2008 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors
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Tasting notes
Similar in color, the 2008 Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors displays notes of loamy soil and underbrush mixed with red currants, cherry and spice. It is medium-bodied and slightly more supple than the Eastside, but seductive. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. With thirteen separate Pinot Noirs, Williams-Selyem has something for just about everybody. Eight of these Pinot Noirs hail from relatively well-known sites in the Russian River and three come from the Sonoma Coast, while the two outliers are the Weir Vineyard from Yorkville Highlands and the Ferrington Vineyard from the Anderson Valley. Three well-regarded vineyards of the Sonoma Coast comprise part of this impressive Pinot Noir portfolio from Williams-Selyem. With eight Russian River bottlings, the two with the largest availability are the Eastside Road Neighbors and Westside Road Neighbors, which are blends from different fruit sources. The most underrated wines in the entire portfolio are the Zinfandels that come from winemaker Bob Cabrol. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Saturated red. Captivating aromas of cherry-cola, pepper, Indian spices, cocoa powder and sandalwood. Then intense, spicy and penetrating in the mouth, with vibrant raspberry and wild strawberry flavors dominating. Finishes pungent, spicy and long, with a palate-staining whiplash of flavor. This calls for another five years of aging.
About the producer
Williams Selyem is an iconic Russian River Valley winery best known for its Pinot Noir. Producing restrained yet classically Californian expressions of the heartbreak grape (as well as a host of other wines), the property has gone from pioneer to one of the region’s standard-bearers.