Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.0

Still alive and well! Starting to show some tertiary. — a month ago

Ron from VA

9.1

Fabulous art from the hand of Dave Collins. East meets West (fittingly) as this varietally correct build splits Loire & La’Caly. Grass + tropical Citrus meld to a food friendly budget all star. 16$ on special at WF :) — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2019 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is bright and full of energy. Ripe red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, spice, lavender and mint are front and center in this refreshing Russian River Zinfandel. Floral notes and bright acids perk up the finish. This is such a gorgeous wine, and also a great introduction to this lineup. The Russian River Zinfandel is really a Zinfandel-based field blend from Limerick Lane and a handful of other properties, including Banfield, Collins, Sodini and Ponzo. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago

Ron from VA

9.2

This RESERVE offering was opened at 6yrs old and has proven Dave Collins is an east coast premier winemaker. He has overseen the complete development of those 60+ acres and understands how to elevate what the terroir gives. This extended aged Chardonnay had all the class and finesse of an aged burgundy. Beautiful crème brûlée, Fuji apple, and a touch of poached pear on the palate with tremendous mouth feel and an elegant extended finish. I have had some losers in my aging library project, but this was a clear walk off home run! — 2 years ago

Ron from VA

9.2

Beyond expectations! Varietal correctness, full & expressive mouthfeel, and a long finish, ripe tannin finish…easily go 5-8 more years! Well done. At 10.5yrs old, Dave Collins crushed this extraction :) — 3 years ago

Ron from VA

8.9

12 yrs young and LOTS of life left to go. Phenolics and acids are in great place. Flavors are tight and narrow...dense and sinewy, but black cherry cola is the simplest sound bite. 1 more bottle to open in the fall of 2023. This is the basic build and not a reserve selection… But Dave Collins did a good job, again :) — 4 years ago

Jessica Leung Rivera

9.0

Tasted great 10+ yrs old. — 3 years ago

Ron from VA

9.3

***RESERVE*** aged 30months in Fr & Am Oak. This was the first vintage of 3 yr fruit. Dave Collins is a freaking master - one of the East Coasts most prolific winegrowers/vintners! This bottle is DIFFERENT from standard Malbec, and produced from one barrel, IIRC. Hyper concentration with remarkable balance for its Pedigree/Vintage. Meanwhile remaining varietally correct. Opening a special bottle today with charcuterie board and later Mongolian beef over rice. Liquored Black cherries and Anise dance romantical from start to finish. A touch of Smokey Tar on the long finish wrapped in dark Colombian cocoa (75%) — 3 years ago

Nancy Bernstein

9.3

Post quarantine wine tasting with Donna Collins — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Tried having this yesterday but, couldn’t bring it in to Nepenthe per usual due to their heavy Covid-19 business loses. Totally understandable. But, as Phil Collins sang, “Tonight’s The Night!”

The nose reveals dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with raspberries hovering the edges of the glass. Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark(er) berry cola, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, soft woodiness, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender.

The palate is; ripe, ruby, round and lush. The mouthfeel is gorgeous & sexy. Still showing some tarry, teethed tannins. The length, structure, balance & length have just arrived with another 8-10 years of good life ahead. Dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, incredible blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with classically perfect Williams Selyem raspberries . Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark berry cola, steeped fruit tea, used coffee grounds, some dark chocolate, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, wood shaving dust, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, mint, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender. The acidity is round, voluptuous and perfect. The ripe, ruby, lush, well, knitted, balanced fruit & earth and polished long finish is glorious and persists endlessly into soft, dark spice with just the right amount of gentle heat.

Williams Selyem Pinots really start to be special at the 10 years plus.

This will continue to improve over the next 3-4 years and start a slow decline.

Also, appreciate they kept the ABV under 14%.

Photos of, Williams Selyem Winery & Tasting Room, designer barrel rack, tasting area where we tasted and one of their rolling hillside vineyards. — 4 years ago