Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had a a fair amount of older Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs, this one is the most different. It seems more extracted and darker than the bright; cherries, strawberries & pomegranate Pinots from them that we’ve had a run on over several years.

The noses reveals, deep, dark, ripe; currants, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries with hints of blue fruit. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity, sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and just a hint of violets.

The body is medium full. It has gorgeous mouthfeel. There are still round, softened, teethe & tarry tannins here. Tannins were in the bottle neck which, is not always traditional even in older Pinot’s. The structure, tension, length and balance are really nice with another three to five years of good drinking ahead. It’s right around its peak. Perhaps, just the other side of the bell curve. Dark, ripe; currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries, cooked rhubarb, raisins with more blue fruit showing vs. the nose. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and violets beaming on the finish. The acidity is excellent. The long finish is; ruby, ripe, elegant, gorgeous, extremely well balanced and persists on the palate with warm, dark spice.

IMHO, Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs do not score well early and really shine at 10 years plus in many vintages. They are a Sonoma Pinot pioneer and a gold standard comparison for other producers and Pinot lovers to take note.

Photos of; Williams Selyem winery, Sofia’s great handy work with flowers and one of our two raised garden boxes. 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹🌼🥀 🌽 🥒🥬 🍅

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! Hope you are grilling & enjoying some of your favorite wines. — 6 years ago

John Willison

9.2

Prototypical TRB Pinot. Citrus, forest floor, rhubarb. Great QPR. — 7 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.2

Dark cherry nose. Heavier in the mouth than your average Pinot with more dark cherry, rhubarb pie, and moderating darker merlot notes. Chewy tannins and long acid in the finish. This is a substantial 100% Pinot with nice balance from start to finish. — 8 years ago

with Susan

John B

9.3

Clear ruby red. Tons of cherry, rhubarb and baking spice. Good balance between acidity and fruit. One of my two favorite vineyards for Pinot. — 8 years ago

Nate Norfolk

9.5

Yes!!! Savory earth and rhubarb tinged...yet ripe. Beautiful. — 9 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

This wine is aging so nicely rhubarb pie dried strawberries Christmas spice super pretty — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Blackberries, raw rhubarb, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, lots of soft spices, very red floral, dry mid tannic structure, understated dark earth, perfect chalkiness, soft, lush, good acidity and long dry elegant finish. Finish is plus one minute. — 9 years ago

Mariah Downey

9.5

So yummy. Went perfect with our turkey. — 9 years ago

Nate Redner

10

Rhubarb and raspberry. Killer domestic gamay — 10 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Bouquet of strawberries and rhubarb, fig jam, herbal notes, saddle leather, moderate acidity, cedar box. Lovely. — 6 years ago

with Deked1

Matt Perlman

8.9

Beautiful light cloudy rhubarb/garnet color. Medicinal sour cherry and vibrant tangy strawberry. Lacks the complexity and funky/savory elements of the top Jura examples but compensates with purity of the fruit — 6 years ago

Gobindjit S. Dhaliwal

9.4

Incredibly complex on the nose with toasted brioche, dried cranberries, cherries, rhubarb, candied ginger, sesame seed oil, and chalk dust. Frothy mousse with small concentrated bubbles that caress the palate and seem to make this wine lithe and airy, mouth drying chalkiness with hints of tart red fruit flavors, toasted brioche, and a long lasting finish filled with exotic oriental spices. — 7 years ago

with finding.wine and Carlos

Sky Morrar

9.7

White flowers and blood orange on the nose. Wet stone, cherry, rhubarb on the palette with a spiced finish that lingers. I could drink this all day long! — 7 years ago

Carlie Rice

9.1

Crisp and refreshing with notes of strawberry and rhubarb. Not too sweet or too tart — 8 years ago

Devin Bray

9.3

Huge and ripe for a Beaujolais, with jammy cherry fruit and some rhubarb tartness with a slight hint of animal musk and pink peppercorn. Complex and deep but still juicy with great structure. Mmm. — 8 years ago

with Gina

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

If you look in the dictionary under elegance, there is a picture of this wine. The nose might be the best red floral noses I've experienced. The fruit is understated ripe strawberries, cherries, pomegranate, cooked rhubarb, dried red roses, touch of red licorice cola, baking spices, a fine chalkiness that sticks to the mid tongue and a finish that doesn't stop. — 9 years ago

Jeff K

9.0

A bit tart at first but opened up very nicely, especially with food. Agree with others about the rhubarb notes. — 9 years ago

Trent Perkins

9.7

Fantastic wine from my favorite winery. Definitely not the sweetest wine, as it has a touch of bitterness to it - but it certainly blends well for an excellent flavor that goes well with food or on its own. You definitely can't go wrong with the Mallow Run Rhubarb, even if you prefer drier wines. — 9 years ago

Steve Haro

9.6

From magnum. Youthful. Pops in your mouth. Roasted dark cherry and rhubarb compote notes. Loads of cola flavors transition beautifully into a long, earthy, tannic finish. Amazing. — 10 years ago

JP Pierce

9.2

A touch of red fruit still on the nose. Baked rhubarb, cherry compote, dusty, cedar, faint cumin, damp forest floor, and Sherry/nutty notes. In the palette still tangy acid that brings a vibrancy and tension to a juicy lean body. Most of the structure from acid, but finishing tannins provide a little drying to the mouth. Captivating, interesting and delicious. — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Reddish tawny color. Vibrant in the glass. Direct nose with notes of raspberries, rhubarb, asian spice and moist black soil. At first, more structure than fruit. But with 6+ hours of air a sweetness develops and softens the harsher notes, making this more voluptuous. Was singing loudly at the end of the shindig! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s officially Summer! Time for Rosé. Tempier is one of my favorite Rosés. They’re even better when you let them round out a year in bottle before enjoying. The color darkens to a slightly rustic orange color.

On the nose, some sour notes with a little funk. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, unbelievably just a touch of petrol, gummy character, chalkiness and fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses.

The body is round and full for Rosé. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, oranges, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, well ripened rhubarb, just a touch of petrol, gummy character, spice, chalkiness, perfect intensity of crushed volcanic minerals with fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses. The acidity is like a waterfall. The length, structure, tension and balance are excellent. The long, rich, elegant finish is beautiful and lasts minutes. It’s delicious!!!

Photos from our 2016 visit. Domaine Tempier tasting room and cellars, shot of our barrel tasting w/ their assistant Winemaker (a sweetheart), the digging for their additional cellar; which I imagine is now complete and the view from the Domaine entrance — 7 years ago

Ryan Guy

9.0

Dried cherry, forest floor, violets, light perfume notes. Acid driven, cherry and rhubarb, consistent with the old school style of López de Heredia. Lighter in weight, finishes with slight astringency. Food wine. Drink now. — 7 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.1

Smell like rhubarb and strawberry. Bright fruitiness of Beaujolais but has a raw undercurrent. Medium acid, velvety tannins, sheer drinkability. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Not as opulent as some Central Otago Pinots. This is from Martinborough. James Halliday who has had more Burgundies than most of us called this the "Pommard of New Zealand"! Notes of spice and rhubarb with excellent length. A top quality Pinot. Not cheap at $100+. — 9 years ago

Justin Crow

Cellar Door Manager Montalto

9.4

Bright aromas of sour red cherries, rhubarb, earthy spice and some savorury/stalky herbal qualities. Both and weight both immaculate. Supple, fluid, intense and great length. Drinking well now with develop just stating to peek through the primary fruits. Still has time. — 9 years ago

Matt

9.4

Love the intense strawberry and rhubarb tones I find from this vineyard. This vintage also showing a little more black cherry, blood orange, spice, and more sandalwood. Balanced, poised, ready to go out of the gates. — 9 years ago

Rebecca Fletcher

9.0

Rhubarb, cranberry, earth, tobacco, dried herbs, oregano, savory meat, and Brett. M+ acid, round tannin, body and finish. M+ complexity. Lots of structure. Tart fruit on the palate. — 9 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.1

Perfumey, almost hair care chemical nose. Dry with rhubarb notes on the palate. — 10 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Strawberry, rhubarb, earth, leather, iron, great acid and freshness for a 67. This just proves it is all about the producer and Rousseau is one of the best. — 10 years ago