David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Not exactly pizza wine but, I bought six bottles of this 02 Williams Selyem for $35-$36 w/ tax & fees recently on the secondary market. I have enjoyed a number of their 02’s for many years…such a great Pinot Noir Sonoma vintage. Especially, for WS. I feel for the seller who actually barely might have broke even or even lost a couple of bucks on this sale after fees.

Still spectacular after 18 plus years in bottle. She is still strutting her stuff.

Visually you look at the color in the glass, it’s silty & cloudy.

The body is ripe, rich, smooth & shining integration. The fruits bright, somewhat candied, floral & showing shades of stewed. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate juice, slightly dry cranberries, raspberries with singing purple & blue fruits as it sets. Some dark, rich, dark forest floor with dry leaves & twigs w/ tree sap, vanillin, nutmeg, cinnamon, dark spices, notes of dry herbaceousness - bay leaf, sage & marjoram, black licorice, mixed berry cola, powdery limestone & dry rocks, just a hint of pepper, grilled, savory meats, fresh tobacco leaves, red, blue, dark flowers laid in a field of violets. The acidity is like a spring shower. The finish is rich, ruby, well knitted & balanced with length & polish for days.

Its subtle knock, a touch hot at the beginning with it fading in the second glass.

The 02 is singing with another 3-5 years of good drinking ahead. It’s new world with Burgundy threads.

For me, this WS Pinot Noir is seriously peaking. Best bottle of the 02 WS Sonoma Coast I have enjoyed over the 12-15 bottles I’ve had.

Definitely pushing 94. I stole these amazing bottles. Thank you universe. — 9 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Totally unique single vineyard Pinot Noir. Like a hybrid of California and Oregon Pinot. Aromas of grape bubble gum (in a good way), black tea and cola. Brambly red berry fruit flavors with hints of mineral and violets. Bright acidity. Extremely luscious. Quite interesting. — 10 days ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

2017 Vintage -(out of 375ml)Sonoma Coast - nice rose petal, cherry, leather , subtle oak , well crafted — 3 days ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Reddish in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose with cherries, ripe strawberries, raspberries, light oak, vegetables, earth and spices.

Medium-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, bing cherries, oak, wild flowers, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast is drinking nicely already. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Light and approachable.

This Single Vineyard is showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

After after an hour of airtime, it gets earthier, with some bitter herb notes. Would be nice to revisit it in 2 years.

Good right out of the bottle and good with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A very small production of only 5 barrels.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$42. — 7 days ago

Shay A

9.3

Even though I’m a big fan of Ferren’s Frei Rd Chardonnay, this was my first Frei Rd Pinot.

Not sure of normal experiences here, but the richness here seems to fall in between Rivers Marie (love) and Aubert (just so so for me). Darker color in the glass…bit of a purple tinge to it. Aromatically it sports potpourri, violets, underripe black cherries, underripe blue fruit and some cedar. Initially, the front palate seems like it will be heavy based on all of the flavors but it turns really elegant. Dark chocolate, a slight roasted character, and spicy fruits. With RM, I get that orange zest note, and with Aubert, I get more alcohol and kirsch. My in between note here is more ripe pomegranate than either of the others. These probably need 5-7yrs from vintage to be in a good spot. Followed over two days and stayed consistent. — 15 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.0

Very, very 🍓 today, our last bottle of the 2017. Delicious.

An early Father's Day with my parents, so we don't have to compete with my Sister & Nephew's in 24 hours, plus we'll have the better wine. 🤞 — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

On the nose rich black cherry also red and blue fruits - raspberry and blueberry Barb thought. Very aromatic. Medium weight palate with a sweetish flavour of red fruits - more fruit driven than savoury on the palate. I don’t believe this will drink better than it does now but will hold up for several years at this level. The intensity of this wine and location to the ocean together with the aromas and richness of flavour reminds me of Huon Valley Tasmanian wines like Home Hill Estate - both wonderful new world Pinot Noir. — a day ago

Ron R

9.4

Wifey is out of commission, so to speak, so I had to hunt and provide. Locked in on jerk chicken with roasted veggies.
She wanted something light in the glass (relative to cab), so I opted for Aston. Nose presents cinnamon. Mid palate is gnarly, rustic and textured. Loads of barrel toast and a hint of tart cherries, with prominent acidity. Finish keeps going… we may have under clubbed our rating. — 15 hours ago

Norman Gennaro

9.8

Seriously this good once it opens up. I had a Father’s Day cocktail bar the restaurant but had to bail on it after tasting this. — 12 hours ago

with Nicholas

Jason Brater

9.2

Cherry, cola, raspberry, black tea, soft tannin. Really nice. Day 2 raspberries, black tea and black pepper w more pronounced tannins. — 8 days ago

with Heather