2021 Skipstone Preface Proprietary Red, Alexander Valley California

The 2021 Skipstone Preface Proprietary Red is an estate-grown Bordeaux-style blend from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, crafted from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Malbec, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Preface serves as an introduction to the Skipstone estate, bringing together fruit from different vineyard blocks across the property's hillside and benchland sites above the Mayacamas Faultline. The grapes were hand-sorted and precision optical sorted before fermentation, then aged for 19 months in French oak, including 31% new oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the 2021 vintage shows expressive aromas of crushed blackberry, crème de cassis, black fig, blood orange, lavender, and hibiscus tea.

Full-bodied and beautifully structured, the wine develops layers of black cherry, plum preserves, espresso, dried leaves, and exotic spice across a silky palate framed by fine tannins and a long, persistent finish. Its combination of estate-grown fruit, organic farming, careful sorting, and polished Bordeaux-style structure makes Preface an elegant expression of Alexander Valley and an excellent introduction to the Skipstone portfolio. It pairs especially well with prime rib, ribeye, roasted lamb, slow-roasted pork, grilled tuna, grilled swordfish, and aged cheeses.