Vineyard: Allen

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Drinking Bigger (8.27 12/14/2010)
Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.24 1/17/2016)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir (9.48 10/6/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.24 1/17/2016)
Along the Pinot Trail in California: Part 2 - North Coast & Other (9.8 6/24/2012)
On the Pinot Trail: WOPN 2010 (8.13 4/8/2010)
Tasting Aged Williams Selyem Pinot Noir: Bottled Surprises (9.38 2/22/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Chardonnay (9.41 5/15/2014)
Williams Selyem: A California Icon (8.11 2/15/2010)
Reach for the Middle for Pinot Noir (8.26 11/24/2010)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.25 2/5/2016)
Tasting Along the Pinot Road (10.32 6/18/2016)
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery: New Winemaker Carries on Tradition (9.21 3/23/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (& Chardonnay) (10.1 12/11/2014)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Williams Selyem
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Alysian Wines

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Russian River Valley Chardonnay

585 cases, $60. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of citrus, herbs and underbrush. Very smooth on the palate, with an earthiness and acid-driven minerality evident that underlies the savory citrus and pear flavors. Score: 91-92. Reviewed June 19, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.33, TA 0.66, 473 cases, $55. Released September 2015. Sourced from two adjacent vineyards: Rochioli vineyard and Allen Vineyard planted just to the South, which is farmed by the Rochioli family. Primarily clones 76 and 15 from the Allen Vineyard and clone 5 from the Rochioli River Block Vineyard. Harvest Brix 22.0º-23.0º. Whole cluster pressed, inoculated fermentation with Montrachet yeast, barrel fermented, aged 8 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas and flavors of nectarine, lemon, grilled grapefruit, vanilla and toast combined with a comforting texture make for delightful drinking. A noticeable attack precedes an expanding fullness on the slightly viscous palate, finishing with a burst of acidity. Beautifully composed and seamless. Score: 92. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyard Oak Puncheon Fermented Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.1% alc., pH 3.33, TA 0.76, 103 cases, $60. Released October 2015. A blend of clone 15 from Allen Vineyard and clone 5 from the Rochioli River Block Vineyard. Harvest Brix 22.0º-23.0º. Whole cluster pressed, inoculated fermentation with Montrachet yeast, aged in 500-liter French oak puncheons and left on the lees. Oak puncheons add subtle structure and aromatics and polish the finished wine without dominating the expression of terroir. Aged 8 months (50% new) and bottled separately from the larger Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Chardonnay because of its unique profile. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Lovely blend of citrus and tropical fruits with oak leads to a delicious charge of citrus and yellow peach flavors with conspicuous, but pleasant, oak influence. Noticeable weight and presence on the palate with a satiny texture and a refreshing cut of acidity on the finish. Very appealing, especially to those who like a bit of appropriate oak overlay in their Chardonnay (I do). Score: 93. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.70, 414 cases, $70. Released February 2016. Sourced from Rochioli Vineyard and Allen Vineyard located nearby on opposite sides of Westside Road. Predominantly Pommard from old (1974) and new (1996) Allen Vineyard plantings with the balance is Pommard from the Rochioli River Block. Small % of whole clusters, 5 to 7-day cold soak, inoculated fermentations, 10 to 15-day post-fermentation extended maceration, aged on primary lees for 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Nuances abound in this wine, with aromas of cherries, red rose petals, spice, earth and woodland. Lovely cherry flavor tip toes on entry, tap dances mid palate, and hip hops through a boisterous and remarkably sustained finish. A beautifully composed, harmonious wine that will please now yet enthrall for several years to come. Score: 94. Reviewed February 5, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.64, $82. Released fall 2015. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 64% new and 36% 1-year-old. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. An array of inviting aromas include strawberry, cherry, raspberry, cardamom spice, and sweet smoke. On the palate, oak plays too great a role currently for me to thoroughly enjoy the wine. Mid weight fruit flavors of black cherry, spice and earthiness are dominated by oak-driven notes of toast and smoke. The wine finishes with a slightly tart (? acid addition), cherry-driven note. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle the luscious fruit was more expressive and the oak overlay had lessened a bit. Best to cellar this wine for another year or two. Score: 90. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Russian River Valley Chardonnay

13.8% alc., pH 3.32, TA 0.65, 317 cases, $50. Sourced from two adjacent vineyards, Rochioli and Allen. Mainly clones 76 and 15 from three blocks of the Allen Vineyard and the balance is clone 5 from the Rochioli River Block. Harvest Brix 22.5º-23.0º. Whole cluster pressed using two regimens. River Block grapes pressed using a slightly more extractive program, while a gentle, modified Champagne program was used for the smaller clusters of the Allen Vineyard. After pressing, the juice was transferred for native fermentation and 8 months of barrel aging in 40% new French oak barrels and 500-L puncheons. The wine was racked off the primary lees only once before bottling. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Clean and bright on the nose with aromas of lemon, citrus blossom, golden apple, and passion fruit. Richly flavored with baked apple, yellow peach, apricot and caramel with a creamy mouth feel and a burst of electric, citrus-driven acidity on the finish. Score: 90. Reviewed May 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.69, 317 cases, $70. Released September 2014. Sourced from Rochioli Vineyard and Allen Vineyard which lie opposite on Westside Road. Both vineyards are farmed by the Rochioli family. Clones are Pommard from the Allen Old (planted in 1974) and New (planted in 1996) North Hill blocks, with the balance consisting of Pommard from Rochioli River Block. 10% whole cluster. 5 to 7-day cold soak, 10 to 15-day extended maceration, aged on the primary lees 14 months in 40% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Vibrant aromas of raspberry, black cherry, rose petal and baking spice are attention-grabbing. A vigorous mid palate attack of black raspberry and ollaliberry flavors is tenacious and palate soaking. There is a compliment of spice, earth, oak and savory herb notes in the background. Very smoothly textured with well-managed tannins, bright acidity, and a remarkable intensely fruited finish. Still fine the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, with the grand cru finish still in evidence. This dreamy Pinot will age gracefully. Score: 93-94. Reviewed October 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $82. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The knockout nose is orgasmic, featuring spicy black cherry, berry wonderland and dark chocolate aromas. Soft, smooth and polished on the palate, the dark red cherries and berries attack with intent, and the epic flavor circus finishes with a grand cru level of bombastic cherry goodness. The texture is very seductive and the fruit is vibrant and pure. Superlatives don’t do this spectacular wine justice. Score: 96. Reviewed December 10, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Gary Farrell Rochioli-Allen Vineyards Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.0% alc., pH 3.35, TA 0.66, 298 cases, $45. Released February 2013. Multiple clones from both the renowned Rochioli and Allen vineyards. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Shy aromas of citrus, baked pear, and spice lead to a well-composed palate-filling wine featuring flavors that echo the aromas. This wine is all about concentration and length, yet has the vivid acid backbone needed to energize the flavors and lift the finish. Exceptional. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Alysian Russian River Valley Selection

13.8% alc., pH 3.41, TA 0.73, 2,231 cases, $40. Multiple vineyard sources (Rochioli, Allen, Floodgate, Starr Ridge and Hallberg). Clones Pommard, 777, Martini, 115, Cruz and 828. 100% de-stemmed, aged 10 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Gary points out, “While we love the vineyard-specific wines for their purity and focused expression of each individual property, the Russian River Selection often displays greater complexity and (to some) is a more complete and satisfying offering.” · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of Bing cherries and strawberries with good volume. Exuberant flavors of black cherries, dark red berries, tea leaf, cola and clove with a slight herbal note contributed by sweet oak. Full-bodied yet not overbearing, with reserved tannins, and admirable length. I agree with Gary that this is his finest Alysian Russian River Valley Selection to date. Exceptional flavor and intensity at a modest alcohol level: the holy grail of Pinot Noir. Very good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $78. · Moderately light in reddish-purple hue in the glass. Shy, but very bracing aromas of red cherry and berry fruits with a hint of cut flowers and wintergreen. Flat-out delicious core of strawberry and black cherry cola flavors. Very smooth and sexy with a proper acid backbone to pitch the fruit. A seductive wine now, but needs more time to fully mature. All you can ask for in a Middle Reach Pinot Noir. Reviewed November 24, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.50, $78 Released fall 2010. From a vineyard planted in the early 1970s. Aged 18 months in 60% new and 40% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Shy, but very bracing aromas of red cherry and berry fruits with a hint of cut flowers and wintergreen. Flat-out delicious core of strawberry and black cherry cola flavors that saturate the mid-palate. Very smooth and sexy with a proper acid backbone to pitch the fruit. A seductive wine now, but needs more time to fully mature. All you can ask for in a Middle Reach Pinot Noir. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $78. · Subdued aromas of wild berries and plums. Earth-laden dark fruits with a hint of tea and root beer. Rich and husky but not showing much chutzpah now. Smoothly textured and well-crafted but dull. I expect more from this bottling and perhaps it will improve with time in the cellar. I didn’t have a second bottle to sample. Decent (+). Reviewed February 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

1995 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc.. · Beautiful deep mahogany color in the glass. Very sexy nose with fresh aromas of black cherry, spice, potpourri and peat. Still fresh and vivid with plenty of full-flavored, very ripe dark berry and dark cherry fruits with an appealing earthy bent. This was a remarkable bottle that belied its age and was simply extraordinary. When tasted the next day from a previously opened bottle, not surprisingly it had faded. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

1991 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., pH 3.54, 688 cases, $35. Harvested at 22.5 to 23.8 Brix. Aged 16 months in 50% new and 50% 1-year-old Francois Freres oak barrels. · Aromas of green tea, green bean and cherries. Lightly fruited on the palate with notes of strawberries, rhubarb and faint brown spice offset by bright acidity. Oak tannins surfaced as the wine faded over time in the glass. Reviewed April 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »