2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
91 Points, Gold Medal, 2022 North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
Our Malbec is a big, deep, dense, and structured wine with dominant aromas of black currant and plum with a touch of spicy cigar box. Its extra-long finish will make you fall in love and beg for more.
Because of our Malbec’s versatility, food pairings don’t have to be solely meat-based. Its black currant and plum fruit notes make it ideal to pair with more savory dark-meat poultry and pork. Our Malbec’s flavor complexity and hint of spice allow for an equally complex blend of food pairing options. These can range from pork loin, St. Louis pork ribs, lean brisket, duck, roast beef, and wild game. When it comes to pairing cheese with our Malbec, go sharp, and don’t be afraid of strong cheeses. Some of our favorites are hard-matured cheddars and semi-firm goat milk cheese and we suggest serving them alongside black cherries, blueberries, and blackberries. One of our favorite pairings: Black-pepper skillet steak
Nose: Notes of black currant and plum with a touch of spicy cigar box.
Specs
Varietal: Malbec
Appellation: Alexander Valley, Robert Young Vineyards
Alcohol: 15.5%
2018 Kelley & Young Zinfandel, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Silver Medal, 2022 North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
Full and rich with flavors of dark cherry and blackberries. It has an extra-long finish of bittersweet chocolate and just a bit of spice on the finish.
It is perfectly paired with roast beef, pork, lamb, or duck, as well as with aged cheeses, dried fruits, and nuts. Drink at room temperature with your favorite cut of beef (rib-eye or filet mignon), grilled beef kebabs, hamburger, BBQ baby back ribs, rack of lamb, or your favorite pasta or pizza. Our zinfandel is greatly enjoyed with strong and rich cheeses like blue, feta, stilton, aged gruyere, gorgonzola, and Havarti. One of our favorite pairings: Braised short ribs
Nose: Notes of dark cherry, blackberries, and bitter-sweet chocolate.
Specs
Varietal: 96% Zinfandel, 4% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Alexander Valley, Robert Young Vineyards
Aging: 100% Neutral French Oak (40% new) for 20 months
Alcohol: 15.8%
Production: 290 Cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x 2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
2x 2018 Kelley & Young Zinfandel, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Case:
6x 2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
6x 2018 Kelley & Young Zinfandel, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Started in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Jim Young and Kathleen Kelley Young, Kelley & Young Wines is a boutique winery located in the Alexander Valley region of Northern California’s Sonoma County wine country. Kelley & Young’s mission has always been to share Jim and Kathleen’s passion for good food and exceptional wine—but, in January 2021, Kathleen passed away at the age of 63 after a 4-plus-year battle with cancer. To honor their mother, Kathleen’s daughters, Madeline and Courtney, are continuing her legacy by helping Jim bring Kelley & Young wines to the world while helping raise money for cancer research through a partnership with the American Cancer Society.
We source the majority of our grapes from the family’s certified sustainable Robert Young Vineyards, which comprises 287 acres of vineyards in Alexander Valley in northern Sonoma County and has been farmed by the Young family since 1858. Jim is the Vineyard Manager and CEO for Robert Young and he selects only the perfect places in the vineyard from which to source Kelley & Young grapes. He’s also able to grow those grapes just the way he likes so that the wines truly represent the terroir of the property.
The 450-acre property, which includes the vineyards, is nestled up against the Mayacama Mountain range to the north and east, with an expansive view of Alexander Valley and the coastal hills to the west and south. Robert Young Vineyards grows 12 varietals: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Melon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, and Zinfandel. About 95 percent of the grapes grown at Robert Young Vineyards are sold to large wineries (including Chateau St. Jean, Duckhorn, and Simi). The rest is processed by the family winery, while just 1.5 percent are purchased by Kelley & Young. Because we enjoy and respect the wonderful wines made at the Robert Young Estate Winery—primarily Chardonnay and Scion, a Bordeaux blend—Kelley & Young does not make those wines; instead, we focus on the other varietals grown at Robert Young Vineyards.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Kelley & Young 2018 Alexander Valley Zinfandel
Upon pouring, the Kelley & Young 2018 Alexander Valley Zinfandel reveals a pleasant deep ruby hue. The nose offers an inviting aroma of dark cherry and blackberry, with subtle hints of bittersweet chocolate and a touch of vanilla.
The first sip presents a medium-bodied profile with straightforward fruit flavors. Dark cherry and blackberry are noticeable, with a mild hint of allspice and chocolate-covered strawberries making this a bit more interesting. As the wine breathes, notes of anise and a touch of the bittersweet chocolate found on the nose make a modest appearance, contributing to its overall pleasantness.
The mouthfeel is smooth, and the tannins are well-integrated, providing a balanced structure without overwhelming the palate. This Zinfandel offers a nice harmony between fruit and spice, making it an enjoyable daily drinker. The finish is warm and lingering, leaving behind a subtle hint of Christmas spices.
I think this wine would pair well with a variety of foods. We enjoyed this zin with steak au poivre and roasted vegetables, which was a delightful complement to the meal. The wine’s acidity and flavors worked well with the richness of the pepper, cognac, and cream sauce and the savory notes of the tenderloin.
In summary, the Kelley & Young 2018 Alexander Valley Zinfandel is a reliable and enjoyable wine. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own or paired with a meal, making it a great choice for a casual daily drinker. Depending on the price, this is a bottle I would want to have on hand for any occasion including the upcoming BBQ season.
As always, thank you Alice and @WineDavid for the opportunity to rat!
And, with that price, this will be hard to pass up! Looking forward to the review of the Malbec!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Kelley & Young Wines Mixed Reds - $50 = 25.63%
We’re part of the lucky lab rats this time, receiving a bottle of the 2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
It’s a classy looking bottle and the cork was in great shape, sounding the strongest pop I’ve heard on opening a bottle in a while. I poured a glass for myself and set it on the coffee table to breathe for a bit. The bouquet wafting over convinced my co-taster to ask for a glass; I ran hers through an aerator since she was ready to dig in. In fact after comparing I gave my glass some vicious swirling to move things along.
We both got aromas of dark fruit, black cherry, and black pepper. I also picked up some alcohol heat which made sense given the strong legs on this one.
The flavors matched the nose, adding in some black currant to the mix. We both also got some lovely acidity; the wine definitely woke up my salivary glands. I’d say the tannins are on the medium to low side, I didn’t pick up much astringency.
Mouthfeel was a really nice smooth velvet. The flavors hang around for a while. I was able to take plenty of time between sips to notice the flavors slowly fading off my palate, but not in a cloying or “get outta here” kinda way.
We don’t have Malbec often so it was nice to have one that was so enjoyable and a little on the elegant side. This is a really nice bottle.
Anyone in the Bay Area (East Bay preferably, Oakland-Berkeley-Emeryville) interested in splitting a full case? Would love to reach economy of scale pricing but don’t have space on the rack for 12 bottles
Based on the reviews, this sounds like a good wine and a good deal at the price point. Why is there not more comments? I do not know anything about Kelly and Young wines, so please give any input.
Kelley & Young is a small family run winery running since 2006- Jim Young of the Robert Young family in Geyserville and his late wife, Kathleen Kelley Young. Jim works hand in hand with the family estate during the season and uses advance trellis techniques to coax maximum flavor from the fruit and allows him to select the best crop for production. We source all our grapes, with the exception of our Pinot Noir (too hot in AV for what we like) from the Robert Young Estate and make less than 1500 cases per year and have a tasting room in Cloverdale. We are incredibly small (four staff, Jim included) with input and help from Kathleens daughters, especially for events. We take great pride in every step of our wine, including blending and finishing our wines. Personally, the 2018 Malbec is my favorite and I’m sad to see so much of it go, but i hope its into the homes of people who will enjoy it as much as I do. It has an incredible flavor profile and almost sort of “herbs de Provence”/velvety sage on the finish. The 2018 zin is incredibly balanced and a beautiful harmony of jammy and peppery spice, not overly heavy on either like a lot of zins for alexander valley. -erika k&y manager
Glad to see you joined in the discussion, albeit after the sale had ended.
Participation during the offer is generally well received and kicks up the action.
Hope to see you back.
I’ve enjoyed Robert Young wines in the past- specifically their Malbec. Granted this is a different label, but for this price point I’ll give it a try.
2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
91 Points, Gold Medal, 2022 North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Kelley & Young Zinfandel, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma
Silver Medal, 2022 North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$678.00/Case for 6x 2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County + 6x 2018 Kelley & Young Zinfandel, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma at Kelley & Young Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, Jul 5 - Monday, Jul 8
Kelley & Young Wines Mixed Reds
4 bottles for $64.99 $16.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $144.99 $12.08/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Kelley & Young Malbec
2018 Kelley & Young Zinfandel
Kelley & Young 2018 Alexander Valley Zinfandel
Upon pouring, the Kelley & Young 2018 Alexander Valley Zinfandel reveals a pleasant deep ruby hue. The nose offers an inviting aroma of dark cherry and blackberry, with subtle hints of bittersweet chocolate and a touch of vanilla.
The first sip presents a medium-bodied profile with straightforward fruit flavors. Dark cherry and blackberry are noticeable, with a mild hint of allspice and chocolate-covered strawberries making this a bit more interesting. As the wine breathes, notes of anise and a touch of the bittersweet chocolate found on the nose make a modest appearance, contributing to its overall pleasantness.
The mouthfeel is smooth, and the tannins are well-integrated, providing a balanced structure without overwhelming the palate. This Zinfandel offers a nice harmony between fruit and spice, making it an enjoyable daily drinker. The finish is warm and lingering, leaving behind a subtle hint of Christmas spices.
I think this wine would pair well with a variety of foods. We enjoyed this zin with steak au poivre and roasted vegetables, which was a delightful complement to the meal. The wine’s acidity and flavors worked well with the richness of the pepper, cognac, and cream sauce and the savory notes of the tenderloin.
In summary, the Kelley & Young 2018 Alexander Valley Zinfandel is a reliable and enjoyable wine. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own or paired with a meal, making it a great choice for a casual daily drinker. Depending on the price, this is a bottle I would want to have on hand for any occasion including the upcoming BBQ season.
As always, thank you Alice and @WineDavid for the opportunity to rat!
And, with that price, this will be hard to pass up! Looking forward to the review of the Malbec!
When does Summer Shipping begin?
@louas it has
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Kelley & Young Wines Mixed Reds - $50 = 25.63%
We’re part of the lucky lab rats this time, receiving a bottle of the
2018 Kelley & Young Malbec, Robert Young Vineyards, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
It’s a classy looking bottle and the cork was in great shape, sounding the strongest pop I’ve heard on opening a bottle in a while. I poured a glass for myself and set it on the coffee table to breathe for a bit. The bouquet wafting over convinced my co-taster to ask for a glass; I ran hers through an aerator since she was ready to dig in. In fact after comparing I gave my glass some vicious swirling to move things along.
We both got aromas of dark fruit, black cherry, and black pepper. I also picked up some alcohol heat which made sense given the strong legs on this one.
The flavors matched the nose, adding in some black currant to the mix. We both also got some lovely acidity; the wine definitely woke up my salivary glands. I’d say the tannins are on the medium to low side, I didn’t pick up much astringency.
Mouthfeel was a really nice smooth velvet. The flavors hang around for a while. I was able to take plenty of time between sips to notice the flavors slowly fading off my palate, but not in a cloying or “get outta here” kinda way.
We don’t have Malbec often so it was nice to have one that was so enjoyable and a little on the elegant side. This is a really nice bottle.
@ludwigmace We had enough for a glass and a half tonight. Bigger, richer, and with a little bit more heat going down. In for the 4.
Anyone in the Bay Area (East Bay preferably, Oakland-Berkeley-Emeryville) interested in splitting a full case? Would love to reach economy of scale pricing but don’t have space on the rack for 12 bottles
CAMBRIDGE/BOSTON SPLIT ?
GO CELTICS !
Based on the reviews, this sounds like a good wine and a good deal at the price point. Why is there not more comments? I do not know anything about Kelly and Young wines, so please give any input.
@free2day33611 You might glean some information from the offering of the 2015 vintages of these wines on 2/24/2024.
@free2day33611
Kelley & Young is a small family run winery running since 2006- Jim Young of the Robert Young family in Geyserville and his late wife, Kathleen Kelley Young. Jim works hand in hand with the family estate during the season and uses advance trellis techniques to coax maximum flavor from the fruit and allows him to select the best crop for production. We source all our grapes, with the exception of our Pinot Noir (too hot in AV for what we like) from the Robert Young Estate and make less than 1500 cases per year and have a tasting room in Cloverdale. We are incredibly small (four staff, Jim included) with input and help from Kathleens daughters, especially for events. We take great pride in every step of our wine, including blending and finishing our wines. Personally, the 2018 Malbec is my favorite and I’m sad to see so much of it go, but i hope its into the homes of people who will enjoy it as much as I do. It has an incredible flavor profile and almost sort of “herbs de Provence”/velvety sage on the finish. The 2018 zin is incredibly balanced and a beautiful harmony of jammy and peppery spice, not overly heavy on either like a lot of zins for alexander valley.
-erika k&y manager
@ErikaSS
Glad to see you joined in the discussion, albeit after the sale had ended.
Participation during the offer is generally well received and kicks up the action.
Hope to see you back.
this is what i get for taking a day off
- i miss all the action! Ill be there next time.
I’ve enjoyed Robert Young wines in the past- specifically their Malbec. Granted this is a different label, but for this price point I’ll give it a try.