2008 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard has plenty of caramelized citrus, buttered fruit, some subtle, spicy wood, and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with excellent fruit, richness and density, the wine also has some minerality that makes it more complex than the Heintz. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. With thirteen separate Pinot Noirs, Williams-Selyem has something for just about everybody. Eight of these Pinot Noirs hail from relatively well-known sites in the Russian River and three come from the Sonoma Coast, while the two outliers are the Weir Vineyard from Yorkville Highlands and the Ferrington Vineyard from the Anderson Valley. Three well-regarded vineyards of the Sonoma Coast comprise part of this impressive Pinot Noir portfolio from Williams-Selyem. With eight Russian River bottlings, the two with the largest availability are the Eastside Road Neighbors and Westside Road Neighbors, which are blends from different fruit sources. The most underrated wines in the entire portfolio are the Zinfandels that come from winemaker Bob Cabrol. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Full gold. Tropical fruits and exotic spices on the nose, with a touch of honey adding complexity. Broad to the point of full-blown, offering lush mango and passion fruit flavors and slow-building spiciness. Clings tenaciously on the finish, which echoes the honey and passion fruit notes. This creamy, plush chardonnay would work well with the richest poultry or seafood dishes.
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.