Pop and pour. Tasted with food (spaghetti in fresh, home made tomato sauce with chicken and fried eggplant, i. Case you were wondering). Then followed on its own. Beautiful color. Dark ruby color with a nice shimmer. Wonderful floral bouquet with cherry candy, tea, and fresh tobacco. Floral turns to savory with time open, leaning forest floor. Dark fruited intro with spice notes. Has an astringent metallic note on the mid-palate. That changes with a bit more time open and swirling in the glass. Turns red berry fruit on the finish.
Darker fruit profile than the Hirsch Hirsch San Andreas. With time open, that astringent nite dissipates a bit yet there remains a slight tart bitterness. The bouquet is the star here.
Lovely but still needs more time in the bottle. A bit unbalanced. Definite sense of the Hirsch terroir. A bit more ripe in style than Hirsch-vinified wines. Bright and nice acid, though a bit tart at moments. Some rich currant and raspberry notes, with some plum and tobacco. Medium finish.
Good PN in thw WS style - don’t expect a Hirsch-like wine. Exhuberant nose of cherries, rhubarb, pomegranate, tea, Asian spices. Palate follows the nose. Good balance, if in a somewhat big bold style. Should drink well for at least 5 more yrs.
Ok. This was good. From the first really tight taste to the fully open two hours later. Heavy. Cherry. Layers. Had with meat with a sour cherry and port sauce. Great combo. This is what I want in a bigger Pinot. Can age longer. Other vintages have been great also.
I’m with Sauvyfan on this one as far as trying to be bigger than it naturally would be...though I have noticed in WS’s release newsletters that they classify Hirsch as full bodied. A well-aged 96 WS Hirsch was an epiphany wine for me about 15 years ago. Too bad Hirsch vineyard isn’t sharing grapes with WS anymore. Back to this wine, I should have decanted. As it was on a pop and pour, modest nose, not particularly giving on the fruit on the palate, and a tight finish. Tight overall. It was maybe getting better at the end, but upon finishing my wife and I agreed it wasn’t the best Hirsch we’ve had. I think this would definitely benefit from some more time in the cellar. Maybe just a dumb phase, maybe I was just dumb for opening too early or not decanting...but I generally don’t decant pinots. Give it more time, or...ahem...give it a decent. I’m also mindful of the “next day” comments below, notes and score are for 1-sitting PnP
Pretty full bodied pinot. Pours fairly dark. Nice nose that improved with 30 plus minutes of air. Layer in the mid palette. Smooth lingerie g finish. Hold or drink with short decant
"Hirsch Blocks 4B, 5E, & 6F that make up the Williams Selyem Hirsch Pinot Noir are planted to Mt. Eden, Pommard and Swan clones, respectively." Aged 16 mos in 65% new oak, 35% 1 year; 14.1% ABV, 0.66g/100mL T.A., & 3.52 pH.
N: Slightly closed; Faded roses with notes of smoke, poss minerals? Intensity lurking?
P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with LOVELY frt with almost a grapefrt met by bracing acidity with a VERY slight astringency which slowly, SEAMLESSLY morphs into quite a LONG, spicy, tangy/sweet (60:40) finish with HINTS of swtness to the occasional notes of bitterness. Certainly APPROACHABLE now, I'm guessing this DESERVES into mid '20, then EASILY making its 10th. My EXC-/EXC, with potential exceptionality ALMOST a guarantee. 95 pts Vinous (Galloni), 93 Burghound, 93 & "Cellar Selection" from WE @ $78, 91+ WA, & 88 WS.
[Note: The majority of this was consumed as my contribution to the Fri Tasting Group, the consensus of which was that it needed more time -- I even heard 4-5 yrs. So, barring numerous notes to the contrary here, I'm not likely to open either of my remaining 2 bottles until EARLY '22.]
Day 2: N: Roses, poss with notes of plums. Luuuuuuuuuv the aromas! :)
P: Consensus of the family seems to be this DOES *need* time: whether my 2 yrs or José's 4-5 is, of course the question. Since I've 2 remaining bottles, I'll likely wind up splitting the difference with the 1st.
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This rich and layered Pinot is drinking impressively right now - and bested a 2013 Littorai Hirsch tasted side-by-side. Cherry red in color and medium in color, this wine has a brambly and dusty nose of sour cherry, gravel, and raspberry seeds. Tastes of raspberry, pomegranate, herbs, and pomegranate, with a lovely and lingering finish. 14.1% alcohol. The wine started out candied, but it got more nuanced after a few hours of air. Drink now or in next few years.
Drinking this next to the Littorai led me to conclusions expected and less so. I figured the Williams Selyem would be rounder, richer, and riper - and it was. The Littorai had a more graceful profile, though it was also thinner and more stemmy (12.8% alcohol). I respect the lithe purity of the Littorai - a bit standoffish and ascetic for me, but I can see how people like it: there is power there, albeit tightly coiled. In contrast, I enjoyed the depth and hospitality of the William Selyem; it welcomes you in, ripeness and all, and it doesn't let go. Both are quality wines, though I preferred the Williams Selyem - such a nice combination of indulgence and restraint.
I have long enjoyed the many iterations of Hirsch Pinot and was very much looking forward to WS's. It was after all, the most expensive Hirsch I've ever bought, so it must be great. I was disappointed. It's a very nice wine, but much too aggressive and stemmy on the finish for my liking. The mid-palate was a little muddled and thick as well. My experience is that Hirsch fruit tends to lean feminine. This wine is trying hard to be bigger than it should be.
A little disappointed with this one. I rated it 88 points, which I think is generous. Not much on the nose, not as complex as I would have expected. Wondering if I should have decanted it. Will revisit the wine tomorrow and update these notes if appropriate. First time I have been disappointed with a W-S pinot,
Drank over two days. Not much difference on the second day. Typically delightful Selyem Pinot. Not more complex than the Russian River Valley Selyem and wish it had something a little more distinctive at this price point.
2/16/2024 - wineguy1968 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Needs just a bit of air but drinking nice.
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8/5/2022 - MC wrote:
PNP. Dark fruit, concentrated but great balance and expands on the palate with a great finish. In a great spot but will hold. A
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4/1/2022 - Djfermentation wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful nose but a bit ripe and extracted for my Pinot Noir tastes. A nice drink though that went well with the leg of lamb at Bouchon LV.
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1/15/2022 - Boutenac Likes this wine:
Dinner with Hugo and Cheryl. Hugo liked.
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11/14/2021 - lonesomerockguy wrote: 91 Points
very hedonistically fruity nose black black cherry fruit, cola, Dr. Pepper. lavish and well made but very rich.
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11/8/2021 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Brilliant pinot from first sniff to last sip--luxurious cherry, pomegranate, plum fruit yet so much more.
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9/25/2021 - t_moderne wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. Tasted with food (spaghetti in fresh, home made tomato sauce with chicken and fried eggplant, i. Case you were wondering). Then followed on its own.
Beautiful color. Dark ruby color with a nice shimmer.
Wonderful floral bouquet with cherry candy, tea, and fresh tobacco. Floral turns to savory with time open, leaning forest floor.
Dark fruited intro with spice notes. Has an astringent metallic note on the mid-palate. That changes with a bit more time open and swirling in the glass. Turns red berry fruit on the finish.
Darker fruit profile than the Hirsch Hirsch San Andreas.
With time open, that astringent nite dissipates a bit yet there remains a slight tart bitterness.
The bouquet is the star here.
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8/25/2021 - PDavisMarble wrote: 92 Points
Lovely but still needs more time in the bottle. A bit unbalanced. Definite sense of the Hirsch terroir. A bit more ripe in style than Hirsch-vinified wines. Bright and nice acid, though a bit tart at moments. Some rich currant and raspberry notes, with some plum and tobacco. Medium finish.
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11/29/2020 - bravo.solares Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good PN in thw WS style - don’t expect a Hirsch-like wine. Exhuberant nose of cherries, rhubarb, pomegranate, tea, Asian spices. Palate follows the nose. Good balance, if in a somewhat big bold style. Should drink well for at least 5 more yrs.
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11/20/2019 - Deepdrop Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big Pinot that is still a bit tight. Cherry and pomegranate. Long finish. I think there’s upside with time.
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11/15/2019 - Eatmypixels Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ok. This was good. From the first really tight taste to the fully open two hours later. Heavy. Cherry. Layers. Had with meat with a sour cherry and port sauce. Great combo. This is what I want in a bigger Pinot. Can age longer. Other vintages have been great also.
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7/4/2019 - blaine wrote: 89 Points
I’m with Sauvyfan on this one as far as trying to be bigger than it naturally would be...though I have noticed in WS’s release newsletters that they classify Hirsch as full bodied. A well-aged 96 WS Hirsch was an epiphany wine for me about 15 years ago. Too bad Hirsch vineyard isn’t sharing grapes with WS anymore. Back to this wine, I should have decanted. As it was on a pop and pour, modest nose, not particularly giving on the fruit on the palate, and a tight finish. Tight overall. It was maybe getting better at the end, but upon finishing my wife and I agreed it wasn’t the best Hirsch we’ve had. I think this would definitely benefit from some more time in the cellar. Maybe just a dumb phase, maybe I was just dumb for opening too early or not decanting...but I generally don’t decant pinots. Give it more time, or...ahem...give it a decent. I’m also mindful of the “next day” comments below, notes and score are for 1-sitting PnP
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4/16/2019 - Winokdub wrote: 92 Points
Pretty full bodied pinot. Pours fairly dark. Nice nose that improved with 30 plus minutes of air. Layer in the mid palette. Smooth lingerie g finish. Hold or drink with short decant
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5/4/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Celebrating 3 B-Days; 5/4/2018-5/6/2018 (Home & Italianissimo Trattoria): Private Preserve after Day 1
"Hirsch Blocks 4B, 5E, & 6F that make up the Williams Selyem Hirsch Pinot Noir are planted to Mt. Eden, Pommard and Swan clones, respectively." Aged 16 mos in 65% new oak, 35% 1 year; 14.1% ABV, 0.66g/100mL T.A., & 3.52 pH.
N: Slightly closed; Faded roses with notes of smoke, poss minerals? Intensity lurking?
P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with LOVELY frt with almost a grapefrt met by bracing acidity with a VERY slight astringency which slowly, SEAMLESSLY morphs into quite a LONG, spicy, tangy/sweet (60:40) finish with HINTS of swtness to the occasional notes of bitterness. Certainly APPROACHABLE now, I'm guessing this DESERVES into mid '20, then EASILY making its 10th. My EXC-/EXC, with potential exceptionality ALMOST a guarantee. 95 pts Vinous (Galloni), 93 Burghound, 93 & "Cellar Selection" from WE @ $78, 91+ WA, & 88 WS.
[Note: The majority of this was consumed as my contribution to the Fri Tasting Group, the consensus of which was that it needed more time -- I even heard 4-5 yrs. So, barring numerous notes to the contrary here, I'm not likely to open either of my remaining 2 bottles until EARLY '22.]
Day 2: N: Roses, poss with notes of plums. Luuuuuuuuuv the aromas! :)
P: Consensus of the family seems to be this DOES *need* time: whether my 2 yrs or José's 4-5 is, of course the question. Since I've 2 remaining bottles, I'll likely wind up splitting the difference with the 1st.
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3/25/2018 - D3S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good pinot. nice nose, red fruit and medium finish.
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3/12/2018 - msuwine wrote: 94 Points
This rich and layered Pinot is drinking impressively right now - and bested a 2013 Littorai Hirsch tasted side-by-side. Cherry red in color and medium in color, this wine has a brambly and dusty nose of sour cherry, gravel, and raspberry seeds. Tastes of raspberry, pomegranate, herbs, and pomegranate, with a lovely and lingering finish. 14.1% alcohol. The wine started out candied, but it got more nuanced after a few hours of air. Drink now or in next few years.
Drinking this next to the Littorai led me to conclusions expected and less so. I figured the Williams Selyem would be rounder, richer, and riper - and it was. The Littorai had a more graceful profile, though it was also thinner and more stemmy (12.8% alcohol). I respect the lithe purity of the Littorai - a bit standoffish and ascetic for me, but I can see how people like it: there is power there, albeit tightly coiled. In contrast, I enjoyed the depth and hospitality of the William Selyem; it welcomes you in, ripeness and all, and it doesn't let go. Both are quality wines, though I preferred the Williams Selyem - such a nice combination of indulgence and restraint.
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2/20/2018 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 91 Points
I have long enjoyed the many iterations of Hirsch Pinot and was very much looking forward to WS's. It was after all, the most expensive Hirsch I've ever bought, so it must be great. I was disappointed. It's a very nice wine, but much too aggressive and stemmy on the finish for my liking. The mid-palate was a little muddled and thick as well. My experience is that Hirsch fruit tends to lean feminine. This wine is trying hard to be bigger than it should be.
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11/6/2017 - WineGalDT wrote: 94 Points
A little disappointed with this one. I rated it 88 points, which I think is generous. Not much on the nose, not as complex as I would have expected. Wondering if I should have decanted it. Will revisit the wine tomorrow and update these notes if appropriate. First time I have been disappointed with a W-S pinot,
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4/6/2017 - bobvictor Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank over two days. Not much difference on the second day. Typically delightful Selyem Pinot. Not more complex than the Russian River Valley Selyem and wish it had something a little more distinctive at this price point.
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8/3/2016 - jwijaya wrote:
AG95
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