Robert Young Estate Winery Serenity Vineyard     
Our 130 acres of Chardonnay are clones #17 and #26, developed by Robert Young and UC Davis with cuttings from Burgundy. Over decades the vines have adapted to the unique soil and climate of the property. The fruit from Robert Young clone #17 is regarded by many to be the very best domestic Chardonnay. 
 
2002 Alexander Valley Scion
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TECHNICAL DATA:
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Release Date: March 2006
Variety: 77% cabernet sauvignon, 11% cabernet franc, 12% merlot
Bottled: January 28, 2005
Cooperage: Aged in French oak barrels(25% new) for 25 months
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: 1,890 cases

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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."

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Robert Young Estate Winery phone: 707 431-4811 fax: 707 431-4812 email: info@ryew.com