Winemaker Notes
This sophomore effort of this blend yielded a darker wine with a bit more concentration and texture. Aromas of blackberries, Santa Rosa plums, white truffle, anise and roses were my first impressions. The nose opened up later with a nice toasted-almond and barrel spice that led right into flavors of darker berry fruits, sage, espresso, fennel and earth across my palate. In 2009 the tannins were much more silky and rich, but also greatly complemented by the wonderful natural acidity. Winemaker Bob Cabral says, "I will be ageing many of these bottles for at least 5-6 years in my cellar!"
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This gorgeous wine is rich and supple, displaying ripe, plummy, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's intense and spicy, pure and focused, with a long, pure, lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.
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Wine Enthusiast
A rich, spicy wine, marked by cinnamon and clove-accented raspberries, cherries, cola and mushrooms, as well as a bit of funk. Lovely and complex, it’s a blend of various vineyards whose fruit Williams Selyem sources in the northwestern Russian River Valley.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.