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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Quite a beautifully aged CA pinot noir. The nose is a complex blend of raspberry, cranberry, roses, and sandlewood. Initially, it seemed thin in the mouth with some cranberry, spice, and earthy mushroom. With air, it picks up more depth and expands to cranberry, roses, spicy clove, and finishes with peppery notes. The midpalate now has more depth and gives the wine a plush mouthfeel without any heaviness. Structurally, the tannins are still present and the acidity provides lift to the ripe fruit. The finish has good length with fruit, spice, and pepper on the back of the tongue. On day two, the profile is still plush with soy on the nose and more emphasis on the red fruit end of the spectrum.
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Still youthful. Primary and ripe, full of cherries and spice. Velvety acids that melt in your mouth. Medium bodied and wonderful. A bit short on the finish, however.
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11/8/2020 - misterstarre Likes this wine: 96 Points
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.
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3/5/2020 - bobdobilina wrote: flawed
Faulty. Cooked, corked? Not sure.
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5/31/2017 - Blake Brown Likes this wine: 89 Points
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.
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1/25/2017 - RedLoverJim Likes this wine: 92 Points
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.
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7/12/2014 - docjer Likes this wine: 89 Points
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.
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12/25/2013 - docjer Likes this wine: 86 Points
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.
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4/26/2013 - Gordonium Likes this wine:
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.
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9/23/2009 - dream wrote: 88 Points
Still good with nice cherry complexity and good balance if a bit firm on the finish. Drink up.
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9/18/2009 - pretz wrote: 92 Points
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
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1/24/2009 - amosnomor wrote: 88 Points
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.
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12/25/2008 - Meerlust wrote: 88 Points
Quite a beautifully aged CA pinot noir. The nose is a complex blend of raspberry, cranberry, roses, and sandlewood. Initially, it seemed thin in the mouth with some cranberry, spice, and earthy mushroom. With air, it picks up more depth and expands to cranberry, roses, spicy clove, and finishes with peppery notes. The midpalate now has more depth and gives the wine a plush mouthfeel without any heaviness. Structurally, the tannins are still present and the acidity provides lift to the ripe fruit. The finish has good length with fruit, spice, and pepper on the back of the tongue. On day two, the profile is still plush with soy on the nose and more emphasis on the red fruit end of the spectrum.
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8/8/2008 - Herb K wrote:
So lush for a '96 Pinot. Not one of Williams Selyem's best for the vintage, but it was very enjoyable...
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10/13/2003 - mdefreitas wrote: 90 Points
Still youthful. Primary and ripe, full of cherries and spice. Velvety acids that melt in your mouth. Medium bodied and wonderful. A bit short on the finish, however.
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