Yorkville Cellars 2007 Semillon / Mendocino County
The basic goal of organic farming is to create healthy, living soils. This is achieved in two ways. First is the use of only natural fertilizers, compounds that contain a wide range of the nutrients needed by plants and avoiding the concentrated fertilizers that are heavy on the three main plant foods; nitrogen, potassium and phosphate. (A good analogy is a person eating only sugar, steak and olive oil. They would certainly get all the energy and protein they require, but would lack the vitamins and minerals to keep them truly healthy, and would eventually fall ill; scurvy, rickets and goiter are all conditions that result from lack of a specific vitamin.)_The second main part of organic farming is avoiding harmful chemicals. Many of the compounds used to control pest insects also kill beneficial insects; those that might eat the 'bad' bugs or even bees that pollinate crops. The loss of beneficial bugs can throw off the balance in the field, causing even greater infestations, requiring the use of stronger pesticides, or more frequent applications. The average sprayed vineyard in California will be sprayed over 15 times each year!

Semillon is an underutilized and underappreciated grape in California. This offering from Yorkville Cellars is dry, very clean, and quite sophisticated. Aromas of apricot, pineapple, and vanilla rise from a freshly swirled glass. On the palate, pineapple and apricot return, with complicating notes of honey and citrus highlights rounding out the flavors. A lush white wine that's balanced nicely by a fresh acidity.
FBWorld Panel Score: 92
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Eleanor of Aquitaine /
Mendocino County
The climate is influenced by marine air well over half the time. Heat summation data collected within the area reflects an average of 3,060 degrees, compared to approximately 2,500 in Boonville and Philo to the northwest and 3,650 in Cloverdale. Average annual rainfall within the area is 50.6 inches compared to Anderson Valley, which receives an average of 40.7 inches.

A blend of the best barrels of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, it's named after the 12th century Queen of England. The nose is layered with lime, grapefruit, pineapple, and toasted coconut. Similar flavors predominate on the palate of this rich, provocative wine. Open a bottle with your favorite shellfish and enjoy.
FBWorld Panel Score: 91
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Yorkville Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc / Mendocino County
Organic farming practices in a small-scale vineyard are about 120 percent of the costs of a conventionally farmed vineyard. However, in spite of the costs, their organic farming practices will continue as they believe that organic farming ensures the highest possible quality fruit. They have been fortunate to find a "natural" (and generally cooperate) ally in nature. Summer breezes ensure low humidity, reducing the chances of fungus. Cool nights help reduce the bug population. Resident raptors keep the rodents under control. Ladybugs and lacewings help to fend off unfriendly pests.

A somewhat atypical Sauvignon Blanc, it's fashioned in a sweeter but very approachable style. The nose has captivating aromas of pineapple, bell pepper, and bright citrus notes. Sweet pineapple, mango, lime, and honey flavors come to life on the palate. Perfect as an aperitif, or try a bottle with a shrimp cocktail.
FBWorld Panel Score: 91
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Yorkville Cellars 2006 Richard the Lion-Heart/
Mendocino County
Richard the Lion-Heart is carefully blended, using the very best barrels of Yorkville's certified organic estate grown grapes. The 2006 vintage includes six varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. This is very likely the only estate grown, California wine blended made with all six of the traditional noble red grape varietals originally from the Bordeaux area of western France.

A very unique blend of all six of the original noble red grapes of the Bordeaux area, like its name, it is fit for a king. The nose draws you in with layers of rich, ripe aromas including raspberry, blackberry, plum, blueberry, notes of oak, a touch of mocha, and a smoky highlight. The palate conveys a stirring blend of ripe dark fruit, with hints of chocolate, oak, and herbs. Incredibly smooth and elegant, this is truly a wine to savor.
FBWorld Panel Score: 94
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon /
Mendocino County
Since the planting of their vineyard in 1982, there has been a commitment to following organic farming practices. CCOF (California Certified Organic Farm) certification ensures that no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or synthetic fertilizers are ever used on the property. In addition, they believe their farming practices will ensure a healthy soil that will be sustainable for agriculture in the future. They respect the delicate land and the balance of nature. Healthy soil and robust plants yield vibrant, complex grapes, the basis of great wine.

There are people that believe it takes Napa Valley heat to make a good Cabernet. If you are one of them, try Yorkville's and judge for yourself. The nose wraps up your senses in raspberry, cherry, plum, and semi-sweet chocolate aromas. When sipped, the cherry, plum, and dark chocolate all return. Easy to drink now but with enough tannins to age for a few years, at under $30 a bottle, it's a much better value than most Napa Cabs.
FBWorld Panel Score: 91
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Carmenere / Mendocino County
Yorkville Cellars has two main vineyards on our ranch in Yorkville, California. Both are certified organic. The vineyard behind the tasting room is called Randle Hill Vineyard and is planted to Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. A total of 13 acres, it mainly dates back to 1982 and was expanded in 1989. The vineyard along Highway 128 in front of the tasting room is called Rennie Vineyard and was planted in 1990.

Nearly forgotten, the grape has made a resurgence, particularly in Chile. In the states, however, there are very few acres planted. Yorkville is one of the rare places. Their Carmenere has a delightful nose of sweet blueberry, boysenberry, a hint of smoke, and springtime floral highlights. The palate is driven by ripe blueberry and blackberry, with a few hints of herbs rounding the flavors out. Smooth, but with a fresh bit of acidity, it's an admirable, bright wine.
FBWorld Panel Score: 90
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Petit Verdot/ Mendocino County
The soils in the Yorkville Highlands viticultural area are rocky hill soils characterized by gravel and old brittle rock. These generally thin soils found on the high benches and land troughs are in stark contrast to the generally very loamy clay soils found in the valleys and bottom lands dominating the neighboring approved viticultural areas. Soil types mapped by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service include: Bearwallow, Hellman, Cole Loam, Henneke, Montara, Hopland Loam, Squawrock, Witherell, Yorkville and Boontling. Only one of two of these soil types is found in common with a neighboring viticultural area.

Often used only as a blending grape, Yorkville Cellars took on the challenge of bottling this robust grape on its own, and they did a rather good job. The nose is brimming with rich, dark fruit aromas that mingle with gamy and woodsy notes. Blackberry, cherry, and plum unwind into hints of game and spice that bring the wine to a finish. A bold wine, it requires hearty, flavorful meats or spicy dishes to tame it.
FBWorld Panel Score: 90
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc / Mendocino County
The Yorkville Highlands viticultural area lies generally along the headwaters of Dry Creek and Rancheria Creek. The vineyards in the Yorkville Highlands area are almost entirely above 800 feet in elevation. The area is a continuous string of high benches and land troughs bordered by even higher ridges with Highway 128 running the middle.

Often overlooked, Cabernet Franc deserves more attention than it gets. Yorkville's take on the varietal has an alluring nose of black cherry, plum, coffee, and floral notes. Flavors of musty strawberry and black cherry fuse with hints of earth and spicy peppers. Graceful and smooth, it's a very food friendly wine. Enjoy a bottle with turkey burgers or pork chops, and become a fan.
FBWorld Panel Score: 92
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 High-Rollr Red / Mendocino County
A Hi-Rollr is Boontling for folks who live in the hills surrounding Yorkville at the southern end of the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. Boontling was a local language used by the nearly 5,000 residents in the area surrounding Boonville, California between 1880 and about 1932.

This bottle, named after Yorkville's wine club, is a splendid Bordeaux-style blend. Ripe cherry, lush boysenberry, black currants, and notes of chocolate are abundant on the nose and on the palate. A round and elegant wine that still has good structure and the potential to age well. Pair a bottle with a juicy steak and a lightly seared cut of tuna and enjoy.
FBWorld Panel Score: 92
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Malbec / Mendocino County
One hundred thirty years ago, the York family settled in the rolling hills of southern Mendocino County. They endured wet winters and sweltering hot summer days. They made their living raising sheep and farming a small plot of land, carefully respecting the balance of nature.
Today, Yorkville Cellars continues to uphold the wonder of this area by farming organically and respecting this beautiful land. In March 1998, the area was recognized for its uniqueness and given a special designation by the BATF: as "Yorkville Highlands." All bottles now proudly carry the Yorkville Highlands AVA designation on the front label.

With all the hype around Argentina, one might think they are the only ones that grow the grape. Yorkville Cellars is one of the few California wineries that does, and they do a fine job. A glass opens up with aromas of raspberry, cherry, boysenberry, dark chocolate, sweet spice, and hints of white pepper. When sipped, flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, and raspberry meld with notes of black pepper and cocoa. The wine's bold tannins make it well suited to pair with a hearty steak or seasoned cut of lamb.
FBWorld Panel Score: 91
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Yorkville Cellars 2007 Merlot / Mendocino County
Yorkville Cellars is located in Mendocino County, 100 miles north of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. The tasting room is on Highway 128, a picturesque road that winds past vineyards, sheep ranches, and apple and peach orchards before plunging through the Redwood forest to emerge at the Mendocino coastline.

Merlot isn't as popular as it once was, but Yorkville is trying to help its comeback. The nose is lovely with lush aromas of cherry and raspberry, alongside complicating notes of sweet spice and toasty oak. With a sip, the bright red fruit returns, unfolding into a lingering finish of spicy, smoky oak. An excellent structure and smooth mouthfeel make this a highly approachable wine, and at $25 a bottle, you don't have to break the bank for quality.
FBWorld Panel Score: 92
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