2023 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Unoaked
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The 2023 Chardonnay Unoaked is a pleasant, easygoing wine to drink now and over the next few years. Dried lemon peel, chamomile, pear and dried herbs are nicely layered. The 2023 offers modest depth and complexity, but the long finish compensates to some degree. This just vanishes with air.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay is blended from several vineyards, including Martaella, Olivet Lane and the Williams Selyem Estate Vineyard, and a combination of older vines, aromatic clones and shrewd winemaking allow this wine to overdeliver. Fermented in stainless steel with regular bâtonnage, it has pure, inviting aromas of golden apples, green guava, lemongrass, bread dough, flint and honey. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and textural with expressive flavors. It’s foiled seamlessly by vibrant acidity (it did not undergo malolactic conversion) and has a long, fragrant finish. 1,490 cases were made.
The 2023 Chardonnay Unoaked is unoaked, although it has more texture than you might expect, with a pithy fresh texture to its pretty notes of white flowers, citrus blossom, melon, and lime cordial. Medium-bodied, it has a rounded and chalky feel, with a clean and fresh floral finish. It’s perfect to drink now or over the next several years. 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.