Williams Selyem, Pinot Noir Olivet Lane, Russian River Valley

High alcohol couldn't hide behind ripe, tired fruit. This may have had a moment when it came together, but this bottle on this night wasn't showing great.

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 …

Faulty. Cooked, corked? Not sure.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Still good with nice cherry complexity and good balance if a bit firm on the finish. Drink up.

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

Secondaries in the nose, mushroom. A bit bright in the mouth. Still drinking well, but not for too long. Des charact�ristics secondaires dans le nez, champignons. A la bouche, un peu de nerovosit�. A boire maintenant.

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 …

So lush for a '96 Pinot. Not one of Williams Selyem's best for the vintage, but it was very enjoyable...

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.