Bordeaux varietals from Alexander Valley continue to impress me with each wine I have the opportunity to taste. And while 2018 is being heralded by critics as a standout vintage, Philppe Melka’s Skipstone Wines are among the top being bottled in the region.

Skipstone is a 200-acre private estate located on the western hillsides of the Mayacamas Range in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley. This 30-acre vineyard (certified both organic and sustainable, and farmed with biodynamic practices) is comprised of over 40 separate blocks of both original plantings from the early 90’s on the steep amphitheater-shaped hillsides and rolling benchland vineyards planted in the early 2000’s – each expressing its own characteristics of their diverse soil profiles, exposures, and clonal selections.

Skipstone began crafting wines from their estate in the 2005 vintage, and their winemaking has been led by renowned winemaker, Philippe Melka, since 2006.

As I tasted through the 2018 lineup with Estate Director Brian Ball, I noticed a through line of structure and power. The wines carry with them a serious nature, marked by dark black fruit and earthy aromatics. On the palate, there is a full and luscious texture that is backed by gripping tannins which will see the wine through in the aging process.

It’s my pleasure to give Mayacama Members access to Skipstone’s complete 2018 lineup of wines. These bottlings are only sold in restaurants and Direct to Consumer, and so we are grateful to be able to offer up these world-class Alexander Valley wines.

There is a 3-bottle minimum here but feel free to mix and match as you please.

Thank you for your support!

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg - Wine Director

2018 Preface Proprietary Red - $70.00

2018 Merlot - $140.00

2018 Malbec - $140.00

2018 Faultline - $170.00

2018 Olliver's Blend - $170.00

Click here for more information about the wines.

Three-bottle minimum order