David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

93 that is beginning to lean into 94. This 14 shows nice evolution but still needs 2-3 years before it hits the beginnings of its full stride.

This 2014 “The Sisters” is rich, lush & ruby fruits of; blackberries, dark plum that stretches into pudding, dark cherries, black raspberries, some boysenberries. Dark chocolate cake with buttercream frosting, mocha powder notes, melted, salted caramel, mid berry cola, light; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, rich, sweet earth with dry leaves, some dry herbs, dark spice w/ some palate heat, limestone powder, dry stone, soft leather & slightly dryish tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, hints of lead pencil, touch of dry stems, fresh & slightly withering flowers that are; dark, red with lavender framed in liquid violets, excellent round acidity and a very well balanced, mid structured & tensioned finish that is elegantly polished and lasts a little more than a minute.

Paired with an Allen Brother’s Filet Mignon. A good, well aged Napa Cabernet works well with a less/near no fat cut of meat.

Photos of; the Jones family, staff harvesting, tasting room and Jones vineyard. — a month ago

Shay A

9.1

WNH Chenin tasting with @Bill Bender , @Shawn R , @Eric LaMasters , @Mike R . Very solid and enjoyable single vineyard chenin with a bit of bottle age to it. I hardly drink any chenin, so while my experience is limited, I did a lot of research prior to this bottle and enjoyed it while open.

Initially, I had this too cold. Ripping acidity followed by overly tart lemon. After it sat open in the bottle an hour and got closer to room temp, it leaned toward an Alsatian Riesling type nose mixed with a Chablis like palate. It never went full limestone and petrol on the nose, but it got close...but then it went more waxy, honeysuckle, and powdered lemon bar. The longer it was open, the more reminiscent it became of the Moreau-Naudet Les Forets Chablis I had about a month ago. Extremely pure and underripe yellow orchard fruits, slightly chalky, high acidity, and beeswax toward the finish. I’d hold another 3-5yrs before the next bottle. — 4 years ago

Ron from VA

9.2

First reviewed at Shaps tasting room in summer 2018, this is the first of three bottles that I have… And it did not disappoint with that sultry medium weight, seductively floral & sweet voluminous mouthfeel. I sense that this will run the same route as the 2015 Northgate cab Franc… Trending towards that Pinot caliber experience with 3-5 additional aging. — 4 years ago

Scot Walker

9.7

Wonderful wine. I tried it at their tasting room in 2018 and bought 3 bottles along with some other Tor cabs. I opened a bottle 2 years later and enjoyed it. Friends at my local wine shop were very impressed. I am now opening up a 2nd bottle, which is now 9 years old. It is even better than I remember. The nose is flush with dark fruit especially dark cherries. The palate is dark cherries, blackberries with a hint of anise, chocolate, and leather. It paired well with a choice hanger steak. It also paired well with some Godiva chocolate lava cake truffles. I look forward to opening the 3rd bottle some time in the future and a single vineyard cab. — 2 months ago

Ron from VA

9.0

So not much has changed in 3 yrs since first trying this in the tasting room. The profile is lean and linear. 69 CS 16 Merlot and the rest PV. This clearly the weakest build of Jeff’s run of left bank builds. The 2014 was classic, so not huge numbers for the CS. THE TEXTURE IS LOVELY though. ;) 90+ for sure, keeping the streak ALIVE!! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A blend of 89% Cab Sauv, 6% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot & 2% Cab Franc, from Martin Stelling Vineyard, planted on gravelly loam soil, aged 17 mos in French oak, 68% new. Dark Ruby with aromas of black and dried red fruits, toasty herbs and earthiness. On the palate blackberry, black cherry and cassis with vanilla, cacao and espresso. Well balanced, fine tannins, a touch of toasty oak carrying this wine to a long finish, and room to age. Tasting Sample! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A blend of 89% Semillon and 11% Sauv Blanc, fermented 6 months in oak, aged for 3 years. Medium amber color with aromas of ripe sweet fruits and orange honey botrytis notes. On the palate rich flavors of ripe peaches and figs with vanilla notes. Long finish ending with sweet fruit notes. Tasting well now, but still has room to age. I have a few bottles tucked away. Nice! — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1989 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Expected sed. Nice fill and one of the better corks I've seen in the last few years on a 1989 BDX. This is, by far, the oldest CLG I’ve had. The first few years are always filled with tons of fruit, richness, a rounded mouthfeel and very supple. This was tasting more like an 80’s vintage of Pichon-Lalande with the feminine characteristics except for a little beefiness around the 1.25 hours, post-decant, mark. Consistently delicious throughout the 2 hour experience. Not improving and semi-delicate but seems like it’s got 3-5 years left in this room before strolling into another. 12.15.23. — 6 months ago

Jim McCusker

9.3

From a few days ago, purchased at the tasting room in Los Olivos about 3 or 4 years ago. Drinking very well - definitely an underrated winery in the Central Coast. — 3 years ago

with Vanessa

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