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: 2011 Williams Selyem "Heintz Vineyard" Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2011 Williams Selyem "Heintz Vineyard" Russian River Valley Chardonnay

SKU #1165364 92 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark Shows the usual Williams Selyem Chardonnay profile of huge fruit and flashy oak. This opulent wine would be over-the-top except that it's balanced by crisp, lemony acidity, and somehow retains a tight core with a gravitational tug that keeps the richness focused. Inner quote mark (7/2013)

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Pungent aromas of orange zest, toasted almond and white flowers. Plush and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, with very good energy and freshness to its peach, citrus fruit and honey flavors. Finishes chewy and long, with subtle spiciness and slow-building minerality. This wine usually shows more exotic character according to Cabral, but I welcome its vivacity. (ST) Inner quote mark (5/2013)

Connoisseurs Guide

Outer quote mark If the wine above wants time to mature, this one absolutely demands it. It is, at this writing, both focused and reluctant, but its depth is apparent even if generosity has not yet arrived. Its suggestions of pulpy fruit and density suggest a ton of substance, and the sweet pineapple and lemon custard top note would seem to support that notion. Yet, there is a twist of tightness in the latter half here fueled by a late rise in acidity, and the wine turns a touch rigid at the finish. We would suggest two to four years of cellaring. *One Star* Inner quote mark (5/2013)

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2011 Williams Selyem "Heintz Vineyard" Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Price: $69.99

Quantity:

WE: 92

ST: 91

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Additional Information:

Varietal:

Chardonnay

- It's hard to believe that up until about 30 years ago, this extremely popular varietal hid behind the veil of geographical names like Chablis and Puligny-Montrachet. Now grown all over the world and bottled by its varietal name, Chardonnay has achieved a level of branding unlike any other wine. Surprisingly, though, what you get when you buy Chardonnay can differ greatly from country to country and even within one country, depending on the climate where it's grown and how it is vinified and aged. From fresh, crisp and minerally with apple and lemon notes to rich and buttery with tropical fruit overtones, Chardonnay runs the gamut. In France's Burgundy, Chardonnay is the source of the prized wines of Chablis, Corton-Charlemagne, Mâcon, Meursault and Montrachet. It also the foundation of exceptional Champagne, where it is blended with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier or vinified on its own into Blanc de Blancs. It is also extremely popular in California, and is gaining popularity in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and South Africa.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Sonoma County

- Second in fame only to Napa, this "other" valley offers just about every climate and topography imaginable. From its cool and fog-enshrouded coastal regions on the far west, to the sprawling Alexander Valley on the boarder of Napa and the many little dips and peaks in between, Sonoma has been a vital wine-grape-growing region since the mid 1800s. Important sub-AVAs include Chalk Hill (known for chardonnay and sauvignon blanc), Dry Creek Valley (where zin is king) Knights Valley (largely cabernet land), Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast (both celebrated pinot and chardonnay zones).

Alcohol Content (%):

13.9