2001 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
(only 14.7% alcohol; from a very cool site) Lemon-yellow color, less green than the Allen. Wild aromas of tangerine, truffle, earth, minerals, herbs, game and citrus blossom. Sweet, gamey and exotic, with terrific depth of fruit. Finishes with superb sweetness and length but also a mouthwatering lemon drop flavor. Offers an uncanny combination of sweetness and fresh acidity. Cabral suggests pairing it with grilled Ahi tuna.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2001 Chardonnay Hawk Hill Vineyard (the last vineyard before entering the Sonoma Coast designation) possesses 14.7% alcohol. A greenish hue is noticeable in the light straw color. Sumptuous aromas of marmalade, lemon zest, white peaches, and hints of pineapples as well as crushed stones are followed by a medium to full-bodied, Chablis-styled white with beautifully integrated oak and a tremendously long, well-delineated finish. All things considered, 2001 and 2002 are the finest back-to-back vintages I have tasted from Williams-Selyem. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546
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.