2015 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Another Sonoma Coast release, the 2015 Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard saw one-third whole clusters and 17 months in 62% new French oak (the balance was in once used barrels). Loaded with notions of cedary spice, black peppery, tart cherries, strawberries, and hints of chocolate, it has bright, racy acidity, a core of sweet fruit, and a good finish. It lacks a touch of cohesion but is still a terrific wine. Give it a year or two. I was able to taste a bevy of single vineyard Pinot Noirs (although I think it’s only scratching the surface with regards to their portfolio) from this iconic estate, all of which showed singular, incredibly high-quality characters. Be warned though, these are structured, tannic efforts that are going to benefit from short term cellaring. They’ll be very long lived!
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. Painfully low yields resulted in a flamboyant, extroverted Pinot that will likely shock readers for its sheer intensity. Unctuous, super-ripe fruit, spice, lavender and mint all meld together in this concentrated, dramatic Pinot. The 2015 Coastlands is a bit of a freak, but a very beautiful freak.
Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard gives up a very sexy perfume of violets, licorice, dark chocolate and black raspberries with wafts of forest floor and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is packed with rich, earth-laced and spicy black fruits with plush tannins and enough freshness to keep its dignity. 94 cases were made.
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.