1999 Williams Selyem "Hirsch Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
SKU #1013201
91 points
Int'l Wine Cellar
Full red-ruby. Sappy raspberry, cherry cola, green tea, violet and pepper on the nose. Bright, tightly wound and pure, with pungently fresh berry flavors enlivened by brisk, harmonious acids. Very long and precise on the uncompromisingly dry finish, which features solid tannic spine. The crop level here was less than a ton an acre in '99, according to Cabral. Very promising Pinot built for long life. (ST) 91+
(6/2001)
91 points
Wine Spectator
Distinctive and assertive. Rich, intense and concentrated, with layers of black cherry, wild berry, plum and mineral that are backed by mouthcoating tannins. (JL)
(5/2002)
90 points
John Gilman
The nose on the ’99 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot is quite lush and aromatically satisfying, soaring from the glass in a youthful blaze of blackberries, pomegranate, milk chocolate, herb tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and shapely, with the lush fruit reigned in nicely by sound acidity, and the ripe tannins covered completely on the long, velvety finish. The Hirsch bottling is never the most complex W-S Pinot, but it trades well on its opulent fruit and chocolatey tones coupled with bright acids and excellent grip. This will be a good drink.
(2/2004)
90 points
Wine Advocate
The 1999 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard (1,100 cases) exhibits that vineyard's tell-tale meaty, black cherry, and mineral-like characteristics as well as a sinewy, muscular, concentrated, firm palate, high acidity, and plenty of broodingly backward black fruits. It will need time in the bottle. (RP)
(8/2002)