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.
John and Kathe Dyson, who purchased the winery from Burt and Ed in 1998. The Faiveley family, a prominent Burgundy wine producer, acquired a majority stake from the Dysons in 2024. Winemaker Jeff Mangahas continues to pursue Burt and Ed’s original mission for world class Pinot Noir without compromise. Other varieties bottled at Williams Selyem include Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc.
Weir Vineyard is located in the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County and has been a source for Williams Selyem since 1999.
Light crimson in color. 13.7% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, citrus, cloves and rose petals. Light to medium body with exquisite acidity. Elegant and earthy. Cherry, cranberry, blood orange and minerals on the palate. The finish is long and supple. Weir has always presented as more Burgundian the much of the Pinot Noir lineup at Williams Selyem and this vintage seems to embody that. Best over the next several years.
My rating: 92 points.
Williams Selyem can periodically be found at retail, but the mailing list is highly recommended. The 2024 version of this wine will be released next year and be priced around $75.