WTN: 2006 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard

Russian River Valley, CA. 14.1% abv. The cork broke off as I tried to extract it and part of the cork ended up in the bottle. I poured the wine through a tea strainer to remove bits of cork. Deep purple color with brownish tones. Not as aromatic as I anticipated from this vineyard. Some darker fruit flavors such as mulberries. Well integrated. Improved on the second or third evening. I had this with turkey breast and savory dressing the first evening and with broccoli/cheese/ham soup the third evening. I have three other vintages of the WS Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir and hope for a little more from the other bottles.

Before opening the Allen Vineyard Pinot, I had opened a 2005 PALI PINOT NOIR CARGASACCHI JALAMA VINEYARD, Santa Barbara, CA. 14.1% abv. Dark purple color; opaque. Bright raspberry/red currant flavors. Not terribly impressed with it.

What other vintages do you have? The last vintage I tried from WS was 05, at which time I officially gave up on them.

I haven't had a Pali in a long time. I did like their entry level wine that was sub $20. That 2005 was made by Brian Lorin so one would have to think it was an early drinker.

Cheers,

Jason

[David M. Bueker]

I had a 2006 WS Zin several weeks ago that was cloudy and refermenting.

Did have a 2008(?) WS Bucher Vineyard Pinot over the summer that was very good.

I have the 2008, 2009, and 2011 vintages of Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Jason. The 2009 got a particularly high rating from IWC. I have had a number of other WS Pinots from the past decade that I have enjoyed--Flax Vineyard, Weir Vineyard, Bucher, etc. but expected more aromatics from the Allen Vineyard.