Accolades
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Skipstone
An obsession with detail may propel this Alexander Valley start-up to the head of the class.
An obsession with detail may propel this Alexander Valley start-up to the head of the class. To understand why Skipstone makes excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier, you might want to look at its olive oil. The oil bottles are etched with an olive-branch pattern; the label background repeats the design, and where the patterns meet, they align perfectly. Minute attention to detail—through hand-application in the case of the olive oil—is why this Alexander Valley winery with Napa Valley aspirations is likely to realize its dreams.
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Aiming High in the Alexander Valley
Winemaker Andrew Levi can’t believe his luck. As the grower and winemaker for Skipstone Ranch in the Alexander Valley, he’s been given the right site, the right help and the right amount of room to try his hand at making world-class cabernet sauvignon. So far, so good.
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Local Artisan Olive Oil
...More than just a dip for bread or tasteless oil for heart-healthy sauteeing, true olive oil has as much depth, flavor and character as a fine wine.
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‘The debut vintage for Skipstone, the 2005 Proprietary Red, is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet perfume of blue and black fruits as well as loamy soil scents. Medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, but none of the herbaceousness or strong, dusty character often found in Alexander Valley Cabernets, this is a well-crafted offering from French consultant, Philippe Melka. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.’
Winemaker Andrew Levi can’t believe his luck. As the grower and winemaker for Skipstone Ranch in the Alexander Valley, he’s been given the right site, the right help and the right amount of room to try his hand at making world-class cabernet sauvignon. So far, so good.
» More
Local Artisan Olive Oil
...More than just a dip for bread or tasteless oil for heart-healthy sauteeing, true olive oil has as much depth, flavor and character as a fine wine.
» More
‘The debut vintage for Skipstone, the 2005 Proprietary Red, is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet perfume of blue and black fruits as well as loamy soil scents. Medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, but none of the herbaceousness or strong, dusty character often found in Alexander Valley Cabernets, this is a well-crafted offering from French consultant, Philippe Melka. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.’
Robert Parker, Jr.
The Wine Advocate, 91 Points
‘...One of the best Cabernet Sauvignon based wines I tasted all year...a wine that redefines the potential of Cabernet Sauvignon based blends in Sonoma County and rivals the best wines from around the state.’
Jason Alexander,
Sommelier
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