2008 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Peay Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Medium ruby, with complex aromatics reminiscent of a premier cru from the Cote de Beaune, the strawberry, black cherry and foresty notes of the 2008 Pinot Noir Peay Vineyard are hard to resist. One of the softer, lusher styles from Williams-Selyem, this wine is medium-bodied, elegant, restrained, but beautifully fruited and seductive. Drink it over the next 5-7 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
Deep red. Complex, highly aromatic nose combines vibrant red berries, cherry compote, floral oils, Asian spices and a whiff of tarragon. Juicy and very intense but surprisingly light on its feet; spreads out to stain the palate without any impression of weight or warmth. This energetic wine should put on weight in a couple of years but is pretty intriguing now. Very pure pinot with fully integrated tannins and excellent finishing energy and lift.
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.