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. — 4 hours ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

This wine is really delightful. It has a nice softness and elegance to it. No overpowering oak. Smooth flavors that just complement the food.

Finally a WS chard without pre-ox — 6 months ago

Iwan

9.2

Sarah dominant blend, with some Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. At 15.5% very high in alcohol, but not too big or hot, but quite nimble and well balanced.  Delicious blue fruit with that linger on the pallet.  — 8 months ago

Shay A

9.3

93-94 range

Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV

Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.

Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush. — a month ago

Monique Blanchard

9.3

Love the flavor of this wine . 2016 vintage in 2025 — 5 months ago

Danny O'Brien

9.1

Raspberry jam bomb — 7 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.7

Same comments as before. Luscious, opulent, big and bold wine. Great strong mouthfeel, big chewy tannins, blackberry, black cherry, cassis, vanilla, strong minerality. A big wine and really enjoyable. — 3 months ago

Danny O'Brien

9.3

Really fantastic chardonnay, competes with the white burgundy I've had. Rich and complex but also balanced — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A decently made 22 Cabernet. To be fair, it was a hard follow after the Memento Mori.

Drinks reasonable well now but I would drink it no later than 2032.

WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025. — 6 months ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.0

Pear, gingerbread and light bubbles from this sweet sipping stunner.

A lovely Canadian bottle 🇨🇦 — 8 months ago

with Gillian