Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is always one of Williams Selyem’s most complex, interesting wines. The ‘05 is especially layered, showing a silky, elegant mouthfeel that frames extraordinarily lush flavors of cherries, cola, pomegranates, root beer and dusty Asian spices.
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Wine Spectator
Complex aromas of black cherry, raspberry and floral berry blossom have a touch of light oak and a hint of anise and sage. Firm and concentrated. Best to cellar short term.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2005 Pinot Noir Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard exhibits a deep ruby color as well as pure notes of wet stones (reminiscent of a Bordeaux Graves), red currants, cranberries, and sweet strawberries. It possesses a luscious texture, good acidity, and impressive purity as well as length.
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.