My magnum drank over 2 days: Delicious nose of ripe cherry, some briar raspberry, a touch of licorice and root beer. Mouthfilling and smooth, the baked red fruit and sassafras flavors mix well to a great long finish that's perfect. Every sip over 2 days was delicious and compelling. Should be this great for another 2 years I think but perfect now.
Damn this is good. Tonight, the wine revealed itself similarly to the previous recent descriptions. Absolutely delightful. I am very partial to the extra richness of Russian River Valley pinots with respect to California pinots. Alluring aroma. Medium to full rich, smooth, delightful, ripe. Can't take off as much for the ripeness as other reviewers. Older Allens are special wines.
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{Bought on release, perfect fill, PopNPour} Intensely ripe red cherry fruits, sweet without sugar from ripeness, complex aromatics and palate reflects the nose. Good length and finish. This bottle has held up well - too ripe a style for me personally but beautifully made wine that convincingly demonstrates how good W-S wines can be.
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Dinner (Samir Uncle's House): Aromatic candied cherry, slight balsamic vinegar, really complex; light bodied, medium alcohol, red strawberry fruit, ripe and candied; medium finish. Nice and complex but seems a bit ripe for my preference. Still good... 91
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The wine looks brick colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like cranberry and strawberry jam. It tastes like cranberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has high acidity.
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Fantastic W-Selyem. Have been drinking these for 15+ years and this is the best I've ever tasted. Probably at its peak, but will last for years. Wish I had more in the cellar.
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Blood red. Intense nose that moved from red fruits to mint and leather. A beautiful, elegant wine. SIlky mouth, an initial attack of cherries, cola and plums. This gave way to earth and mint and finished with raspberries.
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Waited too long for this one. After a lengthy decant: rich cherry aromas and flavors evolve into an acidic, lengthy finish. Clearly well made, but does not have the complexity or intensity of aromas/flavors that it would have a few years ago.
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I've been on the WS mailing list since 1993, and always have my allocations shipped directly to a professional temp-controlled storage unit in NYC. This bottle which I opened last night has been in that unit since release, so suffice it to say it's been impeccably stored and should have been in ideal condition. To say it was a disappointment is an understatement. Completely dried out, no sign of red or black fruit, just a slight minty-pruney undertone, gave no pleasure whatsoever. As completely over the hill as any California PN I've ever had. The 99 point review given by the previous reviewer is shocking to me. Either he misrecorded the vintage or a friend played a practical joke on him and when he wasn't looking poured out his glass and substituted the 2007 vintage. There is simply no way, based on the bottle I had, that this is a 99 point wine in its present state. It's not even a 79 point wine.
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This is sublime; a real beauty, and ranks among the best pinots and best California wines I have ever tasted. Strong, deep ruby with lovely legs. Nose is full, penetrating, filled with copious cherry aromas and hints of cola. Hard to see how American Pinot gets much better. Unbelievably, the palate is even better. Gorgeous black cherry fruit is so concentrated and rich it seems like the wine is ready to burst from such sweet, rich fruit. While on the voluptuous side, the wine cannot be called fat at all, instead it has a nice structure and backbone. This wine has it ALL, and has just kept expanding with explosive aromas and flavors since I popped the cork less than an hour ago. Simply amazing for any wine, not to mention a Pinot that is fully ten years old. Proof positive that ripe American Pinot can age well and improve significantly, if there was still any question in my mind. If I hadn't bought and cellared this wine myself, I might not have believed its longevity, and obvious ability to last much longer, since it currently shows no sign of age or decline whatsoever. BRAVO!!! 5-14-19-10: 99/100.
i wanted to introduce our gracious hosts to a classic sonoma pinot so i chose this, and i chose wisely. i don't like RR pinots that taste like RC Cola. i do like the redder fruit and often times more delicate balance they provide. this is just going thru a mature transformation. it has complexity and lush black cherry. very nice. drink or hold.
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Truly a monumental wine at this stage. Huge nose for 2 hours from 6 inches above the glass: intense cola and black raspberry aromas. Voluptuous mouthful of sassafras and lovely sweet oak and red licorice. It's full bodied with a long and strong finish. A dried fruit and intense floral character stayed for the whole bottle. Just beginning to age but has depth and structure to evolve if you're a gambler. I've got a magnum left that will be a knockout within the next year. Took to Patina-Disney Hall for Manhattan Transfer Concert.
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Smoky aromas of toast, rose petal, black raspberry, a little rock dust and a citrus note. Broad, sophisticated flavors of sassafras, black cherry, a touch of cola and tangy apricot. The smoky, bright finish highlights tangy citrus and a pronounced floral aftertaste. A smooth, well integrated, proficient wine but not as good as two years ago. Too much oak char and tart acidity, and little soulless.
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Dark color. Drinking very young but absolutely lovely with a full-bodied richness of cherry fruit. Plush and long, this is lacking some of the classic mineral notes of this vineyard but that may come with more age. Concentrated and elegant at the same time. This is RRV pinot at its pinnacle. 94+
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14.4% alcohol. this is a bit too early to open, i'd recommend holding 2-3 more years, but you won't be disappointed now. i really wanted to take a W-S on a weekend trip, and chose this one...a wonderful example of how this producer has established it's own post sale identity. i remain a big fan. maybe the only quibble for me was a touch too much cherry in the flavor, but that's splitting hairs. it was a complex, delicious domestic pinot.
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Per Se - the first wine I can say I enjoyed. Pissed that the waiter took it. This isn't the best Pinot I've had, but very nice. Wouldn't look to buy it.
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Wonderfully complex nose of flowers, strawberry preserves, cola, vanilla, sassafras and a hint of forest floor. Beautiful, velvety, caressing mouthfeel with cola, black cherry, wood smoked meat and earthy notes. Excellent structure shows on the powerful finish. Will improve over the next 2-3 years and last many years after.
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Tasted at Chicago Wine Spectator. Best Pinot at show. Deep and integrated. Mailing list will be sent out end of January, turn around right away so that I can make purchase. WS 92
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2/4/2023 - mike1234 wrote:
Almost opaque deep cherry color, fruit on nose and perhaps a hint of cola, medium body, balanced acidity, hint of cinnamon on the palate and finish
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10/27/2022 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 95 Points
My magnum drank over 2 days: Delicious nose of ripe cherry, some briar raspberry, a touch of licorice and root beer. Mouthfilling and smooth, the baked red fruit and sassafras flavors mix well to a great long finish that's perfect. Every sip over 2 days was delicious and compelling. Should be this great for another 2 years I think but perfect now.
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6/6/2020 - simkodam wrote: 95 Points
Damn this is good. Tonight, the wine revealed itself similarly to the previous recent descriptions. Absolutely delightful. I am very partial to the extra richness of Russian River Valley pinots with respect to California pinots. Alluring aroma. Medium to full rich, smooth, delightful, ripe. Can't take off as much for the ripeness as other reviewers. Older Allens are special wines.
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2/25/2020 - Musigny1955 Likes this wine: 91 Points
{Bought on release, perfect fill, PopNPour} Intensely ripe red cherry fruits, sweet without sugar from ripeness, complex aromatics and palate reflects the nose. Good length and finish. This bottle has held up well - too ripe a style for me personally but beautifully made wine that convincingly demonstrates how good W-S wines can be.
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6/30/2019 - REWindsor Likes this wine: 91 Points
Hung in there well from the famous Allen vineyard of Rochioli.
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12/9/2017 - aagrawal wrote: 91 Points
Dinner (Samir Uncle's House): Aromatic candied cherry, slight balsamic vinegar, really complex; light bodied, medium alcohol, red strawberry fruit, ripe and candied; medium finish. Nice and complex but seems a bit ripe for my preference. Still good... 91
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9/23/2016 - Martysfo wrote: 90 Points
The wine looks brick colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like cranberry and strawberry jam. It tastes like cranberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has high acidity.
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4/3/2016 - rnellans wrote: 95 Points
My favorite of the vertical. Dark cherry. Beautiful nose. Silky. Big middle. ,ong.
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4/2/2016 - JoeDwine wrote: 95 Points
Birthday Dinner....Great Bottle, bricking, balsamic note earthy and plums. couple more years with good storage.
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3/3/2015 - garwood wrote: 98 Points
Fantastic W-Selyem. Have been drinking these for 15+ years and this is the best I've ever tasted. Probably at its peak, but will last for years. Wish I had more in the cellar.
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10/4/2014 - PDavisMarble wrote: 93 Points
Blood red. Intense nose that moved from red fruits to mint and leather. A beautiful, elegant wine. SIlky mouth, an initial attack of cherries, cola and plums. This gave way to earth and mint and finished with raspberries.
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6/11/2012 - davidspieker wrote: 90 Points
Waited too long for this one. After a lengthy decant: rich cherry aromas and flavors evolve into an acidic, lengthy finish. Clearly well made, but does not have the complexity or intensity of aromas/flavors that it would have a few years ago.
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3/31/2012 - GeorgeVI wrote: 70 Points
I've been on the WS mailing list since 1993, and always have my allocations shipped directly to a professional temp-controlled storage unit in NYC. This bottle which I opened last night has been in that unit since release, so suffice it to say it's been impeccably stored and should have been in ideal condition. To say it was a disappointment is an understatement. Completely dried out, no sign of red or black fruit, just a slight minty-pruney undertone, gave no pleasure whatsoever. As completely over the hill as any California PN I've ever had. The 99 point review given by the previous reviewer is shocking to me. Either he misrecorded the vintage or a friend played a practical joke on him and when he wasn't looking poured out his glass and substituted the 2007 vintage. There is simply no way, based on the bottle I had, that this is a 99 point wine in its present state. It's not even a 79 point wine.
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2/19/2012 - MicklethePickle wrote: 99 Points
This is sublime; a real beauty, and ranks among the best pinots and best California wines I have ever tasted. Strong, deep ruby with lovely legs. Nose is full, penetrating, filled with copious cherry aromas and hints of cola. Hard to see how American Pinot gets much better. Unbelievably, the palate is even better. Gorgeous black cherry fruit is so concentrated and rich it seems like the wine is ready to burst from such sweet, rich fruit. While on the voluptuous side, the wine cannot be called fat at all, instead it has a nice structure and backbone. This wine has it ALL, and has just kept expanding with explosive aromas and flavors since I popped the cork less than an hour ago. Simply amazing for any wine, not to mention a Pinot that is fully ten years old. Proof positive that ripe American Pinot can age well and improve significantly, if there was still any question in my mind. If I hadn't bought and cellared this wine myself, I might not have believed its longevity, and obvious ability to last much longer, since it currently shows no sign of age or decline whatsoever. BRAVO!!! 5-14-19-10: 99/100.
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7/30/2011 - jeff nowak wrote: 93 Points
i wanted to introduce our gracious hosts to a classic sonoma pinot so i chose this, and i chose wisely. i don't like RR pinots that taste like RC Cola. i do like the redder fruit and often times more delicate balance they provide. this is just going thru a mature transformation. it has complexity and lush black cherry. very nice. drink or hold.
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12/23/2010 - dino_mike wrote: 93 Points
Truly a monumental wine at this stage. Huge nose for 2 hours from 6 inches above the glass: intense cola and black raspberry aromas. Voluptuous mouthful of sassafras and lovely sweet oak and red licorice. It's full bodied with a long and strong finish. A dried fruit and intense floral character stayed for the whole bottle. Just beginning to age but has depth and structure to evolve if you're a gambler. I've got a magnum left that will be a knockout within the next year. Took to Patina-Disney Hall for Manhattan Transfer Concert.
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12/29/2009 - pgordon62 wrote: 91 Points
Smoky aromas of toast, rose petal, black raspberry, a little rock dust and a citrus note. Broad, sophisticated flavors of sassafras, black cherry, a touch of cola and tangy apricot. The smoky, bright finish highlights tangy citrus and a pronounced floral aftertaste. A smooth, well integrated, proficient wine but not as good as two years ago. Too much oak char and tart acidity, and little soulless.
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7/31/2009 - dream wrote: 94 Points
Dark color. Drinking very young but absolutely lovely with a full-bodied richness of cherry fruit. Plush and long, this is lacking some of the classic mineral notes of this vineyard but that may come with more age. Concentrated and elegant at the same time. This is RRV pinot at its pinnacle. 94+
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9/16/2007 - kleinahoe wrote: 90 Points
Perfectly fine, but I expected more
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6/25/2007 - jeff nowak wrote: 93 Points
14.4% alcohol. this is a bit too early to open, i'd recommend holding 2-3 more years, but you won't be disappointed now. i really wanted to take a W-S on a weekend trip, and chose this one...a wonderful example of how this producer has established it's own post sale identity. i remain a big fan. maybe the only quibble for me was a touch too much cherry in the flavor, but that's splitting hairs. it was a complex, delicious domestic pinot.
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6/16/2007 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 68 Points
Confectionary cherry sucking candy aroma, similarly tart and candied on the palate.
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6/16/2007 - Cheryl wrote:
Per Se - the first wine I can say I enjoyed. Pissed that the waiter took it. This isn't the best Pinot I've had, but very nice. Wouldn't look to buy it.
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12/25/2006 - pgordon62 wrote: 94 Points
Wonderfully complex nose of flowers, strawberry preserves, cola, vanilla, sassafras and a hint of forest floor. Beautiful, velvety, caressing mouthfeel with cola, black cherry, wood smoked meat and earthy notes. Excellent structure shows on the powerful finish. Will improve over the next 2-3 years and last many years after.
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4/20/2006 - AZ Wine Lover wrote: 93 Points
Excellent
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9/20/2005 - JJA wrote: 95 Points
Excellent! Smooth, fruity. A great wine to start a multi-course dinner with. Purchase.
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11/13/2004 - lewisrise wrote: 97 Points
Tasted at Chicago Wine Spectator. Best Pinot at show. Deep and integrated. Mailing list will be sent out end of January, turn around right away so that I can make purchase. WS 92
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