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Appellation: Alexander Valley
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Harvest Dates: September 17 - 26, 2003
Brix at Harvest: 24.4 (average)
Cooperage: Fermented and aged in 100% French oak 40% new
Fermentation: 100% barrel and malolactic
Production: 1,380 cases
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2003 ALEXANDER VALLEY
CHARDONNAY
Estate Grown
The 2003 Robert Young
Estate Winery Chardonnay is rich and complex. It is
loaded with tropical fruit aromas of guava, melon,
pineapple and a hint of crisp lemon. The wine has a
powerful taste, with flavors of pear, apple, nectarine,
honey and spice supported by a good structure of
acidity. Toasty oak and creamy layers of fruit provide a
lingering finishand a heat spell the first week of the
month pushed overall harvest forward.
Robert Young Estate Winery
Chardonnay is made predominately form the Robert Young clone # 17, a vine of
French Burgundy descent that was developed at the Young family vineyards in
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California. Robert Young clone # 17 is
reputed to produce some of the most distinctive Chardonnay fruit in the
world. The grapes for the 2003 Robert Young Estate Winery Chardonnay were
hand-picked into small bins just after daybreak, which was crucial to the
success of the wine due to the extreme hot spell that gripped the California
North Coast wine region during the harvest in late September that year. The
wine went through primary and full malolactic fermentation in French oak
barrels (40% new) and was aged sur lies (on its sediments) for 10
months. After the initial ageing stage, the wine was "racked" off its
sediments and returned to the barrel in the winery's caves for another five
months.
REVIEWS & AWARDS FOR
ALEXANDER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
2004 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
Wine Spectator, April 30, 2005, Rating: 92
points.
“92, Robert Young Chardonnay Alexander Valley 2004 $37.
Ripe, with sweet fig, tangerine and melon flavors that
are elegant and creamy. Neatly tapered, long and smooth
on the finish, ending with a dash of hazelnut.
Delicious. Drink now through 2010. 2,704 cases made.”
–JL. Wine Spectator Magazine, April 30th, 2007
2003 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
93 points, 2 “puffs,” Connoisseurs’ Guide,
October 2005
Leading with rich aromas of sweet cream, vanilla and
optimally ripened apples, this impressively filled
offering fans out on the palate with luscious flavors
that build on the richness and very deep fruit of the
nose. Although it is moderately full-bodied and
wonderfully smooth in texture, it is also quite lively
and keenly balanced throughout its considerable length.
2002 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
Wine Spectator, April 30, 2005, Rating: 92
points.
‘Rich and creamy, with tiers of buttery pear, hazelnut,
marshmallow, anise and smoke, it shows off the ripeness
of the fruit and pretty oak.
Drink now through 2008. 1,240 cases made.’ James Laube”
2002 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
Wine Advocate #157, February 2005.
Robert Young Estate Winery 2002 Chardonnay, Rating: 92
points.
“A beautiful nose of white currants, peaches, and pears
is followed by a medium to full-bodied Chardonnay
revealing loads of flavor, a beautiful texture, and a
honeyed complexity.” –Robert Parker
2001 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
Wine Spectator ~ October 2003
93 Points A delicious Chardonnay the mixes ripe,
vibrant, creamy pear, fig, honeysuckle and nectarine
flavors with a light dash of toasty oak that adds a
touch of hazelnut.
2000 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
Wine Enthusiast ~ Best of 2001
Editors Choice & Best White Wine Of The Year
96 Points The long anticipated wine from longtime
grower-turned vintner swings for the fences. Begins with
fascinating, complex aromas - highlighted by lees,
pineapple, cinnamon, smoke and white chocolate - and
dazzles with its sheer opulence. Everything come
together in pinpointing harmony, right down to the
mind-bogglingly beautiful finish.
Wine Country This Week - November 2002
94 Points A marvelous balanced wine with ripe apple and
pear fruit on the opening, leading to a creamy center
and a long refreshing finish. One of the best California
Chardonnays I've tasted on a while - Larry Walker
Wine Spectator ~ June 2002
89 Points A bold, rich and complex wine, with tiers of
ripe pear, spice, fig and a touch of bubble gum flavor.
Light oak adds a subtle flavor dimension of complexity -
J.L.
Sante Magazine ~ June 2003
Medium bodied and clean with vibrant fruit, ripe peach
unsalted butter, orange creme brulee, sandlewood, and
notes of roasted coffee bean; long tart finish
1999 Alexander Valley
Chardonnay
Wine Spectator ~ March 2001
92 Points Ultraripe, rich and creamy, with exotic
tropical fruit flavors of fig, guava, pineapple and pear
accented by smoky, toasted oak flavors that linger, -
J.L.
Robert Young Estate Winery phone: 707
431-4811 fax: 707 431-4812 email:
info@ryew.com |
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