Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – 2022
Luella’s Garden Estate Vineyard – Russian River Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A sophisticated, micro-lot Pinot Noir from the Luella’s Garden Estate Vineyard, one of the most intimate and expressive sites in the Russian River Valley. The 2022 vintage shows remarkable purity and finesse, highlighting a delicate, silky interpretation of RRV Pinot shaped by meticulous farming and a minimalist winemaking approach.

Aromas & Flavors
Welcoming aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, and strawberry compote with gentle hints of rose petal, tea leaf, and a whisper of baking spice. The palate echoes the aromatics with seamless fruit purity and quiet complexity.

Mouthfeel
Extremely silky and smooth, with fine-grained tannins and lifted natural acidity. Medium-bodied but feather-light in texture, gliding across the palate with elegance. The finish is clean, refined, and softly persistent.

Food Pairings
Duck confit, wild mushroom pasta, cedar-plank salmon, roast quail, or mild creamy cheeses.

Verdict
A terroir-driven masterpiece, delicate, silky, and precision-focused. This micro-lot from Luella’s Garden showcases the beauty of a specific corner of the Russian River Valley, expressed with extraordinary grace.

Did You Know?
Luella’s Garden is one of Williams Selyem’s smallest and most cherished estate parcels. Its unique exposure and meticulous vineyard care contribute to fruit of exceptional finesse—perfect for crafting ultra-polished, small-production Pinot Noir. — 7 hours ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – Vintage 2023
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An exquisitely balanced Pinot Noir that bridges sophistication and accessibility with effortless grace. This Sonoma Coast expression from Williams Selyem encapsulates the winery’s hallmark finesse, purity of fruit, silky texture, and a sense of place that feels both coastal and timeless.

Aromas & Flavors
A radiant medley of red berries; strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry, accented by rose petals, wet stone, and a touch of baking spice. The fruit feels pure and translucent, lifted by cool coastal energy.

Mouthfeel
Silky and impeccably polished, with a seamless mid-palate glide. The interplay of fruit, acidity, and texture is so harmonious it makes you pause between sips , a masterclass in balance.

Food Pairings
Ideal with cedar-plank salmon, duck breast with cherry glaze, or wild mushroom risotto. Its versatility shines across both elegant and rustic cuisine.

Verdict
A Pinot that pleases both the collector and the casual drinker, sophisticated yet inviting. It resonates with critics and enthusiasts alike, a true reflection of Williams Selyem’s craftsmanship on the Sonoma Coast.

Did You Know?
The Sonoma Coast AVA, cooled by Pacific fog and ocean breezes, produces some of California’s most refined and age-worthy Pinot Noirs. This 2023 vintage captures that maritime freshness beautifully.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine of quiet brilliance, where restraint meets depth. Each sip feels intentional, reminding you how elegant California Pinot can truly be. — 23 days ago

Steve Mitchell

9.3

Loved it ! Paired with our salad and prawns and pasta. — 8 days ago

Craig Becraft

9.2

Nicely texture, dark fruit, smooth tannins , light acidity, but not sappy still bright garnet red — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – 2023
Drake Estate Vineyard – Russian River Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A beautifully refined and expressive Pinot Noir sourced from the renowned Drake Estate Vineyard, one of the crown jewels of the Russian River Valley. The 2023 vintage highlights Williams Selyem’s signature delicacy and precision: pure fruit, lifted aromatics, and a seamless texture that defines top-tier RRV Pinot.

Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry accented by rose petal, orange zest, and light baking spice. Subtle forest floor, tea leaf, and vanilla whisper in the background. Elegant, layered, and aromatically captivating.

Mouthfeel
Silky, smooth, and wonderfully balanced. Medium-bodied with bright natural acidity, fine tannins, and a graceful, mouthwatering finish. A perfect interplay of delicacy and depth.

Food Pairings
Duck breast, truffle risotto, cedar-plank salmon, roasted mushrooms, or creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

Verdict
A lovely masterpiece from Drake Estate Vineyard, delicate, smooth, and utterly delicious. This is quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot at its most graceful and refined. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Drake Estate Vineyard sits along the Russian River’s cooling corridor, where fog rolls in daily. This extended hang time allows for exceptional fruit purity and aromatic intensity, one reason it’s one of Williams Selyem’s most prized vineyard sources. — 8 hours 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. — 23 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on October 25, 2025 with Tom and Kathy at their house]

Raspberry and dark cherry fruit, with black tea and mineral notes. Beautiful wine with nice acidity. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – 2023
Terra de Promissio Vineyard – Sonoma Coast – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A fresher, beautifully approachable Pinot Noir from the famed Terra de Promissio Vineyard, one of the Sonoma Coast’s most celebrated sites. The Pacific Ocean makes its magic here: cool air, fog influence, and slow ripening come together to create a Pinot of clarity, lift, and coastal finesse. Williams Selyem captures this with effortless precision.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, crushed raspberry, and cranberry with hints of pomegranate, rose petal, and a whisper of baking spice. A touch of coastal herb and minerality brings added freshness.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with lively acidity, silky tannins, and a seamless, graceful texture. Incredibly approachable yet still layered, finishing long, crisp, and refined.

Food Pairings
Roasted salmon, chicken with herbs, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, or soft cheeses like Brie and Taleggio.

Verdict
A fresh, lifted, and irresistibly drinkable Sonoma Coast Pinot. Coastal influence, thoughtful winemaking, and site purity come together in a wine that is elegant, vibrant, and classically Williams Selyem. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Terra de Promissio (“Land of Promise”), is one of the most sought-after Pinot Noir sites in Sonoma Coast. Its Goldridge soils and ocean-cooled climate consistently produce fruit of finesse and aromatic brilliance. — 6 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Heavenly Birthday Sofia! Love & Miss You Like Air! 😇 All Souls Day as well.

Williams Selyem if not her favorite producer, one of her top two.

I don’t believe I have opened a bad bottle of this producer, not even corked. I guess it’s because I wait ten yrs or longer to open. These shine later in their evolution.

Nose of; red & slightly candied florals, strawberries, dark cherries blackberries, raspberries and haunting blueberries. Lightly grilled meats, cola, sandalwood, baking spices and very soft herbaceous notes.

This in typical WS fashion shows ripe & lush; slightly sour, dark cherries, blackberries, plum, poached strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate and circling blueberries. Excellent mid, dark spices, clove, some nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light dryish tobacco, lightly grilled, smoked meats, dry crushed rocks, limestone marl, dry river stone, underbrush, mix of some fresh but mostly dry herbs, eucalyptus/mint, fresh to withering dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets, near perfect acidity with a well balanced, nicely structured, good tensioned finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and lands on spice & dry earthiness. — 20 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – Vintage 2023
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A benchmark Pinot Noir from one of California’s most iconic producers. Only 656 cases crafted, this 2023 vintage beautifully captures the Russian River Valley’s signature elegance and vibrancy. It’s a wine that balances precision and grace, proof that fine, age-worthy Pinot is alive and thriving in Sonoma.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherries, wild raspberries, and pomegranate glide alongside hints of rose petal, orange zest, and forest floor. Subtle spice and oak tones weave seamlessly into the fruit, creating layers of depth and charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky, balanced, and pure. Medium-bodied with lively acidity and ultra-fine tannins that give it both structure and lift. The wine literally dances on the palate, finishing long and elegant with a whisper of red fruit and spice.

Food Pairings
Perfect alongside duck confit, herb-crusted salmon, mushroom risotto, or roasted poultry with truffle butter.

Verdict
A polished and expressive Pinot Noir that speaks of place and precision. Williams Selyem continues to set the gold standard for Russian River Valley finesse, delivering both immediacy and cellar potential.

Did You Know?
Williams Selyem was among the pioneers of single-vineyard Pinot Noir in California. Their minimalist approach, native yeasts, gentle extraction, and minimal filtration, has influenced generations of winemakers aiming for purity of terroir. — 23 days ago