2000 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(14.2% alcohol): Good medium red with a touch of amber. Youthfully stunted nose hints at red fruits and cola. Nicely concentrated and ripe but less liqueur-like than the '99 bottling, with its flavors of plum and strawberry accented by notes of herbal tea, licorice and sassafras. Boasts excellent palate presence and finishes with a firm tannic spine. Lovely definition and energy here--and full of life. Winemaker Jeff Mangahas told me that the vines were converted to vertical trellising as the new "modern" plantings were added in the late 1990s and that this step quickly resulted in more effective photosynthesis.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The outstanding 250-case cuvee of 2000 Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard boasts a dark ruby/purple color as well as aromas of black raspberries, cherry cola, oak, and underbrush presented in a medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic, tart format. The acid and tannin suggest 2-3 years of cellaring is warranted. I would not be surprised to see it evolve for 12-15 years. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546
Saturated deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black cherry, cola, coffee, mocha, game, tar and brown spices; like a grand cru from Morey-Saint-Denis. Wonderfully opulent and mouthfilling; a wine of compelling sweetness and concentration, not to mention inner-mouth spicy perfume. This is almost massive for Allen, but sound acids give the wine shape and grip. Finishes with lush tannins and terrific length. One of the most exciting wines I've tasted from this producer in recent years.
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.