Williams Selyem
Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
I have posted notes on many Williams Selyem Pinots, but only my second from their Calegari Vineyard.
I have claimed tirelessly that WS is one of the very top Ca Pinots Noir producers. However, they aren’t until they have this kind of age and older. When enjoyed young, they are good but not brilliant. Like now! It takes cellaring to get there.
I haven’t tasted any of the vintages since Domaine Faiveley bought and took over and started making them in June 2024. Although, they carried forward some of the WS staff as consultants. My hope is they won’t change the style drastically. They are a red burgundy producer and I enjoy their burgundies with the same age. So…🤞
2011 was critically acclaimed not good for Cabernets, but think they flushed out better with age than young. Pinots from 2011, for me, have never been an issue.
The nose is; dark to mid berry fruits, brambly, tree sap, grilled meats- pork, hint of smoke, moist herbs, cola & dark to red excellent florals.
The palate is ripe, lush, brambly dark fruits. There is a dark core of them surrounded by dry twig, dark chocolate & mocha powder. There is some velvety tannin profile here. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum to pudding, black cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries with pomegranate, blueberry hues with haunting raspberries. Shades of eucalyptus, tree sap, smoke, grilled meats, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark mid spices w/ some heat, anise crawling to black licorice, mid berry cola, warm, muddy, grey clay, limestone marl, volcanics, dry river stone, dry, crush rocks, dry top soil, tumble weed, dry tobacco w/ ash, soft, used leather, just a hint of lead pencil, iron pan, fresh to withering; dark, red, blue florals with violets and a touch of lavender, excellent, rainfall acidity with a well; knitted, made, balanced, nicely tensioned/structured, elegantly, perfectly polished finish that lasts ninety seconds to two-minutes landing on spice, clays and beautiful earthy minerals.
I have posted notes on many Williams Selyem Pinots, but only my second from their Calegari Vineyard.
I have claimed tirelessly that WS is one of the very top Ca Pinots Noir producers. However, they aren’t until they have this kind of age and older. When enjoyed young, they are good but not brilliant. Like now! It takes cellaring to get there.
I haven’t tasted any of the vintages since Domaine Faiveley bought and took over and started making them in June 2024. Although, they carried forward some of the WS staff as consultants. My hope is they won’t change the style drastically. They are a red burgundy producer and I enjoy their burgundies with the same age. So…🤞
2011 was critically acclaimed not good for Cabernets, but think they flushed out better with age than young. Pinots from 2011, for me, have never been an issue.
The nose is; dark to mid berry fruits, brambly, tree sap, grilled meats- pork, hint of smoke, moist herbs, cola & dark to red excellent florals.
The palate is ripe, lush, brambly dark fruits. There is a dark core of them surrounded by dry twig, dark chocolate & mocha powder. There is some velvety tannin profile here. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum to pudding, black cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries with pomegranate, blueberry hues with haunting raspberries. Shades of eucalyptus, tree sap, smoke, grilled meats, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark mid spices w/ some heat, anise crawling to black licorice, mid berry cola, warm, muddy, grey clay, limestone marl, volcanics, dry river stone, dry, crush rocks, dry top soil, tumble weed, dry tobacco w/ ash, soft, used leather, just a hint of lead pencil, iron pan, fresh to withering; dark, red, blue florals with violets and a touch of lavender, excellent, rainfall acidity with a well; knitted, made, balanced, nicely tensioned/structured, elegantly, perfectly polished finish that lasts ninety seconds to two-minutes landing on spice, clays and beautiful earthy minerals.
One of two of Sofia’s top two producers we will have tonight for her birthday. Happy Birthday! 🎂🥳🎉 🎈 Still Youthful.
It’s darker, rich, ripe, lush, elegant, mixed berry fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black, juicy plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, slightly liqueured pomegranate. It’s like a berry creamsicle. It is one of the more crazy, good Williams Selyem. Sofia would agree 💯. Mixed berry cola/licorice, semi-sweet, rich, dark soils w/ leaves, limestone marl, delicate volcanics, bay leaves, eucalyptus bark, sandstone, dry brush, a touch of grilled meats, steep teas, hints of dry tobacco, sandalwood, amazing floral of bouquet of nearly every color except white, excellent, spring shower acidity and extremely well; knitted, balanced, structured, polished finish for days.
One of two of Sofia’s top two producers we will have tonight for her birthday. Happy Birthday! 🎂🥳🎉 🎈 Still Youthful.
It’s darker, rich, ripe, lush, elegant, mixed berry fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black, juicy plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, slightly liqueured pomegranate. It’s like a berry creamsicle. It is one of the more crazy, good Williams Selyem. Sofia would agree 💯. Mixed berry cola/licorice, semi-sweet, rich, dark soils w/ leaves, limestone marl, delicate volcanics, bay leaves, eucalyptus bark, sandstone, dry brush, a touch of grilled meats, steep teas, hints of dry tobacco, sandalwood, amazing floral of bouquet of nearly every color except white, excellent, spring shower acidity and extremely well; knitted, balanced, structured, polished finish for days.
Decanted for 1 hour before drinking. The nose was incredibly expressive with flowers, a pie like cherry, intense red fruit and cola. The mouthfeel was classic Pinot, with a lighter frame and viscosity that surprisingly is not as intense as the nose. But it was a great bottle
Decanted for 1 hour before drinking. The nose was incredibly expressive with flowers, a pie like cherry, intense red fruit and cola. The mouthfeel was classic Pinot, with a lighter frame and viscosity that surprisingly is not as intense as the nose. But it was a great bottle
1 person found it helpfulMar 27th, 2015Caroline had this 12 years ago
Caroline had this 12 years ago
1 person found it helpfulApr 19th, 2014Light for a WS. Strong blackberry.
Light for a WS. Strong blackberry.
1 person found it helpfulDec 6th, 2013
Juicy, bright, cardamom, rose petal. Great example of RR Pinot with age. A real accomplishment in a tough vintage.
Juicy, bright, cardamom, rose petal. Great example of RR Pinot with age. A real accomplishment in a tough vintage.
May 16th, 2017
A truly stunning Pinot! Almost perfect from start to incredible finish.
A truly stunning Pinot! Almost perfect from start to incredible finish.
Jan 28th, 2018
Delicious with bright berries & a hint of cocoa. Love this wine.
Delicious with bright berries & a hint of cocoa. Love this wine.
Mar 27th, 2017