2003 ALEXANDER VALLEY
SCION
Recent reviews show that
several of the top rated red wines from around the world
came from the Northern California 2002 vintage. It was a
superior season in Napa and Sonoma Counties…in Alexander
Valley and on the Robert Young ranch and vineyards,
where grapes had time to ripen and enough sunlight and
warmth reach full-flavored maturity.
Notes from Robert Young Vineyard in 2002
“We had a cooler than normal summer. However, a
prolonged heat spell with temperatures over 100 degrees
Fahrenheit at times and low humidity rushed in the
harvest starting with Chardonnay on September 7 and
ending with Cabernet Sauvignon on October 8th (just one
month when it normally takes over six weeks). There was
some dehydration that required extra sorting in the
vineyard, but it overall increased the concentration of
flavors in the fruit.”
| —Jim Young,
Vineyard Manager |
Winemaker Tasting Notes
“The Robert Young Estate Winery 2002 Scion has aromas
and flavors of concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon fruit,
the backbone variety of our red grape vineyards and
Alexander Valley in general. Blackberry pie, plum jam
and cherries are abundantly evident in this fruity yet
complex wine. I also find hints of chocolate, mocha, and
spice in the wine. Overall, this wine, the first Scion
that was produced by me totally at our new winery on the
Robert Young ranch, is a blockbuster, a mouthful of ripe
fruit, long on the finish with toasty oak and just
enough acidity. You can enjoy this Scion now or age it
for ten years.”
| —Kevin Warren, winemaker
Winemaker |
REVIEWS & AWARDS FOR ALEXANDER VALLEY SCION
2003 Alexander Valley Scion
Gary Vaynerchuk, Director of Operations, Wine Library
TV.
93 points Wine Library TV--- August 22, 2007
Clear-cut attack of oak, blackberry, and black
cassis on the nose: enormous amounts of vanilla and
creme brulée. Big nose, big complexity, beautiful,
glorious cranberry, strawberry, black currant, extremely
rich clean flavor profile...
Impress your boss time: this is a wine that I highly
recommend you seek out and pop open with him right
before you ask for a raise. A complete killer. A serious
wine... 5-10 years of cellaring easily.
http://tv.winelibrary.com/2007/08/22/oak-monster-time-episode-298
2002 Alexander Valley Scion
95 points, Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast, September
2006
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.
2001 Alexander Valley Scion
91 points Wine Spectator April 2005
This exhibits a rich, concentrated core of Cabernet
fruit, built around dense sour cherry, blackberry and
wild berry. Tightly wound and closed, it finishes with a
complex aftertaste, with a dash of mocha, and a firm
band of tannins that give it excellent structure.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from
2006 through 2012.—J.L.
2000 Alexander Valley Scion
89 points Wine&Spirits October, 2004
The fruit itself is bold and succulent, while an
Alexander Valley leafiness emphasizes mint and menthol
in the aromatics. Tame the green edges with roasted leg
of lamb.
1999 Alexander Valley Scion
Wine Enthusiast Magazine; Top 100 Wines 2003
96 points, Editors' Choice: Robert Young 1999 Scion
(Alexander Valley)
"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."
J. L. Wine Spectator - September 2003
88 Points, Smooth, rich and complex, with a medley of
herb, currant, anise and mocha flavors. Plush-textured
with ripe, round tannins, it's drinking well already but
should hold for several years. Drink now through 2009.
1998 Alexander Valley Scion
Wine Enthusiast; November 15, 2002
94 points, Editors' Choice: Robert Young 1998 Scion
(Alexander Valley) "The much-anticipated second vintage
of this wine struggled with a poor vintage. Ironically,
the inability to superripen the grapes resulted in a
Bordeaux-like wine, rather like a good St.-Emilion,
although it's 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sweet cassis is
offset with sage and tobacco in this early maturing wine
of great distinction and charm."
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, August 2002
Two Stars, 91, Robert Young Scion Alexander Valley 1998
Bold and blustery with layer upon layer of rich oak
overlying its plentiful fruit, this expressive wine
suggests ripe cherries, a bit of currant, cocoa and
cappuccino throughout its considerable length. The wine
is full and fleshy in the mouth with more than a few
rough edges yet to lose, but if its heat and tannins
make it rather rustic in style, they never mask or in
any way disguise the very deep fruit that remains the
driving force of this rich and thoroughly involving
youngster.
WOW Report, May 20, 2002
Robert Whitley - 93 points
1998 Robert Young Scion,
Alexander Valley "A rare exceptional 1998 Red. This 100
percent Cabernet Sauvigion is silky in the mouth,
elegant and shows outstanding persistence of flavor."
San Francisco Chronicle - October 2001
The 1997 Scion, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and Cabernet Franc, shows bright berry aromas, with oaky
backnotes - concentrated, balanced, smooth flavors that
linger through the finish
1997 Alexander Valley Scion
Wine Spectator; Aug 24, 2001,
James Laube
90 points - Robert Young Scion Alexander
Valley 1997; $50;
"...The debut Scion is a blend of 58 percent Cabernet
Sauvignon, 30 percent Merlot and 12 percent Cabernet
Franc. Consulting winemaker Richard Arrowood made this
immense and deeply concentrated wine, with rich mineral,
currant, coffee, anise and cedar flavors."
San Francisco Chronicle; October 3, 2001,
Gerald Boyd
"The 1997 Scion, a blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, shows bright berry
aromas, with oaky backnotes -- concentrated, balanced,
smooth flavors that linger through the finish."
Robert Young Estate Winery phone: 707 431-4811 fax: 707 431-4812 email:
info@ryew.com |