Williams Selyem
Sonoma County Pinot Noir
Sonoma County, California, USA
Jeff Mangahas, winemaker for Williams Selyem, joined our tasting of 11 Pinots from the 2010 vintage.
Jeff Mangahas, winemaker for Williams Selyem, joined our tasting of 11 Pinots from the 2010 vintage.
Jul 3rd, 2021
Tried having this yesterday but, couldn’t bring it in to Nepenthe per usual due to their heavy Covid-19 business loses. Totally understandable. But, as Phil Collins sang, “Tonight’s The Night!”
The nose reveals dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with raspberries hovering the edges of the glass. Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark(er) berry cola, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, soft woodiness, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender.
The palate is; ripe, ruby, round and lush. The mouthfeel is gorgeous & sexy. Still showing some tarry, teethed tannins. The length, structure, balance & length have just arrived with another 8-10 years of good life ahead. Dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, incredible blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with classically perfect Williams Selyem raspberries . Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark berry cola, steeped fruit tea, used coffee grounds, some dark chocolate, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, wood shaving dust, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, mint, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender. The acidity is round, voluptuous and perfect. The ripe, ruby, lush, well, knitted, balanced fruit & earth and polished long finish is glorious and persists endlessly into soft, dark spice with just the right amount of gentle heat.
Williams Selyem Pinots really start to be special at the 10 years plus.
This will continue to improve over the next 3-4 years and start a slow decline.
Also, appreciate they kept the ABV under 14%.
Photos of, Williams Selyem Winery & Tasting Room, designer barrel rack, tasting area where we tasted and one of their rolling hillside vineyards.
Tried having this yesterday but, couldn’t bring it in to Nepenthe per usual due to their heavy Covid-19 business loses. Totally understandable. But, as Phil Collins sang, “Tonight’s The Night!”
The nose reveals dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with raspberries hovering the edges of the glass. Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark(er) berry cola, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, soft woodiness, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender.
The palate is; ripe, ruby, round and lush. The mouthfeel is gorgeous & sexy. Still showing some tarry, teethed tannins. The length, structure, balance & length have just arrived with another 8-10 years of good life ahead. Dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, incredible blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with classically perfect Williams Selyem raspberries . Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark berry cola, steeped fruit tea, used coffee grounds, some dark chocolate, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, wood shaving dust, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, mint, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender. The acidity is round, voluptuous and perfect. The ripe, ruby, lush, well, knitted, balanced fruit & earth and polished long finish is glorious and persists endlessly into soft, dark spice with just the right amount of gentle heat.
Williams Selyem Pinots really start to be special at the 10 years plus.
This will continue to improve over the next 3-4 years and start a slow decline.
Also, appreciate they kept the ABV under 14%.
Photos of, Williams Selyem Winery & Tasting Room, designer barrel rack, tasting area where we tasted and one of their rolling hillside vineyards.
Wine blogger doxologywine.com; Freelance Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers) Doxology Wine Consulting
I now understand why this place has the reputation that it does. Red fruit, mushroom, forest floor. Clean and balanced. I'm also pretty happy with the photography here, if I don't say so myself.
I now understand why this place has the reputation that it does. Red fruit, mushroom, forest floor. Clean and balanced. I'm also pretty happy with the photography here, if I don't say so myself.
1 person found it helpfulOct 12th, 2013Hanging in with still bright fruit notes. Still youthful.
Hanging in with still bright fruit notes. Still youthful.
May 6th, 2022
David T below hits many nails on the head, though Anthony Galloni only gave this wine and 87 while on staff at the wine Advocate and said it would likely be dead by 2016 . . I guess that’s the reason I’m not subscribing to his publication —he’s way off IMHO . . in any case lovely wine lots of staying power, rich ripe dark fruits, firm acidity —not quite as firm as the 2019 Anthill Farms Harmony Lane also from Sonoma Coast but that is only a few months and bottle so we will see how they match up along the way . . tonight paired with a near perfectly seared duck breast and some Yukon Gold smashed potatoes crisped in the rendered duck fat . . pretty good meal for a Tuesday night😁
David T below hits many nails on the head, though Anthony Galloni only gave this wine and 87 while on staff at the wine Advocate and said it would likely be dead by 2016 . . I guess that’s the reason I’m not subscribing to his publication —he’s way off IMHO . . in any case lovely wine lots of staying power, rich ripe dark fruits, firm acidity —not quite as firm as the 2019 Anthill Farms Harmony Lane also from Sonoma Coast but that is only a few months and bottle so we will see how they match up along the way . . tonight paired with a near perfectly seared duck breast and some Yukon Gold smashed potatoes crisped in the rendered duck fat . . pretty good meal for a Tuesday night😁
Jun 9th, 2021
Drinking well. Blackberry and dark cherry notes. Bold and nice alcohol, balanced acid.
Drinking well. Blackberry and dark cherry notes. Bold and nice alcohol, balanced acid.
Jun 11th, 2016Didn't like it for the first 20 mins. After that it started getting better and better. Drink now.
Didn't like it for the first 20 mins. After that it started getting better and better. Drink now.
Nov 28th, 2015