Williams Selyem Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir exemplifies true Russian River Valley style.
- In 2001, approximately 14 acres of Pinot Noir were planted to clones 115 and 777, and more recently, Mt. Eden and Swan clones were added.
- The signature of this wine is its bright red fruit and floral qualities.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: Barrel aged 16 months, 59% new, 41% 1 yr old barrels.
Tasting Notes: Red fruits and rose petals are showcased in this beautifully aromatic wine. Hints of musk, potpourri and sassafras are layered into the brightness and offer a compelling depth. Citrus notes and black tea flavors abound on the palate and typify the wine. Vibrant and fresh, the food pairings are endless from richer meat dishes to mushrooms to sushi.
PRESS
2018 – 96 Wine Enthusiast | 94 Vinous
2019 – 94 James Suckling | 95 Wine Enthusiast
2021 – 95 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Willams Selyem Winery was founded almost by accident. In the 1970s, a grower gave a few tons of free grapes to Burt Williams. He and his friend, Ed Selyem, decided to make their own wine – a Pinot Noir.
The partners only wanted to make wine for themselves but, as fate would have it, they were very good at it. Soon, their wine developed a cult-like following among those they shared it with. Ultimately, their experiment elevated Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley to among the best wine-growing regions in the world.
Once Burt and Ed decided to start a serious winery, they vowed to make handcrafted wines that would set the standard for excellence. Burt, a veteran newspaper pressman, made the first labels using an old letterpress and hand-mixed inks. Today, the philosophy at Williams Selyem is to respect the grapes. Their wine has been served at the White House and their 2007 Estate Pinot Noir was the first to score a perfect 100 in a major wine publication.