2021 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Unoaked
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Tasting notes
Fruit sourced from 40-year-old vines on Drake Estate, MacGregor Estate, Olivet Lane and the Lazy W Ranch. This is the only stainless-steel-fermented Chardonnay that Williams Selyem makes and is one of the only wines that is filtered. Lots of lees contact – stays on primary yeast for as long as possible. Does not go through malolactic conversion. pH 3.28, TA 6 g/l. Pale lemon in colour. Clean and bright, with a slatey coolness and a touch of flinty reduction. Powdery, perfumed talcum floral character. White peach, apple blossom, yellow apple and lemon. A touch of phenolic texture. Mouth-watering, high acidity pulls out the finish. Fresh stone-fruit character and lemon pith on the finish. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A pale, shimmering straw hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Unoaked is vibrant with lime blossom, pithy citrus, crushed rock, green apple, and fresh white flowers. Medium-bodied, with fresh acidity, a soft texture, and no harsh edges. It’s refreshing but supple, with notes of fresh pear and white flowers. followed by a good, clean finish. Drink it over the next several years.
The 2021 Unoaked Chardonnay offers notable purity this vintage, with pretty aromas of apricot, Meyer lemon, biscuit and acacia with flinty streaks. The light-bodied palate balances energetic acidity with an alluring creamy texture, and it has a long finish with hints of beeswax. This is much more expressive than the average unoaked Chardonnay. 1,304 cases were made.
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.