Williams Selyem
Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
I have posted notes on many Williams Selyem Pinots, but only my second from their Calegari Vineyard.
I have claimed tirelessly that WS is one of the very top Ca Pinots Noir producers. However, they aren’t until they have this kind of age and older. When enjoyed young, they are good but not brilliant. Like now! It takes cellaring to get there.
I haven’t tasted any of the vintages since Domaine Faiveley bought and took over and started making them in June 2024. Although, they carried forward some of the WS staff as consultants. My hope is they won’t change the style drastically. They are a red burgundy producer and I enjoy their burgundies with the same age. So…🤞
2011 was critically acclaimed not good for Cabernets, but think they flushed out better with age than young. Pinots from 2011, for me, have never been an issue.
The nose is; dark to mid berry fruits, brambly, tree sap, grilled meats- pork, hint of smoke, moist herbs, cola & dark to red excellent florals.
The palate is ripe, lush, brambly dark fruits. There is a dark core of them surrounded by dry twig, dark chocolate & mocha powder. There is some velvety tannin profile here. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum to pudding, black cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries with pomegranate, blueberry hues with haunting raspberries. Shades of eucalyptus, tree sap, smoke, grilled meats, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark mid spices w/ some heat, anise crawling to black licorice, mid berry cola, warm, muddy, grey clay, limestone marl, volcanics, dry river stone, dry, crush rocks, dry top soil, tumble weed, dry tobacco w/ ash, soft, used leather, just a hint of lead pencil, iron pan, fresh to withering; dark, red, blue florals with violets and a touch of lavender, excellent, rainfall acidity with a well; knitted, made, balanced, nicely tensioned/structured, elegantly, perfectly polished finish that lasts ninety seconds to two-minutes landing on spice, clays and beautiful earthy minerals.
I have posted notes on many Williams Selyem Pinots, but only my second from their Calegari Vineyard.
I have claimed tirelessly that WS is one of the very top Ca Pinots Noir producers. However, they aren’t until they have this kind of age and older. When enjoyed young, they are good but not brilliant. Like now! It takes cellaring to get there.
I haven’t tasted any of the vintages since Domaine Faiveley bought and took over and started making them in June 2024. Although, they carried forward some of the WS staff as consultants. My hope is they won’t change the style drastically. They are a red burgundy producer and I enjoy their burgundies with the same age. So…🤞
2011 was critically acclaimed not good for Cabernets, but think they flushed out better with age than young. Pinots from 2011, for me, have never been an issue.
The nose is; dark to mid berry fruits, brambly, tree sap, grilled meats- pork, hint of smoke, moist herbs, cola & dark to red excellent florals.
The palate is ripe, lush, brambly dark fruits. There is a dark core of them surrounded by dry twig, dark chocolate & mocha powder. There is some velvety tannin profile here. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum to pudding, black cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries with pomegranate, blueberry hues with haunting raspberries. Shades of eucalyptus, tree sap, smoke, grilled meats, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark mid spices w/ some heat, anise crawling to black licorice, mid berry cola, warm, muddy, grey clay, limestone marl, volcanics, dry river stone, dry, crush rocks, dry top soil, tumble weed, dry tobacco w/ ash, soft, used leather, just a hint of lead pencil, iron pan, fresh to withering; dark, red, blue florals with violets and a touch of lavender, excellent, rainfall acidity with a well; knitted, made, balanced, nicely tensioned/structured, elegantly, perfectly polished finish that lasts ninety seconds to two-minutes landing on spice, clays and beautiful earthy minerals.
One of two of Sofia’s top two producers we will have tonight for her birthday. Happy Birthday! 🎂🥳🎉 🎈 Still Youthful.
It’s darker, rich, ripe, lush, elegant, mixed berry fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black, juicy plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, slightly liqueured pomegranate. It’s like a berry creamsicle. It is one of the more crazy, good Williams Selyem. Sofia would agree 💯. Mixed berry cola/licorice, semi-sweet, rich, dark soils w/ leaves, limestone marl, delicate volcanics, bay leaves, eucalyptus bark, sandstone, dry brush, a touch of grilled meats, steep teas, hints of dry tobacco, sandalwood, amazing floral of bouquet of nearly every color except white, excellent, spring shower acidity and extremely well; knitted, balanced, structured, polished finish for days.
One of two of Sofia’s top two producers we will have tonight for her birthday. Happy Birthday! 🎂🥳🎉 🎈 Still Youthful.
It’s darker, rich, ripe, lush, elegant, mixed berry fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black, juicy plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, slightly liqueured pomegranate. It’s like a berry creamsicle. It is one of the more crazy, good Williams Selyem. Sofia would agree 💯. Mixed berry cola/licorice, semi-sweet, rich, dark soils w/ leaves, limestone marl, delicate volcanics, bay leaves, eucalyptus bark, sandstone, dry brush, a touch of grilled meats, steep teas, hints of dry tobacco, sandalwood, amazing floral of bouquet of nearly every color except white, excellent, spring shower acidity and extremely well; knitted, balanced, structured, polished finish for days.
First time for this vineyard. Loved the vanilla burst. Strawberry, raspberry and cola. A new favorite Selyem.
First time for this vineyard. Loved the vanilla burst. Strawberry, raspberry and cola. A new favorite Selyem.
Apr 6th, 2018
Could not agree with @Antonio Galloni review more! Spot on.
Could not agree with @Antonio Galloni review more! Spot on.
Mar 19th, 2018Built like a Willamette Valley Pinot. I like the profile and lingering taste. Very different for WS. Yum.
Built like a Willamette Valley Pinot. I like the profile and lingering taste. Very different for WS. Yum.
Aug 6th, 2017
Infanticide, but whatever. I love WS. And I won't touch the next bottle in this case for at least 5 years (ok maybe 2) 😍
Infanticide, but whatever. I love WS. And I won't touch the next bottle in this case for at least 5 years (ok maybe 2) 😍
1 person found it helpfulApr 6th, 2016Decanted for 1 hour before drinking. The nose was incredibly expressive with flowers, a pie like cherry, intense red fruit and cola. The mouthfeel was classic Pinot, with a lighter frame and viscosity that surprisingly is not as intense as the nose. But it was a great bottle
Decanted for 1 hour before drinking. The nose was incredibly expressive with flowers, a pie like cherry, intense red fruit and cola. The mouthfeel was classic Pinot, with a lighter frame and viscosity that surprisingly is not as intense as the nose. But it was a great bottle
1 person found it helpfulMar 27th, 2015
Another Impressive 2012 Pinot Noir! Great fruit expression, cherry/ berry with great mouth feel . Good Juice. Monday wine group!!
Another Impressive 2012 Pinot Noir! Great fruit expression, cherry/ berry with great mouth feel . Good Juice. Monday wine group!!
1 person found it helpfulDec 9th, 2014Caroline had this 12 years ago
Caroline had this 12 years ago
1 person found it helpfulApr 19th, 2014Light for a WS. Strong blackberry.
Light for a WS. Strong blackberry.
1 person found it helpfulDec 6th, 2013