Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Williams Selyem – Chardonnay – 2023
Three Sisters Vineyard – Fort Ross-Seaview AVA – Sonoma County – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An exceptional cool-climate Chardonnay shaped by the dramatic micro-terroir of Fort Ross-Seaview, one of California’s most striking coastal AVAs. Known primarily for world-class Pinot Noir, Williams Selyem brings the same minimalist, site-first philosophy to this Chardonnay. The result is a wine of freshness, purity, and quiet power, deeply influenced by elevation, fog, and maritime air.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon curd, green apple, and pear skin layered with hints of chamomile, flint, sea breeze, and subtle toasted almond. The palate evolves with citrus zest, white peach, and coastal salinity, showing incredible purity.

Mouthfeel
Tension meets elegance. Medium-bodied with bright acidity, a fine mineral core, and subtle texture from restrained oak. The finish is long, lifted, and saline, quintessential Fort Ross-Seaview.

Food Pairings
Halibut, scallops, herb-roasted chicken, oyster mushrooms, or citrus-forward dishes. Its freshness and precision make it extremely versatile at the table.

Verdict
A fresh, focused, and beautifully expressive coastal Chardonnay. This bottling proves that Williams Selyem’s mastery of finesse isn’t limited to Pinot Noir, and here, the minimalist approach elevates Chardonnay into something truly memorable. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Fort Ross-Seaview is one of California’s most extreme coastal AVAs, with vineyards perched above the fog line at 900–1800 ft. The result: cold nights, intense sunlight, and natural acidity that produce some of the state’s most precise, maritime-driven Chardonnays.
— 2 days ago

Elmars

9.0

At lunch in Wally’s. Great bouquet, pleasant acidity. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.

Nose shows similarities to Vincent Dauvissat. Honeysuckle-honeycomb, butterscotch, melted butter, biscuits, yellow florals.

The palate reveals good viscosity, round, long & thick. Meyer lemon, apricots, yellow peach, red & green apple, syrupy pineapple, white spice, limestone marl, grey volcanics, sea spray-saline, muddy chalk, flint, almonds, yellow & white flowers, excellent round acidity and beautiful, balanced, well polished, lush finish that lasts just over two-minutes and landing on spice & minerals.

Will merit another point or two w/ appropriate age (5 plus years) and is a better buy at $220 than the 22 Dauvissat for $20 more. — a year 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. — 2 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.4

[Tasted on September 13, 2025 at etc. in Nashville with Jay]

Black cherry and pomegranate fruit, with notes of licorice, earth and spice. Beautiful wine. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I coravined some of the 97 early this week and as I sipped it, it was had not to think it was the best Jones Family I’ve had. A score of 98 and I have not given a wine 98 in a very long time. But no matter where you go, there you are.

Tonight I had the 01 at the “Tasting House” and it was amazing. Their Short Ribs are amongst the best I’ve had. A deliberate wine bring knowing the wine & how well it pairs w/ short ribs.

1997 was an outstanding vintage. I think we can all agree on that. Jones Family is a TRB wine that should not fly under the radar in any vintage and I have had nearly all those good vintages since 97.

The 1997 is ethereal. The nose is pure beauty. Perfectly ripe and resolved fruits. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, fresh tobacco, cedar to sandalwood, dark, Indian/Asian spices, camphor, black licorice, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, tree bark w/ hints of sap, dark & red fresh flowers.

The palate is incredibly, beautiful, balanced fruit & earth. Bright cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, hovering raspberries & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, beautiful Indian/Asian spices w/ some plate heat, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, volcanics & dry clay, camphor, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice, some warm caramel, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, dark rich soil with dry leaves, tree bark w/ hints of sap, fresh & dry herbs, dark & red fresh flowers framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with perfect; elegance, tension, balance and structured finish that last minutes landing on fresh fruit, dark spices and earth tones.

I’ve posted other bottles of 97 Jones Family that were incredible, 95-96. This one perhaps had better storage, evolution & timing. Magic. — 7 months 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

Scott E. Becker

9.4

[Tasted on September 13, 2025 at etc. in Nashville with Jay, and again on November 8, 2025 at Philippe Chow in Nashville with Jay]

Bright black cherry and blackberry fruit, with black tea and wood spice. — 2 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on May 2, 2025 at answer in Nashville with Jay]

Black cherry, mulberry and mandarin orange fruit, with black tea and violet notes. — 7 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on July 18, 2024 at The Optimist in Nashville with Jay] — a year ago