PnP. Medium dark red. Ripe nose of dark cherry and plum with a hint of mineral/iron. Medium weight on the palate with good fruit/acid balance and resolved tannins. Smooth finish. This is quite good at age 13 and the W-S winemaker signature has faded allowing the vineyard character of minerality to come through. Good but the Littorai version is more transparent to site.
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What a fabulous wine. It is showing remarkably young, with brilliant red and dark cherries, cranberry, damp earth, pine needles, and a character that conjures up the misty redwoods surrounding the vineyard. In addition, there are some lovely subtle secondary notes creeping in of toast, baked clay, and dried herbs. What a great balance and this wine is at the perfect spot! I have had three expressions of this vineyard and would rank them as such- #1 Williams Selyem, #2 (very close second) Littorai, #3 Hirsch Vineyards. I've heard great things about David Hirsch's higher end bottlings, but I've only had the San Andreas Fault; it's a nice wine, but doesn't hold a candle to Williams Selyem or Littorai.
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Dark cherry, nutmeg, and baking spice on the nose, with a subtle floral note. Cherries dominate the palate, with some rich cola notes. This likely has another 5+ years ahead of it.
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Summertime 2019 - Lake House and Arlington: Tight black cherry and blueberry flavors prevail with complementary notes of tea and forest floor. Floral, evolving nose, smooth mouthfeel, good concentration. This was quite good, but given its price point, not sure if I’m a buyer in the future. Maybe needs more time.
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2h slo-ox. Developing nose and palate with cherrry preserve, aging spring flower bouquet. Well balanced and integrated, medium finish. Early mid drinking window. Great now and good for 3 or, likely, much longer.
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Dark crimson in the glass, with lively aromas of fresh fruit, spice box and forest floor. The vibrant acidity is the first thing registering on the palate, followed by flavors of black cherry, red raspberry and blueberry.
This wine is so well integrated and shows/drinks incredibly well right out of the bottle. I have to assume this is the peak for Hirsch as it's hard to imagine the wine getting any better. That said, I also expect it will continue to cellar well, with all the acidity and structure to preserve another 4-5 years.
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From coravin. Nose gives off nice rich fruit. Vanilla bean. Pleasingly expressive. No hint of the 14.3%. Medium to full bodied. Fruit profile leans toward dark cherry. More of that vanilla. Texture is supple. Lip-smacking finish.
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14.5% abv. Medium ruby, expressive aromas. Raspberry, spice box, mint and white flowers. Extremely well balanced and integrated. At it’s peak, but with years of enjoyment ahead. A beautiful expression.
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2010 WILLIAMS SELYEM HIRSCH VINEYARD SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR- one night after having the 10` Ferrington, this seemed to be a logical choice for a follow up and after drinking it, it was the perfect choice;; it had a deep red purple colour; the aromatics were filled with spicy, cinnamon accented strawberry and a noticeable touch of red raspberry; all was transported forward with some red cherry joining the fun; this was typical Hirsch with the spice and cinnamon component and the lighter side of the red fruit profile; the magnificent texture allowed for an even higher degree of elegance to be experienced; it was balanced, had lovely finesse and made a statement of royalty; this was a great bottle and mindful of Burt made Hirsch Pinots as was the Ferrington; 2010 was a good year for WS.
This is a great, mature CA pinot. It needed the cellar years, and will continue to improve for a few more years. A balance of fruit, earthiness and spice. An excellent expression of the Williams Selyem style.
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Get-Together with Friends (Santa Rosa): Seemingly in a good drinking window currently, with mature earth, cedar, and dark mulch notes to complement the black cherry and black raspberry looming underneath. A touch heavy on the cedar/soil side, but not so much that it is overly distracting. Balance and acid were in perfect check. This could certainly go a few more years, but I'd worry a little about it getting a little too funky after the 3+ year mark. For now, it's a beautifully brooding example of the varietal without being too heavy or cumbersome. Still has some nice verve to carry the flavors on through the back end. Drink now and over the next few years.
This was tasted alongside a 2014 Argot Estate Pinot and a 2012 Roadhouse Middle Reach Pinot. All were different wines. The Argot was my favorite, but this WS was very compelling given its earthy profile.
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This is always my favorite WS bottling, and this one doesn't disappoint. Great fruit, cola, and nutmeg on the nose. The palate shows solid fruit and cola notes, with some nice tannins and just a touch of heat.
Another year in bottle and this will likely be a phenomenal wine. It needs just a touch more smoothing out. Well worth the money.
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A powerful yet elegant Pinot that is drinking wonderfully right now. Light violet in color, medium in body, nose of baked cherries, red licorice, and baking spices. Tastes of dried strawberries, cranberries, pine needles, and cedar, with a juicy and candied finish that lingers pleasantly. 14.3% alcohol. I always admire William-Selyem's approach to this vineyard - not too light, not too heavy - very much right.
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PnP. Deep red. Complex nose of red and blue berries as well as quite a bit of minerality. On the palate quite intense and structured with significant tannins partially buried under the impressive fruit. A bit clenched on the finish - should improve further with air and/or more time in the cellar. Impressive though shows more of the W-S signature of ripeness and oak than the vineyard typical iron/mineral character.
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Amazing wine, terrific and perfectly balanced acidity, beautiful blue fruits, long finish. My very high expectations for this wine, on this vintage, were gloriously met!
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One hour decant plus an hour slow-o in bottle. Deep garnet color, slightly cloudy. Soaring nose of dark red and black fruits with lower toned earthy notes - complex aromatics are a highlight. Enormous fruit on palate, hints of red but mostly dark fruited profile, some spice, a bit of vanilla or creaminess, touch of heat, medium plus acidity. Very long finish. Big boned structure should allow to age for several years to come.
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Deep garnet to plum color, cloudy appearance (no filtration) adds to its earthiness. Scent is full of red and black fruit, with a deep inner core of Burgundian cassis, port and ethereal raisiny goodness. Hints of woodfire smoke, mushroom and forest floor. Beautiful fresh and juicy mouthfeel, with lush fruit again surrounding a core of refinement. A pleasure -- but give it 2-3 more years and it will be even better.
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The Wine Enthusiast recently posted their top picks for 2013, and were chosen to fill their #2 spot. The 2010 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir*, which was released last fall, is the only Pinot Noir to be found in the top 10 wines on their list. Click here to see the entire line-up.
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Far and away the best WS wine I've had. I've also been a big fan of Hirsch's San Andreas pinot. There is a remarkable likeness between the two. Juicy, balanced, with layers of flavor beyond fruit notes. Gorgeous nose.
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6/20/2023 - wabi47 wrote:
evolved over several days; a bit more ripe and savory than i recall
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2/5/2023 - rosenst1 wrote: 91 Points
PnP. Medium dark red. Ripe nose of dark cherry and plum with a hint of mineral/iron. Medium weight on the palate with good fruit/acid balance and resolved tannins. Smooth finish. This is quite good at age 13 and the W-S winemaker signature has faded allowing the vineyard character of minerality to come through. Good but the Littorai version is more transparent to site.
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12/26/2020 - PinotPaul Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding Pinot. Wow. Wish I had another.
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12/23/2020 - NoahCap wrote:
What a fabulous wine. It is showing remarkably young, with brilliant red and dark cherries, cranberry, damp earth, pine needles, and a character that conjures up the misty redwoods surrounding the vineyard. In addition, there are some lovely subtle secondary notes creeping in of toast, baked clay, and dried herbs. What a great balance and this wine is at the perfect spot! I have had three expressions of this vineyard and would rank them as such- #1 Williams Selyem, #2 (very close second) Littorai, #3 Hirsch Vineyards. I've heard great things about David Hirsch's higher end bottlings, but I've only had the San Andreas Fault; it's a nice wine, but doesn't hold a candle to Williams Selyem or Littorai.
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11/7/2020 - brujazz wrote: 92 Points
Absolutely in a great spot right now. Only regret is that I didnt have the patience to let it open up more!
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7/4/2020 - kkleg wrote: 92 Points
Dark cherry, nutmeg, and baking spice on the nose, with a subtle floral note. Cherries dominate the palate, with some rich cola notes. This likely has another 5+ years ahead of it.
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7/17/2019 - pgb67 wrote: 90 Points
Summertime 2019 - Lake House and Arlington: Tight black cherry and blueberry flavors prevail with complementary notes of tea and forest floor. Floral, evolving nose, smooth mouthfeel, good concentration. This was quite good, but given its price point, not sure if I’m a buyer in the future. Maybe needs more time.
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10/14/2018 - Empirate Likes this wine: 93 Points
2h slo-ox. Developing nose and palate with cherrry preserve, aging spring flower bouquet. Well balanced and integrated, medium finish. Early mid drinking window. Great now and good for 3 or, likely, much longer.
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8/19/2018 - VinoAddict wrote: 93 Points
Dark crimson in the glass, with lively aromas of fresh fruit, spice box and forest floor. The vibrant acidity is the first thing registering on the palate, followed by flavors of black cherry, red raspberry and blueberry.
This wine is so well integrated and shows/drinks incredibly well right out of the bottle. I have to assume this is the peak for Hirsch as it's hard to imagine the wine getting any better. That said, I also expect it will continue to cellar well, with all the acidity and structure to preserve another 4-5 years.
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7/28/2018 - 87tellub Likes this wine: 93 Points
From coravin. Nose gives off nice rich fruit. Vanilla bean. Pleasingly expressive. No hint of the 14.3%. Medium to full bodied. Fruit profile leans toward dark cherry. More of that vanilla. Texture is supple. Lip-smacking finish.
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5/24/2018 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 95 Points
14.5% abv. Medium ruby, expressive aromas. Raspberry, spice box, mint and white flowers. Extremely well balanced and integrated. At it’s peak, but with years of enjoyment ahead. A beautiful expression.
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11/18/2017 - Blake Brown Likes this wine:
2010 WILLIAMS SELYEM HIRSCH VINEYARD SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR- one night after having the 10` Ferrington, this seemed to be a logical choice for a follow up and after drinking it, it was the perfect choice;; it had a deep red purple colour; the aromatics were filled with spicy, cinnamon accented strawberry and a noticeable touch of red raspberry; all was transported forward with some red cherry joining the fun; this was typical Hirsch with the spice and cinnamon component and the lighter side of the red fruit profile; the magnificent texture allowed for an even higher degree of elegance to be experienced; it was balanced, had lovely finesse and made a statement of royalty; this was a great bottle and mindful of Burt made Hirsch Pinots as was the Ferrington; 2010 was a good year for WS.
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10/19/2017 - davidb18 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a great, mature CA pinot. It needed the cellar years, and will continue to improve for a few more years. A balance of fruit, earthiness and spice. An excellent expression of the Williams Selyem style.
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10/1/2017 - dlduchon Likes this wine: 88 Points
Quite balanced, refreshing to drink, some earthiness, nice acid on the finish. Holding up well. Floral alcohol on the nose.
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9/23/2017 - csimm wrote: 92 Points
Get-Together with Friends (Santa Rosa): Seemingly in a good drinking window currently, with mature earth, cedar, and dark mulch notes to complement the black cherry and black raspberry looming underneath. A touch heavy on the cedar/soil side, but not so much that it is overly distracting. Balance and acid were in perfect check. This could certainly go a few more years, but I'd worry a little about it getting a little too funky after the 3+ year mark. For now, it's a beautifully brooding example of the varietal without being too heavy or cumbersome. Still has some nice verve to carry the flavors on through the back end. Drink now and over the next few years.
This was tasted alongside a 2014 Argot Estate Pinot and a 2012 Roadhouse Middle Reach Pinot. All were different wines. The Argot was my favorite, but this WS was very compelling given its earthy profile.
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7/31/2017 - kkleg Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is always my favorite WS bottling, and this one doesn't disappoint. Great fruit, cola, and nutmeg on the nose. The palate shows solid fruit and cola notes, with some nice tannins and just a touch of heat.
Another year in bottle and this will likely be a phenomenal wine. It needs just a touch more smoothing out. Well worth the money.
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10/9/2016 - msuwine wrote: 94 Points
A powerful yet elegant Pinot that is drinking wonderfully right now. Light violet in color, medium in body, nose of baked cherries, red licorice, and baking spices. Tastes of dried strawberries, cranberries, pine needles, and cedar, with a juicy and candied finish that lingers pleasantly. 14.3% alcohol. I always admire William-Selyem's approach to this vineyard - not too light, not too heavy - very much right.
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3/25/2016 - rosenst1 wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Deep red. Complex nose of red and blue berries as well as quite a bit of minerality. On the palate quite intense and structured with significant tannins partially buried under the impressive fruit. A bit clenched on the finish - should improve further with air and/or more time in the cellar. Impressive though shows more of the W-S signature of ripeness and oak than the vineyard typical iron/mineral character.
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2/28/2016 - blaine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing wine, terrific and perfectly balanced acidity, beautiful blue fruits, long finish. My very high expectations for this wine, on this vintage, were gloriously met!
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11/26/2015 - Melli wrote: 98 Points
Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps the best WS I have ever had. Bravo! Well done team.
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9/16/2015 - Viking 61 wrote: 93 Points
Young, the cola mellowed out after an hour of air for a sophisticated smooth dark fruit earthy wonder.
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6/12/2015 - jhieb Likes this wine: 94 Points
Subtle and powerful at the same time. Strong tannin throughout, with a bit of tart cherry. Easily the best Williams Selyem I've had.
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5/31/2015 - kleinahoe Likes this wine: 90 Points
A little muddled, but it has aged nicely.
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8/16/2014 - Chris D Likes this wine: 93 Points
One hour decant plus an hour slow-o in bottle. Deep garnet color, slightly cloudy. Soaring nose of dark red and black fruits with lower toned earthy notes - complex aromatics are a highlight. Enormous fruit on palate, hints of red but mostly dark fruited profile, some spice, a bit of vanilla or creaminess, touch of heat, medium plus acidity. Very long finish. Big boned structure should allow to age for several years to come.
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4/11/2014 - Erolso1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep garnet to plum color, cloudy appearance (no filtration) adds to its earthiness. Scent is full of red and black fruit, with a deep inner core of Burgundian cassis, port and ethereal raisiny goodness. Hints of woodfire smoke, mushroom and forest floor. Beautiful fresh and juicy mouthfeel, with lush fruit again surrounding a core of refinement. A pleasure -- but give it 2-3 more years and it will be even better.
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11/13/2013 - Bbaris wrote:
The Wine Enthusiast recently posted their top picks for 2013, and were chosen to fill their #2 spot. The 2010 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir*, which was released last fall, is the only Pinot Noir to be found in the top 10 wines on their list. Click here to see the entire line-up.
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7/24/2013 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Far and away the best WS wine I've had. I've also been a big fan of Hirsch's San Andreas pinot. There is a remarkable likeness between the two. Juicy, balanced, with layers of flavor beyond fruit notes. Gorgeous nose.
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