2023 Williams Selyem Zinfandel Papera Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2023 Zinfandel Papera Vineyard emerges from one of the top sites in the Russian River Valley. Heady and explosive in the glass, the 2023 offers up a mélange of dark-toned fruit, cloves, lavender and espresso. There's a good deal of new oak, but it works well for this site. This really screams with Zinfandel and Russian River character.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Zinfandel Papera Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1934, and the wine was matured for 13 months in 23% new French oak. The nose is a kaleidoscope of boysenberry and black cherry, lilac, apricot and graham cracker. The full-bodied palate features generous, layered flavors. It’s framed by soft, silky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 460 cases were made.
A deep red/magenta color, the 2023 Zinfandel Papera Vineyard has a pure ripe feel on the nose, with notes of cherry cordial, violet perfume, sweet earth, and orange peel. The palate has a snappy, fresh feel, with bright, refreshing acidity, fine tannins, and more red-fruited highlights that float all the way through the finish. It’s fantastic now and should drink well over the coming 10 years. It was aged in 20% new French oak. These are the spring releases from Williams-Selyem and were tasted with Vice President and Director of Winemaking Jeff Mangahas at the estate in the Russian River Valley.
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.