Williams Selyem

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

9.218 ratings
9.28 pro ratings
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Tobin Trevarthen

The last of the ‘04 batch. Still holding court with strawberry pie meets caramel goodness. Has really soften over the years, so a bit on the mellow side.

The last of the ‘04 batch. Still holding court with strawberry pie meets caramel goodness. Has really soften over the years, so a bit on the mellow side.

Dec 22nd, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had a a fair amount of older Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs, this one is the most different. It seems more extracted and darker than the bright; cherries, strawberries & pomegranate Pinots from them that we’ve had a run on over several years.

The noses reveals, deep, dark, ripe; currants, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries with hints of blue fruit. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity, sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and just a hint of violets.

The body is medium full. It has gorgeous mouthfeel. There are still round, softened, teethe & tarry tannins here. Tannins were in the bottle neck which, is not always traditional even in older Pinot’s. The structure, tension, length and balance are really nice with another three to five years of good drinking ahead. It’s right around its peak. Perhaps, just the other side of the bell curve. Dark, ripe; currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries, cooked rhubarb, raisins with more blue fruit showing vs. the nose. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and violets beaming on the finish. The acidity is excellent. The long finish is; ruby, ripe, elegant, gorgeous, extremely well balanced and persists on the palate with warm, dark spice.

IMHO, Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs do not score well early and really shine at 10 years plus in many vintages. They are a Sonoma Pinot pioneer and a gold standard comparison for other producers and Pinot lovers to take note.

Photos of; Williams Selyem winery, Sofia’s great handy work with flowers and one of our two raised garden boxes. 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹🌼🥀 🌽 🥒🥬 🍅

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! Hope you are grilling & enjoying some of your favorite wines.

I’ve had a a fair amount of older Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs, this one is the most different. It seems more extracted and darker than the bright; cherries, strawberries & pomegranate Pinots from them that we’ve had a run on over several years.

The noses reveals, deep, dark, ripe; currants, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries with hints of blue fruit. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity, sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and just a hint of violets.

The body is medium full. It has gorgeous mouthfeel. There are still round, softened, teethe & tarry tannins here. Tannins were in the bottle neck which, is not always traditional even in older Pinot’s. The structure, tension, length and balance are really nice with another three to five years of good drinking ahead. It’s right around its peak. Perhaps, just the other side of the bell curve. Dark, ripe; currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries, cooked rhubarb, raisins with more blue fruit showing vs. the nose. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and violets beaming on the finish. The acidity is excellent. The long finish is; ruby, ripe, elegant, gorgeous, extremely well balanced and persists on the palate with warm, dark spice.

IMHO, Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs do not score well early and really shine at 10 years plus in many vintages. They are a Sonoma Pinot pioneer and a gold standard comparison for other producers and Pinot lovers to take note.

Photos of; Williams Selyem winery, Sofia’s great handy work with flowers and one of our two raised garden boxes. 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹🌼🥀 🌽 🥒🥬 🍅

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! Hope you are grilling & enjoying some of your favorite wines.

May 26th, 2019
Tobin Trevarthen

Holding up well. Smooth Strawberry, raspberry. Hints of caramel, vanilla.

Holding up well. Smooth Strawberry, raspberry. Hints of caramel, vanilla.

Aug 3rd, 2018
BurgundyFan

This wine blind would be a very strong candidate to beat Leroy NSG 2004. Sour cherry, fresh despite its 24 years old, flavors are superior to the palate. Great wine

This wine blind would be a very strong candidate to beat Leroy NSG 2004. Sour cherry, fresh despite its 24 years old, flavors are superior to the palate. Great wine

Jun 21st, 2016
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Lots of mid fruit pleasure. Balance of fruit and acidity. Drinking really well.

Lots of mid fruit pleasure. Balance of fruit and acidity. Drinking really well.

Jun 20th, 2015
Rachel Voorhees

2004 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir

2004 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir

Jan 21st, 2014
romo

4th place. Yummy oak and furry jewelry box. On the downslope.

4th place. Yummy oak and furry jewelry box. On the downslope.

May 20th, 2024
Alec

Holding up so well. Another couple years in it for sure.

Holding up so well. Another couple years in it for sure.

Mar 19th, 2018
Austin Chang

Typical of WS. Good fruits light but strangely creamy.

Typical of WS. Good fruits light but strangely creamy.

Oct 11th, 2014
Ryo Hayashi

さすがに2004ともなると、かなり熟成感が味わえる。
後味に果実味が残るのが特徴。
かなり美味い!

さすがに2004ともなると、かなり熟成感が味わえる。
後味に果実味が残るのが特徴。
かなり美味い!

Sep 4th, 2014