Skipstone Essential Reds

This introduction to Skipstone package includes one bottle each of 2021 Oliver's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Skipstone Ripple Effect Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2021 Skipstone Malbec. 

Oliver's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon

Since the inaugural Skipstone vintage of 2005, our annual approach with Oliver’s is to create a blend of Cabernet Sauvignons from up to 20 individual small lots. Each lot has a unique profile (based on soil type, exposure, and clonal selection) and blended they create an exhilarating, complex Cabernet Sauvignon that shows the unique terroir of our hillside estate.

From the steep, rocky hillsides of our estate vineyard, the outstanding 2021 Oliver’s Blend exudes a beautifully complex bouquet of ripe black fruits, licorice, and rose petals layered with alluring notes of incense and tobacco leaf. The mouthwatering entry coats the palate with vibrant red berries, leading to a penetrating finish braced by powdery tannins and perfectly balanced acidity. This is a wine that is built for the long haul. Best enjoyed 2024-2046. We recommend a 2-hour decant if enjoying over the next year.

Ripple Effect Cabernet Sauvignon

Since 2005, we have been making waves emanating far beyond the boundaries of our estate. This phenomenon, our “Ripple Effect”, inspired the creation of this wine. Making its debut with the 2021 vintage, this Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the quintessential Skipstone characteristics: a distinctly nuanced and balanced wine offering a dense core of fruit that resonates across the senses with a taught, focused freshness. 

The 2021 Ripple Effect sashays from the glass with gorgeous aromas of warm cassis, mixed berry crumble, allspice, and aniseed punctuated by notions of violet leaf tea, warm clay, and garrigue. The medium to full- bodied pallet is packed with vibrant layers of ripe red fruits, revealing outstanding energy and verve around a firm tannin frame that finishes seamlessly. Best enjoyed 2025-2036; we recommend a 1 hour decant if enjoying prior to this window. 

Malbec

Our small block of Malbec has traditionally been reserved for blending into Faultline Vineyard or Oliver’s Blend. We have always been pleased by the intense berry notes and vibrant violet color that it adds to any blend. Beginning with the 2014 vintage, we decided our Malbec was too special to relegate only to a supporting role, and thus decided to start bottling a small amount of this wine on its own.

A gorgeous purple-ruby color, the 2021 Malbec opens with captivating aromas of crushed blueberries, baked cherries, Ceylon tea, and dried lavender. The palate is an enchanting elixir of powdered raspberry, crème de cassis, and Morello cherry layered with accents of exotic spices and spring flowers. This dazzling wine waltzes across the palate and finish long and pure with perfectly integrated, velvety tannins. While pleasing and accessible in its youth, this wine will enhance with extended cellar aging. Best enjoyed 2024 through 2036, we recommend a short decant if enjoying this year. Best enjoyed 2024-2046. We recommend a 2-hour decant if enjoying over the next year.

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