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.
Bacigalupi Vineyard is situated on Westside Road, a few miles south of the town of Healdsburg. The Zinfandel vines date back to the 1950’s.
Dark red in color. 15.1% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, citrus, baking spices and flowers. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Loaded with rich, elegant fruits. Cherry, cranberry, blood orange and pepper on the palate. The finish is long, warm and supple. Charming Zinfandel that displays all the best qualities of the Russian River Valley. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 94 points.
Williams Selyem can periodically be found at retail, but the mailing list is highly recommended. The 2024 version of this wine should be released this Fall. If you are a member of the Williams Selyem mailing list you would be well advised to buy any Zinfandel they offer on their next mailer including the Bacigalupi.