Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aromas of coconut, pomegranate, sweet cherries, and blackberries emerge from the voluptuous, textured, layered 2002 Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard. Surprisingly accessible and plump for a Williams-Selyem Pinot, it can be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Another Williams Selyem wine that tasters had differing opinions about. Several liked its rich array of black cherry, spicy plum and smoky oak, and overall balance and lushness. But one reviewer found it flabby and soft, with some residual sugar. You decide.
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.