Winery - Robert Young
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Another winning Chard, consistent with past vintages. Oozes flamboyant tropical fruit flavors, complex Asian spices and plenty of buttered toast and caramel char from good oak. All this in a rich, soft, vanilla-custardy texture that fills the mouth with pleasure. Drink now.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dry and smoothly tannic, the blackberry flavors have a softly herbal, earthy tinge. There’s a lot of new oak, possibly too much, because the smoky caramel is just a bit overpowering.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
What an amazing record Robert Young has with its Chardonnay, which has been famous as a vineyard-designate by Chateau St. Jean since the 1970s. As ever, the ’03 is rich and opulent, soft in acids and instantly addictive for the purity of fruit. Peaches and cream star, with a baked meringue complexity that’s simply irresistible.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A difficult vintage for the winery, and not the most successful Robert Young Chardonnay. But it does show the elegance of the vineyard. Rich in acids and oak, its underlying flavors are of oranges and pineapples. Drink now, not too cold.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
So good, it makes you want to shout. Possesses the beautifully ripe flavors that are expected of a great vintage, such as blackcurrant, cherry, white chocolate and cassis, with extra edges of smoky caramel and vanilla. The tannins are perfect, soft and easy, but as rich and complex as a Renoir. Differentiates itself from Napa with its softness and accessibility, but as great as anything from across the Mayacamas.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Shows the wonderfully soft, ripe, dusty tannins of Alexander Valley, as well as pure, ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis and smoky oak flavors that are frankly delicious. The finish, however, is overly sweet, which likely will limit ageability.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The Youngs produce a stunning Cabernet from their vineyard on the eastern benchlands of the valley. This Cab is the polar opposite of Napa, and defines the alternative possibilities. Soft, intricate and herbal-earthy, it has beautiful black cherry, cocoa, tobacco and new oak flavors, and it’s thoroughly dry. Drink now through 2015.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This wine is finding its style, namely, ripe in tropical fruit, peach, pear and apple flavors, soft acids, lavish oak, plenty of lees and a full malolactic fermentation that helps make the texture buttery and creamy smooth. This year’s fine effort is not as big as the magnificent ’99, but is opulent and delicious.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
After a trio of stunning successes, this year’s Scion, well made as it is, just can’t outrun the vintage.The berry-cherry flavors are less forceful than in the ‘99, with a touch of dill. Still, it’s a soothing wine, with soft, gentle tannins and powerful oak.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Another beautiful Chardonnay from Robert Young, although it’s a step off the pace of recent years. Soft and intricately layered, it has tropical fruit pastry filling flavors accented with lots of toasty new French oak, which seems too strong for the underlying fruit.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
