Mixed Blessing
 

I patted myself on the back last year when, after a substantial
waiting period, I was fortunate enough to make the Williams-Selyem
"list".

I got an allocation last year and dutifully went down the W-S provided
tasting notes, etc. to select from what was offered. Not all releases
were available to the new kid on the block. I strategized that I
should take as much of my allocation as I reasonably could afford so
as not to jeopardize my position in the group, be found wanting and
then be black-balled as inadequately financed or possibly
taste-challenged.

Just got the offering/allocation for this year. Now, I'm stunned and
maybe intimidated by the number of offerings from W-S and (drum-roll
here) by the pricing. I know it's premium wine, and I know it's in
short supply, and I know I should be honored, but in fact I'm in need
of help.

Anybody in the group got experience or opinion or QPR judgement on the
following:

All are Williams-Selyem 2004 vintage (I know you haven't tasted, but
based on previous knowledge...):

Bucher Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $49
Vista Verde PN (San Benito County) $49
Peay Vineyard PN (Sonoma Coast) $49
Flax Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $54
Weir Vineyard PN (Yorkville Highlands) $54
Ferrington Vineyards (Anderson Valley) $59
Hirsch Vineyards (Sonoma Coast) $69
Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $72
Allen Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $75


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com

Mixed Blessing
 

Ed Rasimus wrote:
> I patted myself on the back last year when, after a substantial
> waiting period, I was fortunate enough to make the Williams-Selyem
> "list".
>
> I got an allocation last year and dutifully went down the W-S provided
> tasting notes, etc. to select from what was offered. Not all releases
> were available to the new kid on the block. I strategized that I
> should take as much of my allocation as I reasonably could afford so
> as not to jeopardize my position in the group, be found wanting and
> then be black-balled as inadequately financed or possibly
> taste-challenged.
>
> Just got the offering/allocation for this year. Now, I'm stunned and
> maybe intimidated by the number of offerings from W-S and (drum-roll
> here) by the pricing. I know it's premium wine, and I know it's in
> short supply, and I know I should be honored, but in fact I'm in need
> of help.
>
> Anybody in the group got experience or opinion or QPR judgement on the
> following:
>
> All are Williams-Selyem 2004 vintage (I know you haven't tasted, but
> based on previous knowledge...):
>
> Bucher Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $49
> Vista Verde PN (San Benito County) $49
> Peay Vineyard PN (Sonoma Coast) $49
> Flax Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $54
> Weir Vineyard PN (Yorkville Highlands) $54
> Ferrington Vineyards (Anderson Valley) $59
> Hirsch Vineyards (Sonoma Coast) $69
> Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $72
> Allen Vineyard PN (Russian River Valley) $75

Ed,
I haven't had many of the single vineyard offerings, but for my tastes
their Sonoma Coast and Russian River bottlings are usually at the top of
the heap. Rochioli and Allen are likely to be big, although Gary Farrell
makes a very lovely Allen Vyd PN, so maybe not too big for it. I'd
probably go for the Peay and the Bucher, although I'm not familiar with
the latter vineyard.

Sorry that I can't be of greater help,
Mark Lipton

Mixed Blessing
 

I had the Peay once and really liked. Never had the Hirsch, but it's my
favorite CA PN vineyard (I like the Littorai especially). But it may
come down just to preferred style- you might like RRV PN better than I.