Hmm...
Not a bad pair to compare! After visiting both Etude and Williams Selyem last year, I've managed to secure bottles of each. Etude, the famous maker of Carneros Pinot Noir, makes one of, if not the best, from that area. I grabbed three of the Carneros Estate Pinots off WTSO not long ago for about half price! Our Williams Selyem bottles are resting in my cellar, waiting for their time - but this one is now beginning to hit its drinkability window, so the cork came out.
Etude shows the nice light red fruity nose expected from Carneros Pinots, along with baked strawberry pie and herbaceous spices. Very nice spicy and lightly earthy palette shows this wine as a cooler climate California Pinot which I prefer to the bigger, riper warm climate offerings. If you see it discounted, jump on it.
Williams Selyam is royalty in the Kingdom of Pinot Noir and the Russian River blend is the entry level wine. Blended from their famed Estate grapes, as well as Bucher and Drake vineyard grapes, you get great blast of cola, raspberries and mild acidity. Not cheap, but half the price of the Estate Pinot, it's a great way to find out what's going on over there at Williams Selyem. What I saw there was old-school hand grape presses, much attention to detail and one of the most beautiful estates in Russian River. If you have the chance, pick one up and schedule a visit... if you're in the wine club, that is.
Etude Carneros: T-Scale 90 point, at $32 (below $20 on WTSO!) this is a good choice for the entry level Etude, but still a wonderful overall Pinot Noir.
Williams Selyem Russian River: T-scale 90 points, at $46, it's not a bargain, but it's a good way to get your feet wet on Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, it will leave you wondering what's at the top tier! In a few years, I'll be able to tell you.
