Wine Article
2016 Williams Selyem Chardonnay Drake Estate Vineyard
Last edited on 4/2/2021 by alexparr
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WINEMAKER NOTES
This wine has a beautiful nose of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, and spiced pear. Underneath the fruit elements are notes of citrus and fresh melon. The oak is so seamless that it adds a depth without crossing the line. The freshness on the palate is striking with flavors of lemon and spiced pear that transitions into minerals in the middle palate. A hint of quinine on the finish beautifully punctuates this elegant offering.
THE VINEYARD
The Drake Estate Vineyard is located right on the Russian River near Guerneville and has the same Yolo Sandy Silt Loam soil as found in many of the very best vineyards along Westside Road. Originally planted to Rome apples, a late-ripening variety, the property has proven itself an exceptional location for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
HARVEST 2016
The 2016 vintage was an excellent growing season and it started out as the previous four vintages with a warm and dry winter. The main difference in this growing season was cooler temperatures in late February, and increasing rain totals in March that helped slow down vegetative growth. The net result was a slightly longer vegetative cycle, a slower grape maturation cycle, and therefore a later harvest compared to 2015. These events allowed for perfect maturation of the grape tannins and flavor development. Harvest started with pleasant weather on August 10 in the Middle Reach Neighborhood vineyards (Westside Road). Weather in late August cooled and by early September temperatures warmed up and dry conditions prevailed. The result was our core harvest was completed under ideal conditions by end of September. Overall, the wines from the 2016 vintage exhibit wonderfully polished tannins due to long and slow grape maturation on the vine.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Barrel Description: 24% new, 10% 1yr., 10% 2yr., 56% 3+yr.
Barrel Aged: 16 months
pH: 3.59
TA: 0.61g/100mL
Alc: 13.9%
Released Fall 2018
$65
Source: Winery Web Site
This wine has a beautiful nose of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, and spiced pear. Underneath the fruit elements are notes of citrus and fresh melon. The oak is so seamless that it adds a depth without crossing the line. The freshness on the palate is striking with flavors of lemon and spiced pear that transitions into minerals in the middle palate. A hint of quinine on the finish beautifully punctuates this elegant offering.
THE VINEYARD
The Drake Estate Vineyard is located right on the Russian River near Guerneville and has the same Yolo Sandy Silt Loam soil as found in many of the very best vineyards along Westside Road. Originally planted to Rome apples, a late-ripening variety, the property has proven itself an exceptional location for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
HARVEST 2016
The 2016 vintage was an excellent growing season and it started out as the previous four vintages with a warm and dry winter. The main difference in this growing season was cooler temperatures in late February, and increasing rain totals in March that helped slow down vegetative growth. The net result was a slightly longer vegetative cycle, a slower grape maturation cycle, and therefore a later harvest compared to 2015. These events allowed for perfect maturation of the grape tannins and flavor development. Harvest started with pleasant weather on August 10 in the Middle Reach Neighborhood vineyards (Westside Road). Weather in late August cooled and by early September temperatures warmed up and dry conditions prevailed. The result was our core harvest was completed under ideal conditions by end of September. Overall, the wines from the 2016 vintage exhibit wonderfully polished tannins due to long and slow grape maturation on the vine.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Barrel Description: 24% new, 10% 1yr., 10% 2yr., 56% 3+yr.
Barrel Aged: 16 months
pH: 3.59
TA: 0.61g/100mL
Alc: 13.9%
Released Fall 2018
$65
Source: Winery Web Site