Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Williams Selyem – Zinfandel – 2022
Saitone Estate Vineyard – Russian River Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A thrilling outlier in the Williams Selyem portfolio, an estate known for Pinot Noir yet capable of crafting a Zinfandel of remarkable finesse and depth. Sourced from the historic Saitone Estate Vineyard, one of the Russian River Valley’s most distinctive old-vine sites, this 2022 Zinfandel delivers profound character, balance, and site expression. Easily among my top Sonoma Zins ever tasted.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, ripe plum, and wild raspberry woven with notes of cracked pepper, violet, licorice, and warm sage. Subtle layers of cocoa, cedar, and dried herbs add depth without overpowering the purity of the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Full yet refined. Silky tannins, bright RRV acidity, and graceful structure carry the wine with elegance rather than weight. The finish is long, spicy, and beautifully composed, power meets finesse.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb, BBQ ribs, wood-fired pizza, roasted pork shoulder, or aged Manchego.

Verdict
A distinctive and profound expression of Zinfandel. Williams Selyem elevates the variety with the same precision and restraint applied to their Pinot Noirs. Lovely, polished, and absolutely memorable, this sits firmly among the best Zins in Sonoma. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Saitone Vineyard is home to some of the oldest vines in the Russian River Valley, planted over a century ago. These old, dry-farmed vines produce low yields of intensely flavored fruit, contributing to the depth and finesse that make this bottling so exceptional. — 3 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.3

[Tasted on November 23, 2025 at Home with Michael, Rachel and Kat]

Raspberry and blackberry fruit, with violet and soft cedar notes. Wine Spectator rated 96 points and rated #4 in its Top 100 of 2025 list. — 3 days 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. — a month ago

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. — 5 days 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. — 25 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. — 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. — 5 days 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. — 5 days ago

Brian S

9.4

Delicious!!! — 4 days ago

Steve Mitchell

9.3

Loved it ! Paired with our salad and prawns and pasta. — 12 days ago