2018 Preface Red

2018 Preface Red

2018 Preface Red This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend incorporates all four red varieties on our estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. 2018 was a cooler vintage than average throughout the entire growing season, which allowed for long hangtimes – a combination that yielded wines of full flavor ripeness, moderate alcohols and mouthfeel, and beautifully vibrant aromatics. Bright red fruits interwoven with fresh violets and a hint of cedar interwoven pop from the glass. Red cherry and raspberry form the core of this wine’s bursting blend of flavors. A touch lighter than the rest of the Skipstone wines, Preface has a medium body, yet displays the classic Skipstone vineyard characteristics: purity of fruit, density, and freshness.

Philippe Melka has reached the Zenith of Cabernet wine making in California, making some of the all-time greats and personal favorites. His first gig was Seavey, he still makes their wines. I had a bottle of the Seavey Cab 2004 on Wednesday night and it was incredible. Others now include Hundred Acre, Cliff Lede, Adamvs, Vineyard 29 and many more. The 2018 vintage is going down as one of the greatest ever, receiving 98pts by Wine Spectator for vintage the highest rating they have given a vintage since 1997. The 2018 Skipstone Preface is a new 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.  The Winery behind Preface is Skipstone who are making some of the finest wines in the Alexander Valley. Their red wines sell for $150 plus a bottle which is where you will normally pay for a Melka bottling. Todays wine is at $69.99 making this a screaming buy. Unfortunately we only have 15 cases to offer! Marvelously rich and unctuous, floorlessly made and an easy wine to love! An insider wine that’s amazingly good and a tremendous buy opportunity!