The New Williams Selyem

WINE TALK
1

Yesterday (10.29.10) was the first day of the Williams Selyem pickup event at the new facility. It’s a stunning 33,000 square foot structure that was designed to resemble a highly stylized barrel with a great arched roof that towers above the grand entrance. Lots of repurposed redwood from 50+ year-old fermentation tanks form walls that add just the right amount of warmth to what otherwise might have been a rather sterile, cold design. All-in-all a really spectacular showplace. As for the wines - unfortunately we only had time to pickup our order and taste the Weir and Bucher Vineyards bottlings - both outstanding. More tasting notes to come on these two, and the other bottlings.

2

That building is an architectural travesty and reminiscent of this place which, though not as big, fits its surroundings just as poorly. It’s also eerily reminiscent of a Chipotle restaurant, which may not be apparent from this photo.

3

Meh, I didn’t have as visceral reaction to it as you clearly do. My biggest complaint with the space is that it’s too big for its purpose. Other than that, it’s a nice place to pickup my wine.

4

I’m clearly quite vocal on this subject (see the various Domaine Obscene threads), but that building has “EGO” written all over it. But hey, there’s a reason Ben and Jerry didn’t just stick with vanilla.

5

I’ve seen your “Domaine Obscene” posts, and to be perfectly honest, I appreciate your stance. Just for fun, thought I’d share a couple of shots from the second place we stopped - Pech Merle - new favorite of ours, and I would suggest, the antithesis of Williams Selyem.

By the way, tasted some incredible zinfandels with the owner who met us at his vineyard.

6

Bob, have you seen it in person? I’m just curious, doesn’t look that way from the pictures. Yes, its a very modern building, but not everything modern is bad, even in wine country. Not sure everyone should be required to work out of a barn simply because they choose to make wine. Btw, I’m not a buyer, so I don’t really have anything invested in this discussion.

7

Belongs alongside the Darioush facility IMO - doesn’t fit the humble Sonoma Valley that I know.

Then again, this is the winery that calls it’s mailer THE LIST and prices average* pinot noirs at ludicrously high prices.No wonder they built an ostentatious winery.

PUME!

*I’m only speaking of the wines since Cabral took over the winemaking.

8

Paid $49 for the Eastside Neighbors bottling and am pretty happy with the QPR considering we paid $45 for Colemen Nicole and $48 for Sojourn’s Rodgers Creek. Obviously, none of these wines are daily fare.

9

Actually Williams Selyem isn’t located in the Sonoma Valley. [cheers.gif]

10

we were there yesterday as well, the in laws were picking up some wine. I do think the facility is a bit over the top IMO but the wines are good… just overpriced.

we tasted the following between two tents, my favorite was the 08 block 10 mass selection.

tent 1:
08 LRVV Chenin Blanc
08 Weir pinot
08 Bucher pinot

tent 2:
08 coastlands pinot
08 rochioli pinot
08 block 10 mass selection
08 forchini zin

11

I just got back from picking up mine. I also liked the block 10 mass.
The zin they were pouring today was the Papera. You missed out.

12

Well, you can list prices for other wines out the wazoo - but WS pinots are overpriced. $50 for any wine isn’t a QPR, whether it’s WS, Sojourn, etc.

I’m glad you enjoy them though! After all, overpaying for an average wine helped them build that aesthetic masterpiece! [berserker.gif]

13

neener

I visited the old tasting room when I was on THE LIST. The RRV isn’t the valley as you state, but it’s still Sonoma. My point stands about the new winery.

Do you disagree that the new winery is ostentatious?

14

I actually don’t care since I can’t drink the building.

15

And some folks like Almaden Mountain Chablis and consider that the ultimate in QPR. However, your interpretation of overpaying is indeed yours, and may not be shared by all. There must be a whole lot of misguided wine consumers considering the numbers of folks that made the trip to that masterpiece in the Russian River Valley. [stirthepothal.gif]

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Ha - but do you disagree that their overpriced wines are the reason they were able to build the new facility?

Or did they just bide their time and capitalize on the capital markets crash of 2008. [highfive.gif]

17

Hehe - so we agree after all! pepsi

I’m jk with you, several friends attended, not dissing your taste - just think if I liked the wines I’d be mad at pricing, esp in lieu of the new facility. I’d feel like a Vegas gambler gushing about the gorgeous Venetian moat after losing $500 to house.

18

Hehe - so we agree after all! > pepsi >

I’m jk with you, several friends attended, not dissing your taste - just think if I liked the wines I’d be mad at pricing, esp in lieu of the new facility. I’d feel like a Vegas gambler gushing about the gorgeous Venetian moat after losing $500 to house

Heck, you can diss my taste all you want. No skin off my nose.

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[winner.gif]

BTW, the Chipotle comparison hit me as soon as I saw the picture! Want guac with your pinot? Of course, the comparison would only be truly valid if you paid $35 for a burrito there.

20

You guys are right! The structures look identical…it’s just uncanny! Hope no one gets confused and tries to order a Rochioli Riverblock after mistakenly walking into a Chipotle.

[tease.gif]