Williams Selyem – Zinfandel – 2022
Saitone Estate Vineyard – Russian River Valley – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A thrilling outlier in the Williams Selyem portfolio, an estate known for Pinot Noir yet capable of crafting a Zinfandel of remarkable finesse and depth. Sourced from the historic Saitone Estate Vineyard, one of the Russian River Valley’s most distinctive old-vine sites, this 2022 Zinfandel delivers profound character, balance, and site expression. Easily among my top Sonoma Zins ever tasted.
Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, ripe plum, and wild raspberry woven with notes of cracked pepper, violet, licorice, and warm sage. Subtle layers of cocoa, cedar, and dried herbs add depth without overpowering the purity of the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Full yet refined. Silky tannins, bright RRV acidity, and graceful structure carry the wine with elegance rather than weight. The finish is long, spicy, and beautifully composed, power meets finesse.
Food Pairings
Grilled lamb, BBQ ribs, wood-fired pizza, roasted pork shoulder, or aged Manchego.
Verdict
A distinctive and profound expression of Zinfandel. Williams Selyem elevates the variety with the same precision and restraint applied to their Pinot Noirs. Lovely, polished, and absolutely memorable, this sits firmly among the best Zins in Sonoma. Cheers!
Did You Know?
Saitone Vineyard is home to some of the oldest vines in the Russian River Valley, planted over a century ago. These old, dry-farmed vines produce low yields of intensely flavored fruit, contributing to the depth and finesse that make this bottling so exceptional. — a month ago
So Williams Selyem Pinots should be treated is the same fashion as good burgundy, with age. It will always be somewhat sweeter than red burgundy but nonetheless very good.
This shows w/ an array of mid berry fruits accompanied by some darker fruits. Strawberries, cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, raspberries, hint of rhubarb, blackberries and haunting blueberries. Mid berry cola, red licorice, fruit tea, eucalyptus, pine tar notes, pine tree bark, dark, rich soils/earth, dry herbs, mid, dark spice, dry crushed rocks, dry limestone powder, black pepper notes, dry river stone, dry fall leaves, bright florals that are; red, blue, purple with a mix of red & pink roses, late spring waterfall acidity with extreme balance, tension, structure with elegance & smart polish for days and long sets on tree bark/sap & spice.
Still ascending. — a month ago
[Tasted on December 31, 2025 at Iggy’s in Nashville with Jay]
Dark raspberry fruit with underbrush, cola and spice. Creamy, aromatic wine. — 4 days ago
Well this was nice. Paired well with crab and shrimp risotto and a salad. — 3 days ago
Still rocking at 14 black cherry cinnamon nicely tart great with roasted chicken — 22 days ago
Michael Walker
Excellent blend but surprisingly sparkly for the age - classic fruit forward nose but somewhat suppressed on the palate - not as regal as expected — 19 days ago