Video
Series:
What Organic Means in the World of Wine
Yorkville
Cellars, in Mendocino County, was one of the pioneers
of Eco-friendly farming in the wine industry. Their vineyards
have been certified by the California Certified Organic Famers
(CCOF) since 1986, and they've been making great wine from the
beginning. Of course, with all the different terms and certifications,
it can be difficult for consumers (and even for people that
work in the industry) to understand just what is happening in
the vineyards and on wine labels. So, to clarify some of the
confusion and to help people make more informed purchasing decisions,
we talked to Yorkville Cellars' owner, Edward
Wallo.
Organic
wine vs. Wine from Organically Grown Grapes
Farming:
Sustainablity vs. Organic
Issue
of Certification
Organic
Farming: The Benefit to the Planet
Supporting
Eco-friendly Wineries When you Buy Wine
Check
out our reviews of Yorkville's white blend-Eleanor
of Aquitaine, their red blend-Richard
the Loin-Heart, their unusual Sweet
Malbec, their Rosé de Franc,
their Sauvignon Blanc, and their
very special Late Harvest Semillon.
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Yorkville
Cellars 2009 Eleanor of Aquitaine
Grape(s):
Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Eleanor of Aquitaine
Price: 20-25
Review:
Lovely aromas of critus fruits and honey combine on the
nose. A sip unfurls flavors of lemon, sweet lime, and
grapefruit with suggestions of minerals and honey. Lush
fruit is in harmony with the wine's dry, balanced acidity.
Barrel aging gives it a nice, round body. This is a rich
wine white that will compliment crab or shellfish very
nicely.
Rating: 91
Character: lush fruit,
balanced acidity, supple mouthfeel
Farming Certification: CCOF Organic |
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Yorkville
Cellars 2008 Richard the Loin-Heart
Grape(s):
Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,
Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2008
Special Designation: Richard the Loin-Heart
Price: 30-35
Review:
The nose has excellent depth as blackberries, currants,
and black cherries are complicated by suggestions of earth,
floral notes, dark-chocolate, and a hint of oak. Rich
dark fruit flavors dominate the palate, rounded out by
a bit of earth, oak, cocoa, and floral suggestions. Complex,
fairly dry and bright, it's a wonderful wine for food.
Roast chicken, lamb, or a juicy hamburger would all pair
nicely.
Rating: 92
Character: dark fruit,
balanced tannins, supple mouthfeel
Farming Certification: CCOF Organic |
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Yorkville
Cellars 2010 Sweet Malbec
Grape(s):
Malbec
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: Sweet Malbec
Price: 20-25
Review:
A rich nose offers aromas of cherries, raspberries, boysenberries,
sweet spice, herbs, and a few floral notes. On the palate,
raspberries, boysenberries, and cranberry jam combine
nicely with brighter floral suggestions. A round, lush,
rather sweet wine but it's but not one dimensional. If
you like sweetness with some depth, this is a wine to
try. Cheesecake sounds like the perfect pairing.
Rating: 90
Character: lush fruit,
light acidity, supple mouthfeel
Farming Certification: CCOF Organic |
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Yorkville
Cellars 2010 Rosé de Franc
Grape(s):
Cabernet Franc
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: Rosé de Franc
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of red berries, rose petals, and an allusion of
sweetness greet you on the nose. A sip offers lush strawberry,cherry,
and watermelon flavors accented by some lovely floral
hints. A lush wine that still has a nice, fresh acidity,
it's not sweet, and it's not overly dry like so many Rosés.
A great picnic wine, especially with turkey sandwiches.
Rating: 88
Character: lush fruit,
fresh acidity, supple mouthfeel
Farming Certification: CCOF Organic |
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Yorkville
Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s):
Sauvignon Blanc
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Notes of grapefruit, fresh cut grass, and a bit of lemon
zest can be discovered on the nose. Lively citrus flavors
combine with a few grassy suggestions, and a hint of white
pepper on the palate. A bright, crisp, dry wine but it's
not too sharp, as there is plenty of fruit, too. A great
choice for fans of fresh, slightly grassy Sauvignon Blancs.
Rating: 88
Character:lbright mouthfeel,
crisp acidity, citrus fruit
Farming Certification: CCOF Organic |
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Yorkville
Cellars 2009 Late Harvest Semillon
Grape(s):
Semillon
Winery: Yorkville Cellars
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Late Harvest
Price: 35-40
Review:
A rich, complex nose greets the senses with aromas of
pineapple rind, dried pear, dried apricot, nutty suggestions,
honey, and a hint of orange blossoms. The palate delivers
layers of flavors, opening with notes of pear, ripe pineapple,
and dried apricot before moving into nuances of honey,
floral suggestions, and a hint of almond at the finish.
A lush, sophisticated, round wine that's not overly sweet,
it's very well-balanced and very tasty. Production was
quite limited, so get some while you still can.
Rating: 93
Character: lush fruit,
round mouthfeel, mild acidity
Farming Certification: CCOF Organic |
For more Yorkville
Cellars Label Reviews (click
here)
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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www.yorkvillecellars.com
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