November 8, 2020 - Well, now, this was a surprise! Now, I'm a fan of this era of Williams Selyem, so it's not a surprise that I liked it. The shock was how much I liked it, especially in comparison to the other notes below. It was one of the better bottles of old WS I've ever had, right up there with some legendary Rochioli vineyard wines, though not as earthy or complex as the wines from that vineyard. This had a bright red look, darkening toward the middle into magenta. On the nose, ripe fruit, i.e. cherry, and more flowers than I expected, along with something earthy. On the palate, wow: beef blood - beef tartare, actually - sweet dark cherry, orange peel, and savory notes of mushroom. As it evolved, spice came out...clove and cinnammon. As is the style, this was elegant, but not delicate, and it is medium bodied. There's suppleness but not texture, so the mouthfeel was silky.
March 5, 2020 - Faulty. Cooked, corked? Not sure.
May 31, 2017 - 1996 WILLIAMS SELYEM OLIVET LANE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR- 14.9% abv.; a friend added this from his cellar to the mix; it was very typically briary with earth tones and some black fruit to compliment a lesser amount of red fruit; there was a little heat in the nose at first; some dried cherry/ berry notes came in by mid palate and finished off the wine.
January 25, 2017 - I'd purchased this bottle along with 2 bottles of 2001 WS Sonoma Coast PN, both of which were typical of a 15yo bottle of that type... nice, but tasting of an older wine that needs to be consumed rather quickly after opening. I fully expected that from this bottle, but was shocked at how good it was! Full, rich fruit flavors from the moment it was opened. I can't say how long it held up after opening, as with six of us it didn't last long. The only sign of age was that it needed no air to open up, where I prefer the younger WS PNs after they've had some breathing time. If I can find any more, I'd happily grab more of these.
July 12, 2014 - OPENED W BECKY AND RON 7/11/14. TASTED W MERRY EDWARDS PINOT 2001. BOTH WERE QUITE GOOD, BOUQUET SLIGHT, COLOR AMBER RED, TASTE FRUITY, LEGS SLIGHT. SO FAR MY W-S HAVE HELD UP VERY WELL.
December 25, 2013 - JUST RECEIVED A CORAVIN FOR MY BD, TAPPED THIS BOTTLE AND IT WAS DELIGHTFUL! BEAUITFUL COLOR, FRUITY WITH VERY NICE LEGS. LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING THE MANY BOTTLES OF W-S I HAVE.
April 26, 2013 - From magnum, purchased at WS Spring 2013 pick-up weekend. We opened this, poured a glass to work on slowly for an hour or so, and let the bottle sit and open up during the intervening time. The first two hours were very closed and old. After that, however, it blossomed into a gorgeous, classic Olivet Lane. Roses, kirsch, tart cherry, caramel, juicy black plum, and a little cola. The tannins felt great on the palate, silky and caressing. The oak was present, but very well integrated (as you'd expect after 17 years, but Burt and Ed DID use 100% new oak).
All in all, an excellent purchase, a blast to drink. Sad to hear they're sold out, or I'd buy more.
September 23, 2009 - Still good with nice cherry complexity and good balance if a bit firm on the finish. Drink up.
September 18, 2009 - Surprisingly good for its age. I was afraid I kept it too long. Very smooth with some good fruit, plums, berries. Beautiful color. Soft finish but not too complex
January 24, 2009 - Secondaries in the nose, mushroom. A bit bright in the mouth. Still drinking well, but not for too long.
Des charactéristics secondaires dans le nez, champignons. A la bouche, un peu de nerovosité. A boire maintenant.