Sporting a wealth of precise, deeply drawn, Pinot Noir fruit and an altogether impeccable sense of balance, this compelling and compulsively drinkable wine ranks tops on our list of Williams Selyem favorites. Never other than optimally ripe and insistently focused on sweet cherries with deft accents of creamy oak adding richness, it is a friendly, deceptively deep effort that eschews bombast in favor of refinement and focused Pinot character. We cannot argue with those who would drink it up now, ...

Deep, saturated red. Rich cherry and dark berry aromas are complicated by mocha, vanilla and gingerbread. Deep, palate-staining cherry-vanilla and blackberry flavors are medium in body and nicely framed by supple tannins. The tannins build on the long, sappy, clinging finish. A big, rich, full-throttle pinot that will win no awards for finesse but delivers serious flavor impact.

Rating for United States-California: 87 (average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: unpredictable<br/>