palate. Nice length on the finish. Very good appellation Pinot Noir that is ready to drink. Best over the next year or so.

My rating: 90 points.

Williams Selyem can periodically be found at retail, but the mailing list is highly recommended. The 2018 version of this wine was released earlier this Spring.

I wrote about Williams Selyem previously in Reflections on Two Days in Russian River Valley and The 2018 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.

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