Robert Young, Barrel Select Chardonnay, Alexander Valley

My last bottle of the eight that I purchased back in 2018. Last of the Mohicans Chardonnay from RYEW with the old logo on it. Powerful wine. I think it is really optimal for drinking right about now. Knows of honeysuckle, brown butter, over rape peach and mango. Entry is full bodied. Dense. Thick. Viscous. Honey butter, peach preserves are primarily on the palate with some basil and thyme. The oaked influence is massive, adding to the insane opulent quality …

This Chardonnay was rocking 1-2 years ago but it is still a delight today. This. Wine. Needs. Food. **DO NOT** open this alone. Tonight it was served with marinated chicken, grilled teriyaki Brussels sprouts, oven roasted herbed carrots, and cilantro pork sausage and was a direct hit. Pours a dark straw color. Nose of butter, cotton candy, tangy yellow fruit. Opens with a really soft and full bodied, very rounded mouthfeel. Buttery notes are present right at front that were …

A nice wine, but not my style. The malolactic fermentation has driven the butter forward. The wine is well made, nice long finish, overall balanced but you have to like that american style.

Although this one does tend to go more towards the oxidative and malolactic side of things, this one still has quite a bit of sharp acidity on the front...AND finish for that matter! I'd say this one is partially malolactic...gives you the oak and butter but then also gives you the more acidic and somewhat tropical side of things as well. A very complex and intricate Chardonnay and I can understand why this was selected as the Barrel Select Chardonnay …

Still takes an hour to find its stride. Starts with a fair amount of buttered popcorn but then gains a caramelized peach and pear. Lots of herb in the middle. Tame acidity throughout. For a Chardonnay, this has impressive structure considering the really good price point. This producer always impresses me. This Chardonnay will hold another 10 years.

Well made, but not my style. This is really oaky buttery. Long finish and well balanced. If you like Rombauer, you'll love this.

The last time I had one of these, I know it wasn't my first or second bottle. So, didn't rate. This time, it is my first (and only). RYEW doesn't let anyone down when it comes to their chards. Even the "entry level" chard doesn't disappoint. This wine is packed full of peach, mango, melon, sharp minerality in the middle to the finish, acidity on the finish with some stone ground notes. Starts rather rounded and finishes with a little …

Great ample and softer texture. Nose of butter and mango. Entry is soft, rounded, mango and melon. A little bit of butter in the middle with some herbal texture. Finishes with a touch of oak, butter, and melon. Very enjoyable. Very enjoyable even in 100 degree weather.