1999 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard (1,100 cases) exhibits that vineyard's tell-tale meaty, black cherry, and mineral-like characteristics as well as a sinewy, muscular, concentrated, firm palate, high acidity, and plenty of broodingly backward black fruits. It will need time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Fresh nose with that primary smell of pre-fermentation cold soak (don't remember this from the previous regime). Very different from most California Pinots. Quite tough. No tendresse. Chewy. Very, very youthful. May get there but for the moment it is certainly not charming. (JR)
Full red-ruby. Sappy raspberry, cherry cola, green tea, violet and pepper on the nose. Bright, tightly wound and pure, with pungently fresh berry flavors enlivened by brisk, harmonious acids. Very long and precise on the uncompromisingly dry finish, which features solid tannic spine. The crop level here was less than a ton an acre in '99, according to Cabral. Very promising pinot built for long life.
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.