Winemaker Notes
Ripe red fruit and Amarena cherry are highlighted in this classic Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Dried flowers mix with mocha, nutmeg, and allspice offer depth. Sourced from 6 blocks within the Ferrington Ranch, this dynamic mix of clones harmonizes to create a wine with focus that typifies this unique terroir. Red fruits dominate the palate and are counterbalanced with refreshing acidity and hints of bergamot. The Ferrington Pinot Noir finishes with a subtle earthy loaminess and a hint of Earl Grey tea.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Williams Selyem Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the vintage's top wines. Already showing its early greatness, I expect this wine to gain weight dimensions, and complexity over the next decade. TASTING NOTES: This wine is incredibly integrated. Its aromas and flavors of dazzling ripe berries and savory spices lingering long and pleasingly on the palate. Pair it with a garlic-rosemary infused, slow-roasted leg of lamb. (Tasted: July 30, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Connoisseurs' Guide
A little closed in at first but slowly opening to reveal optimally ripened, black cherry fruit along with a bit of distinctive, slightly savory, woody spice not found in its Russian River siblings, this ample young Pinot Noir builds and builds on the palate with youthful energy to spare. Even though it teases with the first inklings of velvety texture that will become ever more evident with time, it has the structural backbone to age famously. However good it may be now, and it is very good, it is a wine that we would relegate to the cellar for no fewer than another three or four years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard is youthfully shy on the nose, opening to black cherry, woodsmoke, loamy earth, wet bark, stewed black tea leaves and dried herbs. The palate is light to medium-bodied with restrained fruit and lots of earthy character, firmly framed by chalky tannins and great opposing freshness, finishing long with loads of spicy nuance. 844 cases produced.
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Wine Spectator
Mouthfilling flavors of dark cherry, plum tart and blackberry are supported by medium-grained tannins and bright acidity. The finely textured finish offers sandalwood notes and hints of cream, as well as minerally accents. Drink now through 2024.
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.