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 Flax Vineyard is located just south of Williams Selyem, in the Russian River Valley. Three blocks totaling 9 acres make up this unique vineyard which was planted in 1996.
Light crimson in color. 13.8% ABV. Luscious nose of red fruits, baking spice and iron. Medium body with nice acidity. Baked cherries, rhubarb, nutmeg and cola on the palate. The finish is long and spicy. Great showing for a twelve year old Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Ready to drink. Perhaps the wines made by Bob Cabral will end up aging as well as those made by the legendary Burt Williams?
My rating: 92 points.
Williams Selyem can periodically be found at retail, but the mailing list is highly recommended.
I wrote about Williams Selyem recently in Reflections on Two Days in Russian River Valley and The Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.
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