Winemaker Notes
Terrific Pinot Noir perfume jumps from the glass with notes of dark cherry and sassafras. Wood spices of nutmeg and allspice are layered into the fabric of this classic wine. Supported by complexing aromas of tangerine and dried herbs, the Westside Road Neighbors is multi-faceted. In the mouth, the wine offers verve and tenacity with red fruits and citrus flavors wrapped up with a refined tannin structure and a finish of minerals.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors has ripe aromatics of sun-ripened cherry fruit, cola spice, and sweet cedar. The palate floods with primary fruit, candied flowers, and forest floor.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2020 Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir shows an excellent combination of power and finesse. TASTING NOTES: This wine excels with aromas and flavors of crushed berries and oak. Enjoy it with a grilled, well-marbled ribeye. ((Tasted: January 24, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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.