1999 Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
(13.5% alcohol): Light medium-red, with very little amber. Rather stunted on the nose, even a touch reduced initially, offering aromas of dark berries, black cherry, Kahlua and tequila. The palate conveys a liqueur-like flavor of dark cherries macerated in alcohol. Nicely concentrated but an outlier in this tasting--at once slightly hard-edged and hinting at incipient maderization. Finishes firmly tannic.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Sweet and sour cherry aromas jump from the glass of the 1999 Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard. Dried herb characteristics are also noticeable in this tart, medium-bodied effort with excellent purity, and plenty of sweet cranberry and cherry fruit subtly dosed with toasty oak. High acid results in a clipped finish, but this 1999 should age nicely for 7-8 years. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546
Bright, healthy ruby-red. Fresh, floral aromas of raspberry, strawberry and toasty oak; this wine always reminds me of Chambolle-Musigny. Intensely flavored and high-pitched; currently tightly wound and closed in on itself due to its strong spine of acidity. But there also wonderfully subtle floral sweetness in the mouth, noteworthy verve, and a very long, ripe back end. Very concentrated but very young: the '98 was a bit sexier at a similar stage of its development, but this '99 is at least as strong.
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.