Wines Of The Week: Yorkville Cellars – Mendocino County

By Author: FB World Team
Total Articles: 7
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Before they started Yorkville Cellars, Edward Wallo and his wife Deborah spent many years traveling in France. They took note of how the French approached making wine and their focus on blending rather than varietal wines. These ways of thinking helped shape the Wallo’s approach to bringing their own wine into the world. Back in the late 80’s, when Californian wine consisted almost exclusively of Cabernet and Chardonnay, the Wallos made the unusual choice to plant Bordeaux varieties. The plan was to model themselves after the French and make two wines – one red blend and one white blend. However, when considered against the prospect of needing to sustain the winery, Edward and Deborah finally decided to produce each grape as its own varietal. It is a good thing they did, too, because the results have been many great bottles of wine along with the distinction of being the only winery on earth which grows all eight of the original Bordeaux varieties.

Yorkville Cellars 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Mendocino County

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromas of citrus fruit ...
... and green apple meld with hints of flint on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of grapefruit, lime, and melon with accents of fresh minerals. A bright wine that still has a fairly round mouthfeel, fans of crisp, yet slightly creamy whites, should give this bottle a try.

Rating: 87

Yorkville Cellars 2010 Semillon

Grape(s): Semillon

Region: Mendocino County

Price: 15-20

Review:

A bouquet of pear, apple, and sweet spice rises up from a glass. On the palate, flavors of pear, Golden Delicious apple, and white peach meld with notes of honey. A round, rich wine that’s perfect for fans of full-bodied, round whites.

Rating: 88

Yorkville Cellars 2009 Carmenere

Grape(s): Carmenere

Region: Mendocino County

Price: 30-35

Review:

With fewer than 55 acres of the variety planted around the state, finding a varietal Carmenere is a rare treat. Aromatics of cherries, boysenberries, and plums mingle with suggestions of bell pepper, earth and spice. Flavors of cherry, blackberry, and boysenberry unfold into notes of cocoa, white pepper, and herbs. A fairly light, layered wine, fans of lush red fruit with a nice highlight of spice will enjoy this bottle very much. Drink now.

Rating: 90

Yorkville Cellars 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape(s): 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot

Region: Mendocino County

Price: 25-30

Review:

Blackberry and cherry aromas come together with notes of olive, cedar, and sweet spice on the nose. The palate unfurls flavors of bramble fruit and black cherry with accents of cinnamon, cocoa, and herbaceous suggestions. A fairly bright Cab with moderate tannins, fans of dry, approachable reds should give this bottle a try.

Rating: 88

Yorkville Cellars 2009 Petit Verdot

Grape(s): Petit Verdot

Region: Mendocino County

Price: 25-30

Review:

Blackberries and plums combine with notes of dark chocolate, sweet spice, and dusty earth on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of plum, blackberry, and cherry along with highlight of dark chocolate, cedar, and anise. A rich wine, with dusty tannins, it’s well-suited for fans of smooth, medium-bodied reds.

Rating: 89

Yorkville Cellars 2009 Cabernet Franc

Grape(s): 90% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Mendocino County

Price: 20-25

Review:

A bouquet of dark berries, clove, and creamy oak rises up from a glass. The palate greets you with flavors of blueberry, boysenberry, and cherry with accents of toasty spice. A smooth, easy-going wine, fans of light, bright reds should try this bottle.

Rating: 88

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