2011 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Sweet red cherries, plums, mint and rose petals meld together in the 2011 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard. A wine of texture and depth, the 2011 stands out for its fabulous silkiness and raciness, both very hard to come by in 2011. The flavors continue to blossom in this striking, drop-dead gorgeous Pinot from one of Sonoma's very best sites. This is a fabulous showing in a very challenging year.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
From the Sonoma Coast, the 2011 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard offers classic Pommard-like notes of red apple skins, earth and black cherries. There is always a masculinity to this cuvee, and the 2011 is earthy, firm, tannic, rustic and beefy in a good sense. This medium-bodied Pinot will benefit from 1-2 years of cellaring, and should keep for a decade. Alcohols in 2011 were not much lower than in some of the riper vintages, although they were definitely down. The 2011 Williams Selyem Chardonnays range between 13.9% (Heintz) to 14.5% (Olivet Lane). I tend to think this estate's Chardonnay program is underrated as it seems like their Pinot Noirs receive all the attention to the detriment of their Chardonnays, which can be brilliant. Tel. (707) 433-6425
Opaque ruby. Deep, smoke-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola and licorice, with a peppery topnote. Juicy, palate-staining dark fruit flavors are enlivened by a floral quality and show a smooth, velvety texture. The wine becomes chewier on the clinging finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a hint of candied violet.
About the producer
Williams Selyem is an iconic Russian River Valley winery best known for its Pinot Noir. Producing restrained yet classically Californian expressions of the heartbreak grape (as well as a host of other wines), the property has gone from pioneer to one of the region’s standard-bearers.