Allen vineyard supplied the best grapes to Rochioli and Williams Selyem for years. Now with two winemakers in the family they make their own wine. The Allen 2023 is one of the best pinots I have tasted in 60 years of wine tasting. The wine has a nose that makes you just want to spend time enjoying the couplex perfume. The mouth is full of flavor but delicate, This is Russian River fruit so not shy. The taste kept changing every few moments.
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I tried one of my bottles as well, same impression. Will continue buying!
Wow, can’t believe I didn’t know this. That’s awesome. This is one of the best vineyards in California. Look forward to checking it out. Thanks for the heads up!
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How much does the wine cost?
$75 per bottle
$70.00 per 750ml
$150.00 per 1500 ml.
All orders seem to be wish list
In terms of ripeness, feminine v masculine, darkness, alcohol, AFWE v modern, whatever terms you like, where does this pinot compare to Williams-Selyem Allen (or Williams Selyem RRV pinots generally)?
I met her last year at her day job in the Kistler tasting room. She was delightful. Hopefully it does well.
This wine is more like the William Selyem wine of the old days not the current wines. Lighter and more complex. Not a big bold RRV wine.
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Despite putting my name on the “wish list” barely more than a week ago, today my wish was granted with unexpected delivery of a half case!
Will let these settle from travel shock and report back.
I would say leaning towards ripeness but it is very balanced otherwise – it is not a Cherry Coke bomb nor is it an austere princess. ABV is 13.5%
- 2023 Allen Vineyards Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/16/2025)
Winemaker recommends decanting, but tasted open and ready from pulling the cork.
Pours a youthful light ruby-purple. The nose on this is powerfully fragrant -- you can practically smell this from across the street! Red and blue fruit are primary with light earth, tea, bay leaf, light wood and spice. Despite the power of the nose, it is elegant. The palate follows and is complex - fruit with cinnamon, soft minerality, fine tannins, only moderate acidity. It is neither brooding nor fresh.
It is a very promising wine in its youth. It will probably open up beautifully over next couple years but am very interested to see how it develops long term. Very fine effort.
Posted from CellarTracker
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Planning to pop one of these this weekend. Sounds promising.
Ordered 3 more!
What’s their website? I can’t find anything other than the cellartracker posted above. Where are you guys buying this wine?
EDIT: Ok it’s literally allenvineyards.com LOL but wow I’ve never encountered something so un-google-able.
I opened a 2023 last night. Wow, complex nose, that seemed a fit for a rich deep pinot. BUT the wine was not big ripe bold pinot. The wine is elegant, the flavor changes every few sips. What an interesting complex, enjoyable wine. The best pinot I have had in years. This will only get better with a few years in the bottle. I need to buy more while the small production is still available.
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Had it over the weekend as well and your note captures it nicely. A typical RRV nose but it was so complex. Truly beautiful and unexpected for a wine this young. I thought the palate was really surprising after it - it was elegant and midweight. Just great balance and everything in harmony. Aside from a bit of astringency on the finish that will dissipate with a few years in bottle, this was a really top notch wine. Glad I bought a six pack!
Great to see what these young winemakers are doing with the great fruit from the iconic vineyard. Everyone I have tasted on the 2023 has been blown away with the powerful nose and elegant wine.
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