Deep ruby color; cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, black fig, blood orange, lavender, hibiscus, leather on the nose and palate.
Dry; some initial tannic bite and tightness that fades into silky with air; consider decanting, certainly some vigorous swirling in large glass. Balancing acidity is a nuance instead of notable. Blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 24% malbec, 12% merlot, 6% cabernet franc. Grapes hand-sorted, then precision optical sorted berry by berry to refine the all-estate harvest. Fermented and left on the skins for 22 days to extract color and concentration, then pressed. Aged for 19 months in 31% new French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 14.5% ABV
Skipstone Wines owners Constance and Fahri consider their 30-acre estate above the Mayacamus Faultline a devoted partnership with the earth. Skipstone’s vineyard management is centered on organic, sustainable, and biodynamic farming principles. For the 2021 vomtage, Skipstone limited production to just 393 cases, reflecting a commitment to quality and a respect for what the land could yield without artificial intervention.
Fahri is a native of the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean. He grew up among tranquil olive groves and Mediterranean sunshine, an atmosphere he thinks the Anderson Valley and Skipstone’s estate shares. His years as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist assisted him in envisioning the Skipstone property. And earned him the resources to make it happen.
Constance is a connoisseur of “fine-and-fast things in life [she] leverages her deep expertise in marketing luxury products to help expand Skipstone’s brand recognition. Instilled with an unconditional commitment to quality through her European roots from Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, she connects naturally and harmoniously with Skipstone.” Constance participated in brand building and event management activities at Cartier, Rolex, and Formula 1. The winery offers a large, five-bedroom vacation home on grounds—“The Residence at Skipstone”—that reflects their tastes.
Laura Jones is the winemaker. The website notes: “Prior to joining Skipstone she spent over a decade honing her craft at prestigious estates in California, New Zealand, and France, including positions at Aubert Wines, Cliff Lede Vineyards, and Domaine Armand Rousseau. She received a BS in biology from Pepperdine University and went on to earn a master’s degree in viticulture and enology from University of California Davis. For years Laura has followed the evolution of Skipstone and is honored to play a leading role in shaping its future.”
Skipstone Wines Preface by Skipstone Proprietary Red Wine, Alexander Valley, Sonoma 2021 is a splendid representation of what the Alexander Valley can deliver. Organic farming from an exceptionally beautiful property. Eloquent, complex, impressive structure. Give it some air time, and this effort from a difficult vintage will reward your patience and investment. Pair with rich beef dishes—prime rib, ribeye, other heavily-marbled cuts. Wild game—venison medallions, wild boar, wild turkey, duck breast. Rack of lamb. Slow-roasted pork shoulder. Grilled swordfish, grilled tuna with umami-rich sauce. Cheese—hard cheese, parmigiano-reggiano, aged cheddar, Spanish manchego; aged gouda, gruyère, ossau-iraty (French sheep’s milk cheese); mild blue—cambozola, Point Reyes Original Blue (from Sonoma—what grows together goes together). $87-90
