2014 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
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Tasting notes
This is compositionally similar to the Central Coast cuvée though the spice elements are more pronounced. The notably sleeker medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely texture thanks to the relatively fine-grained tannins while the focused and lingering finish exhibits an appealing sense of vibrancy. I like the complexity as well as the balance though note that this needs at least 3 to 5 years first and should reward as many as 10. *Outstanding*
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Allen Meadows, Burghound
More reviews and scores
The pale to medium ruby-purple colored 2015 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast offers up notions of kirsch, red currant jelly and raspberry coulis with touches of fallen leaves, cinnamon stick and cloves. Medium-bodied with great freshness and vivacity in the mouth, it has soft, satiny tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a cinnamon toast note. (LPB)
The 2016 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is laced with the essence of bright red fruit, blood orange, mint, chalk and white flowers. Tense and vibrant in the glass, with striking inner perfume, the 2016 is terrific. Beams of underlying salinity extend the bright finish in a tense, wiry Pinot that is full of personality. (AG)
A slightly more deeply pitched nose offers up notes of briar, dark Pinot fruit, black cherry and similar spice and tea whiffs. Here too there is good richness, volume and vibrancy to the round, supple and relatively forward medium weight flavors that possess a caressing mouth feel, all wrapped in a slightly firmer if less refined finish. This is more obviously structured and I would advise holding it for at least a few years first. *Outstanding*
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.