A Few Words from - Williams Selyem

Fall 2013 Release
A Few Words from
Director of Winemaking Bob Cabral...
First, I would like to let all of you know that we lost one of the pioneer grape
growers in the Russian River Valley, Howard “Howie” Allen. Howie passed
away on February 1, 2013, at the age of 92. Joe Rochioli partnered with Howie in
the early 1970s to plant and farm Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on Howie’s
adjacent property. Joe still farms that special property, where we continue to
crush and ferment all of the Williams Selyem wines. Rest in peace, my friend.
For those of you who have followed our wines for more than 10 years, you
understand that our goal is to make the best wines, from the best growers, from
the best vineyard sites in California. To achieve this, I have attempted to follow
our founding winemakers’ philosophy of balanced, site-driven wines. In 2011,
Mother Nature played right into my hands with a very long, cool growing season
that aided me in fulfilling that philosophy. Please remember that balance is a
personal interpretation that is unique to each of us as individuals. I encourage all
of our LIST customers (as well as all wine consumers) to embrace your palate’s
interpretation. Consume wines that you enjoy or “tickle your fancy”!
In the Spring Release, we added two new wines to the WS portfolio: Terra de
Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir, and the Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay. This
Fall Release, we are adding two more (I know!) vineyard designated Pinot Noirs
from Eastside Road: Foss Vineyard Pinot Noir and Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir. Why? Simply put, because they “tickled my
fancy”! I’m not going to bore you with geeky winemaker vineyard details here (you can check that out on our website), but
suffice it to say that Bill & Becky Foss and Don & Patsy Calegari are super cool and wonderful people that grow amazing Pinot
Noir! I hope you will try a bottle or two and experience why these sites are so incredibly unique.
Now that your head is spinning from two more new wines, here is really why we expanded our list of Pinots. I often use the term
“hand-crafted” wines when discussing winemaking and there are literally dozens of hands that touch the wine during its life. I
would like to introduce two sets of those hands and tell you briefly about the incredibly important roles they play in making the
wines: Winemaker Jeff Mangahas and Assistant Winemaker Patrick Bernard. They help lead our team who accomplishes all this
“hands-on” work, while I simultaneously guide them to understand this philosophy that Burt undertook. All winemakers
interpret their vision of balance differently, but I want our wines to sing of Williams Selyem. So when you try an Allen Vineyard
Pinot Noir made by Burt, Bob or Jeff, there should be a connective thread running through those wines that not only speaks of
Allen as a vineyard site, but of the Williams Selyem style of winemaking. Jeff and Patrick represent that next generation of
winemakers to steward Williams Selyem into the future. Those Pinots are the voice of this new generation.
My winery travels have slowed a bit in 2013, as I had a new project this spring – guiding my daughter Paige with her new 4-H
swine project. Phineas and Ferb came to Paige on January 13th, weighing 48 and 42 pounds, respectively. Paige fed them (twice a
day), cleaned pens, weighed and walked them until show time in May. At the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair, she took
4th place in showmanship and both Phineas & Ferb were Grade #1 hogs! They were sold at the fair auction on May 24th and her
proceeds (after repaying me for her feed loan) will be used for her college fund, and to raise two more pigs next year. Heather and
I are so proud of her and really didn’t do anything except for daily moral support at 5:30 am and 5:30 pm feedings! Now that
Phineas has become a BLT (as Paige refers to it), I will be “out and about” in Colorado for some dinners just before harvest, and
then off to a couple of charity events after the harvest in November. Hope to see some of you for a quick glass of Pinot and a chat!
Please enjoy these wines as much as I enjoyed crafting them!
—Bob Cabral
7227 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448 T 707.433.6425 F 707.431.4862
www.williamsselyem.com
[email protected]
Important
Dates
SEPTEMBER 8
A Note
on the 2011 vintage
The 2011 vintage marked another cool year that produced wines with tremendous
purity and depth. Similar in many ways to 2010, which had very low yields and
overall cool weather, 2011 was slightly warmer and a much more even growing
season. As a consequence, the vintage produced wines with incredible purity,
tremendous acid and tannin balance, while expressing the uniqueness of each
individual site and region.
Close of Release
MID OCTOBER
Wines begin shipping
(weather permitting)
OCTOBER 18-20
Pick-up Weekend Event at
Williams Selyem Estate Winery
OCT. 21 - NOV. 1
Pick-ups at
Williams Selyem Estate Winery
(unclaimed wine will be
shipped on November 5)
NOVEMBER 1-3
Pick-up Weekend Event
at Millbrook Winery in NY
CONTACT US
www.williamsselyem.com
[email protected]
Phone: 707-433-6425
Fax: 707-431-4862
The winter months brought abundant rainfall and kept the soil moist and cold.
Bud break was delayed until the last week of March. Cool and overcast spring
weather allowed for a slow growth cycle of the vines and likewise delayed flowering by a week to ten days. It rained several times at the end of May and early June,
which affected the berry set and shattered many clusters -- up to 20% of the
berries on a cluster did not set. The rain also created protracted flowering and
therefore a wider range of berry maturity. This type of flowering is similar to
what typically happens in coastal vineyards. With a wide range of berry development with respect to flavor and tannin, the resultant wines exhibit a tremendous
amount of depth and complexity.
The cool spring gave way to beautiful and mild weather in the late spring and
summer, and the lighter crop was able to mature at an even pace. In late August, the
fog rolled in a little heavier than normal, which slowed down ripening a small
amount. Harvest commenced on September 7th, and continued at an even pace
until the remainder of the grapes were harvested prior to the early October rains.
Overall, yields were down in almost every vineyard, almost 25% lower in some cases.
The 2011 vintage may initially be remembered for the lower yields, but it will be
defined by some incredibly site-driven and expressive wines. The signature of the
vintage is one where the wines have bright fruit qualities, sound acidities and
elegant tannin profiles. It is truly a vintage worth seeking.
Tasting Notes
PINOT NOIR
2011 Eastside Road Neighbors
Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley
NEW WINES
In spring, we added two wines to the WS portfolio (the Terra
de Promissio Pinot Noir, and the Olivet Lane Chardonnay).
We were pleasantly surprised when the first reviews of the
Spring wines came out, these two were the highest rated, with
a 96 for the Terra de Promissio and a 94 for the Olivet Lane
Chardonnay. This release, we are proud to announce the
addition of two vineyard designated Pinot Noirs from
Eastside Road: the Foss Vineyard Pinot Noir and the Calegari
Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Owned by Bill and Becky Foss, the Foss Vineyard sits above
Eastside Road in the Middle Reach region of the Russian River
Valley. Predominantly planted in 2007, with the smaller
portion of Mt. Eden planted in 2009, the Foss Vineyard has
been a strong addition to the WS vineyard portfolio. Grapes
from this vineyard were initially a component of the Eastside
Road Neighbors, but 2011 marks the first vintage of the Foss
Vineyard designate. With a fine, clay loam soil type and a
temperate microclimate, this site is extremely well drained and
therefore an excellent site for Pinot Noir. Planted to Pommard,
Swan, Mt. Eden, and 667 clones — together they offer a rich
and complex palette to draw from in blending this incredibly
rich and complex wine.
Don and Patsy Calegari’s story starts in 1977 when they
purchased a 40 acre parcel on Eastside Road in the heart of the
Russian River Valley, which would become the Calegari home
site and future vineyard. In 2001, approximately 14 acres of
Pinot Noir were planted to clones 115 and 777. 2008 marked
the first vintage grapes were purchased from the Calegari
Vineyard, and for many years these grapes were the anchor of
the acclaimed Eastside Road Neighbors bottling. After
working with the grapes for several vintages, we decided that
the Calegari fruit warranted its own designation. The signature
of this wine is its bright red fruit and floral qualities; the
Calegari Vineyard Pinot Noir exemplifies true Russian River
Valley style.
$52
13.7% alc.
The aromas of black cherry, wild boysenberry, plum,
sassafras and shiitake mushrooms are quite prominent
in the glass. On the palate, the rich, broad tannins are
met by focused flavors of berry and exotic spice. Young,
yet sophisticated and sexy. Extremely cellar worthy for
5-7 years.
2011 Foss Vineyard
Pinot Noir
$55
Russian River Valley
13.9% alc.
A new single-vineyard designate that, since 2008, had been
blended into the Eastside Road Neighbors. Aromas of
black raspberry, violets, cherry-cola and clove come
through on the nose. A very textural wine with brooding
tannins that coat your palate with notes of raspberry
cobbler, sassafras, herbal spices and minerals. The great
balance and juicy acidity come from three main clones:
Pommard, Swan and Mt. Eden. The complexity of this
wine will continue to show through as these vines become
more and more mature. I plan to cellar this wine for 4-6
years before I start drinking with friends.
2011 Calegari Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley
$55
13.7% alc.
Another new single-vineyard wine that had been going
into the Eastside Road Neighbors since 2008. A very
aromatic wine that is composed primarily of Dijon clones
777 and 115, with a small amount of Swan in the blend.
Bright cherry fruits, fennel and star jasmine radiate in the
aroma of this wine. Concentrated raspberry and cherry
fruits, anise and toasted vanilla beans coat the palate along
with rich, supple tannins. A more fruit-forward wine that
is worth aging 4-6 years.
2011 Vista Verde Vineyard
Pinot Noir
San Benito County
$58
13.7% alc.
A couple of newer clones are included from our vineyards
on the Central Coast. The ripe aromas of cherry, raspberry, star jasmine, mocha and spice dominate the nose. This
wine shows broader and suppler tannins than the 2010
vintage, with a nice overall concentration and depth of
fruit. A long, sweet cherry and silky oak finish completes
this wine. Patience of 4-6 years will be rewarded.
2011 Weir Vineyard
Pinot Noir
$58
Yorkville Highlands
14.1% alc.
2011 Hirsch Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast
$75
14.1% alc.
The aromas of wild blackberries, forest floor, Asian
spices and minerals direct the nose in this vintage.
Concentrated flavors of cherries, blackberry cobbler,
and anise are complimented by chewy grape tannins and
soft, toasted oak on the finish. This is a focused wine
with much more complexity than in the past. The Weir
Vineyard seems to come into its own within 5-6 years.
Aromas of wild blackberry cobbler, sassafras, Asian
spices and white pepper fill your nose. The broad,
angular tannins fill your mouth and finish with flavors
of wild berry, dark chocolate, sage, morel mushrooms
and toasty, sweet oak. A very site-driven wine with
unique characteristics which will age for several years in
your cellar.
2011 Bucher Vineyard
Pinot Noir
2011 Burt Williams’ Morning
Dew Ranch Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley
$59
13.5% alc.
Anderson Valley
$75
13.5% alc.
Newer clones, like Mt. Eden and Swan, are now
incorporated into this site blend. The aromas of Bing
cherries, forest floor, root beer and smoky tarragon come
through on the nose. A mouthful of pie cherries, sassafras,
herbal spices and earth are complimented by the richness
of broad grape tannins. The toasty oak finish of this wine
will age it well for the next 5-7 years.
Our second vintage from this cooler site within the
Anderson Valley, the wine exhibits notes of pie cherries,
fennel, fresh cardamom and toasted vanilla beans. Vibrant
strawberry flavors and supple tannins fill your mouth with
a long, silky finish. Yields were quite low in 2011 and the
wine exhibits true site expression with added finesse. The
juicy acidity only adds to its age-ability.
2011 Peay Vineyard
Pinot Noir
2011 Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard
Pinot Noir
$79
Sonoma Coast
$59
13.6% alc.
Russian River Valley
13.8% alc.
Very intense aromas of wild raspberry, mineral, root beer
and Asian spices fill your glass. A fairly small crop on the
far side of Sonoma Coast in 2011 produced a wine of
concentration; richness typically found in cooler vintages.
The grape tannins fill your mouth with flavors of
raspberry jam, sweet spices and mineral. An animated, yet
youthful wine that will only get sexier with time.
The aromas of ripe wild blackberries, Santa Rosa plums,
wild anise and black truffles fill your glass. Engaging and
concentrated flavors of dark berries, earth, black cherries
and toasty, sweet oak emphasize the mature, lush tannins
that coat your palate. Always one of my personal favorites
because of the long, mouthwatering finish that entices
you to take another sip. The maturity of this vineyard
comes through more and more with each vintage.
2011 Ferrington Vineyard
Pinot Noir
2011 Allen Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley
$65
13.9% alc.
Russian River Valley
$82
14.1% alc.
Ripe Bing cherries and raspberries dominate the nose of
this aromatic wine. Racy cherry-cola flavors and supple
tannins fill your mouth along with white truffles and
mushrooms on the finish. There is a richness that coats
the palate and lingers into the finish. Always wonderful
natural acidity, which allows this wine to age nicely for
6-8 years.
Cherry and strawberry jam permeates the nose along with
secondary aromas of violets, clove, and cherry- cola. This
is a weightier wine than in the past (vines were planted in
1970), with vibrant acidity and soft, rich tannins. Flavors
of ripe strawberries, cherry pie, citrus blossom and spice
are complimented by the toasty vanilla/crème brûlée-like
texture. A wine that will easily age 5-7 years.
2011 Coastlands Vineyard
Pinot Noir
2011 Precious Mountain Vineyard
Pinot Noir
$95
Sonoma Coast
$75
13.4% alc.
Aromas of cassis, black currents, sweet herbs and black
truffles fill the glass. The concentrated flavors of wild
berries, espresso, cardamom and exotic spices develop
throughout the palate. Rich, prominent tannins are
carried through nicely with a bit of acidity in the finish.
Age for 6-7 years for full expression of the site.
Sonoma Coast
14.2% alc.
Always one of my favorite coastal sites. An intricate wine
with aromas of wild raspberries, black cherry, violets,
sage, cherry-cola and crème brûlée. On the palate, flavors
of wild berry and exotic spices burst out with a nice
balance of acidity. The rich tannins and long, mouthwatering finish complete this well-built wine. Give this one
4-6 years in the cellar for optimal experience.
2011 Williams Selyem Estate
Vineyard Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley
$100
ZINFANDEL
13.9% alc.
Having selected the clones and rootstocks for our Estate
Vineyard has proved to be extremely rewarding. I had
envisioned a multifaceted and ethereal wine that would
be built to last, and I believe that is exactly what this wine
represents. The aromas of wild raspberries and
blackberries along with clove, cedar, Asian spice and
cappuccino fill your glass. Rich, mouth-filling tannin
coat your palate along with sweet berry flavors, sassafras,
dried rose petals and minerals. There is a nice balance of
acidity, complimented by rich oak tannins and a long,
silky finish. I believe this will age 8-10 years and still gain
in intensity and complexity.
2011 Bacigalupi Vineyard
Zinfandel
Russian River Valley
$52
14.5% alc.
Very concentrated flavors of raspberry, cassis, mocha
and root beer burst in your mouth. The aromas are
similar, but with a high-toned, perfumed edge to them.
This old vine block is predominantly Zinfandel with
only a scattering of “field blenders”. Big, rich
mouth-coating tannins give way to a long, jammy finish.
Our Zinfandels have been seeing about 25% new
Taransaud barrels for approx. 14 months. This wine
should age nicely for 4-6 years.
CHARDONNAY
2011 Hawk Hill Vineyard
Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
$52
14.4% alc.
A wonderful wine from an extremely cool area of the
Russian River Valley, this vintage reminds me of great
Chablis, with aromas of mineral, citrus blossom, Asian
pear and roasted almond. In the creamy mouthfeel,
flavors of Meyer lemon, wet stone and sweet oak fill
your palate. The naturally high acidity gives this wine a
long, lemon drop-like finish that would complement
Thai food. A wine that will definitely benefit from 4-6
years of cellaring.
2011 Allen Vineyard
Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
$55
14.4% alc.
I feel this may be one of the best Allen Chardonnays I
have crafted since becoming the winemaker in 1998. The
cool growing season really added to the complex aromas
of Gravenstein apples, white nectarines, cream soda and
baking spices. Those same aromas carry through on the
palate along with a richness that leaves your mouth
feeling clean and refreshed from the wonderful acidity.
Rich and full of classic Russian River Valley flavors that
are long and elaborate on the finish. Aging this wine for
3-5 years will only add to its complexity.
2011 Drake Estate Vineyard
Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
PORT
$65
14.2% alc.
The aromas of white peaches and nectarines fill your glass
along with honeysuckle flowers, citrus rinds and sweet
caramel. On the rich, mouthwatering palate, flavors of
lemon curd, peach cobbler, ginger and toasted vanilla
bean explode in your mouth. A textural Chardonnay with
wonderfully bright acidity that has a long and refreshing
finish. Not cloying at all, it has a powerful presence that
remains graceful with food — a wonderful wine for fresh
salmon. Will age well for 3-5 years.
2008 Vista Verde Vineyard
Port
$40/375ml
San Benito County
20.0% alc.
Traditional Portuguese varieties – Touriga National,
Tinta Cao, Tinta Francesca and Tinta Madeira – were
used to create this Port made in the traditional style. A
complicated wine with aromas of plum fruit, citrus
blossom, raisin, fig, fruit cake, candied fruit, chocolate,
espresso and hints of Indian spices. The palate is
smooth with rich, influential tannins. Flavors of dark
berry fruits, boysenberry jam, espresso, raisin, fig and
chocolate-coated orange peel tease the palate, followed
by a long, supple finish with a hint of Grand Marnier,
bittersweet chocolate and anise. This is an age-worthy
Port that will go on for years.
Ordering
•
On-line ordering is strongly encouraged! To access your allocation through the website, log in with the
User ID and Password printed on your order form.
•
Orders are filled on a first come, first served basis. Allocations are not guaranteed; they represent the
number of bottles available to you until the wine sells out (which is often before the last day to order).
Please place your order as soon as possible for best order fulfillment.
•
For bottles beyond your allocation, please use the Wish List column. These requests will be filled, if
possible, after the close of the release on September 8. You do not need to include payment for wish list
wines; we will charge or invoice your account later if the request is filled.
•
While on-line ordering is strongly encouraged, you may fax your completed order form to
707-431-4862. If paying by check, please send via mail to 7227 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
•
Order confirmations will be sent via email. Please verify your address!
•
Faxed or mailed orders submitted without written payment will not be filled; phone and email orders
are not accepted.
Shipping
•
Wines will begin shipping mid October, weather permitting.
•
Some states do not permit direct wine shipments, or they may limit the amount of wine we can ship to
you. Please see the back of your order form for more details and shipping/handling fees.
•
We require a shipping address where there is someone over 21 years of age available to sign for the
package during regular business hours.
WinePick-up
CALIFORNIA
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•
•
•
•
If you intend to pick up your wine at Williams Selyem Winery, select the “CA Pick-up” option on your order.
Our Fall 2013 Pick-up Weekend will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 18, 19 & 20, from
10:00am to 4:00pm, at 7227 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Winery pick-ups are available at Williams Selyem from October 21 - November 1 between 10:00am &
3:00pm. Please call or email at least one day in advance to schedule a pick-up date: 707-433-6425 or
[email protected]
Orders not picked up by Friday, November 1 will be shipped at the customer’s expense to the billing
address on file on Tuesday, November 5.
If you would like All Ways Cool (707-545-7450) or 55 Degrees (707-963-5513) to receive the order on
your behalf, you must establish an account and coordinate shipment with that company directly.
NEW YORK
•
•
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If you intend to pick up your wine at Millbrook Winery, select the “NY Pick-up” option on your order.
Fall Pick-Up Weekend at Millbrook Winery will be November 1, 2 & 3.
Daily winery pick-ups are available November 4-29 between 12:00pm & 5:00pm, no appointment
necessary. 26 Wing Road, Millbrook, NY 12545, (800) 662-WINE ext. 21,
[email protected], www.millbrookwine.com.