Red Wine Club lovers I

2016 Skipstone Preface Proprietary Red

The Story:
Preface is a new Skipstone wine made by Philippe Melka. The grapes are sourced from hillside vineyards on the Mayacamas range, located in the southeast portion of the Alexander Valley. Farmed sustainably and certified organic, grapes were all handfarmed, hand-harvested at night to preserve the freshness and integrity of the grapes.

One of the aspects of California wine country that continues to charm us year after year is just how many hidden vineyard sites there are, each one more captivating than the next, and marvelous ones seemingly around every corner. 

Preface is a new, Merlot-dominated Bordeaux-blend (about 70%) rounded out by small additions of both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and aromatic expression. Organically grown on a single hillside estate on the Mayacamas range, in the southeast portion of the Alexander Valley, our friend Philippe Melka is the winemaking magician behind this beautifully crafted red wine. Philippe and his team hand-picked these grapes during the night, maintaining optimal freshness. They sorted each grape, first by hand, and then again using an optical sorter (aka the most advanced winemaking gizmo I have ever seen). Philippe determined that an 18-month élévage in French oak barrels (65% new) would best suit this wine, and we agree. Preface has a plummy, plush Merlot core, with a gorgeous note of espresso and baking chocolate providing a bass line to the tune. It is an easy wine to love, and another reminder of the wonders hiding in plain sight here in wine country.

2018 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon

A rich and compelling nose of blackberry, cassis, smoky leather, and dried herbs is enhanced with layers of plum and cherry, cocoa and sandalwood. Notes of pencil lead and crushed rock mingle with subtle nuances of sage and menthol. Bold and full-bodied, this wine is structured firmly around a solid core of boysenberry and cherry fruit.