Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby red color with aromas of black fruits, cedar and baking spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry with cola, floral and sweet cinnamon herb spice notes. Full-bodied, fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, toasty oak, herbs and a savory earthy mineral character. Nice! — 12 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir “Westside Road Neighbors” – Vintage 2023
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An expressive and terroir-driven Pinot Noir from the revered Westside Road corridor of the Russian River Valley, a stretch synonymous with depth, precision, and complexity. This 2023 release from Williams Selyem showcases the hallmark elegance of the estate but with a more structured, site-focused personality.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe cherry, red currant, and plum compote intertwined with notes of black tea, baking spice, and subtle earthy undertones. Hints of cola and dried rose petals emerge as the wine opens, adding nuance to its aromatic range.

Mouthfeel
Texturally denser than the core RRV bottling, with a refined backbone of tannin and a sense of gravitas on the palate. Medium-plus body with impressive balance, equal parts finesse and muscle. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-tinged, reflecting the complexity of its vineyard sources.

Food Pairings
Perfect for roast duck with cherry glaze, wild mushroom tart, or seared salmon with soy-ginger glaze. The structure also pairs beautifully with richer poultry or pork dishes.

Verdict
A Pinot Noir of precision and presence, more grounded and terroir-driven than its softer sibling. “Westside Road Neighbors” is the connoisseur’s pick: powerful yet graceful, and built for cellaring.

Did You Know?
The “Westside Road Neighbors” cuvée blends fruit from several prestigious vineyards located along one of Sonoma’s most famous Pinot corridors, where fog and afternoon sun create the perfect microclimate for depth and elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This Pinot stands out for its balance of structure and soul. A wine that feels both intellectual and emotional, it invites reflection while still being effortlessly enjoyable. — a month ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Medium ruby color. Aromas of cherry cola, lavender, caramel and cocoa. Ridiculously amazing! Soft delicate flavors or cherry and black tea finish. — a year ago

with Quentin

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I’ve had better Napa Cabernets, but not many. From magnum.

This is elegance refined.

Black currants, black berries, black raspberries, both plums into pudding, black cherries, strawberries, raspberry hues, mid berry cola/licorice, mocha powder, dark chocolate brownies, layered baking spices, soft spices w/ a bit of a punch, caramel, anise to black licorice, dry tobacco & used leather, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry herbs, touch of eucalyptus, dark withering to candied flowers, grand, round acidity, lush, round, balanced, knitted, elegant, smartly polished finish that last minutes and falls on malt ball, softened earth & spice.

Minus a point for a hint of bandaid on the nose that didn’t affect the palate. — 22 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Medium ruby color. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and hints of red licorice. Cherry and cola on the palate, with a black tea finish. Paired nicely with pulled pork sandwiches.

🏅91 Points - Wine Spectator — 4 months ago

John Willison

9.1

Crushed red and blue fruit, cherry cola, sweet tannins. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Martinelli family has been farming in Sonoma County since 1860. Deep Ruby color with aromas of red berry fruit and sweet spices. On the palate ripe cherry and blueberry flavors, with some dried fruit notes, oak, cinnamon spice and cola tones. Fine mouth coating tannins with balanced acidity carry this rich wine to a long finish. Good now will age a bit! — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

These are so good 15 yrs plus. In fact, insanely given the price point.

Again, a touch of bandaid on the nose that doesn’t affect the palate.

Grainy, fine M+ tannins.

It is rich, lush, ripe; blackberries, plum, dark cherries, raspberry hues & hints of strawberries & blueberries. Berry cola/licorice, mocha, caramel, black licorice, soft, layered baking spices, espresso, oak barrel powder, black tea, tobacco w/ ash, used/soft leather, excellent, soft, dark spices, melted dark chocolate to pudding, crushed rocks powder, dry rock, limestone/sandstone, some dry twig, candied dark, red flowers framed in violets with lavender hints, rainfall acidity, balance for days, nicely structured/tensioned, elegant & smart polish that lasts minutes and falls on fine grain minerals & dry top soil. — 22 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.6

Rich cocoa and cedar over raspberry, cola, and black cherry. Flavorful and smooth. — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruits, cedar and baking spice, aged in 40% new French oak. On the palate flavors of ripe cherry and raspberry with cola and sweet cinnamon spice notes. Full-bodied, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and an earthy mineral character. Nice! — 8 months ago