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.
Light red in color. Almost translucent. 13.9% ABV. Sourced from Calegari, Foss, Terra de Promissio, Drake Estate and Williams Selyem Estate Vineyards. Pretty nose of red fruits, cola and flowers. Light to medium body with ample acidity. Fresh, crisp and vibrant. Cherry, cranberry, iron and minerals on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Light and delicate Pinot Noir that could not be more delicious. Drink this while you wait a little longer on the single vineyard designates. Best over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 91 points.
Williams Selyem can periodically be found at retail, but the mailing list is highly recommended. The 2022 version of this wine will be released next Spring and be priced around $45.
I wrote about Williams Selyem previously in Reflections on Two Days in Russian River Valley and The 2020 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings.