2016 Preface Red Wine Alexander Valley Sonoma 750 ml

We live for our access to crazy deals like this, but the back story on this almost sounds too good to be true:

Thanks to an intriguingly complicated NDA, we can’t tell you the name of the legendary vineyard behind this powerful, opulent 2016 Preface red. But knowing what we know, even we cannot believe how we were able to secure it at this price. From an iconic producer whose $165+ Bordeaux-style wines are so highly allocated they are reserved for their ultra-exclusive mailing list. We got a hot tip on the experimental vintage of the estate’s very first release of this red.

The tip came in thanks to our close relationship with Philippe Melka, the 100-point winemaker who makes Preface with the same polished, silky character that is his signature. He told us he used the same single-estate, single-vineyard Alexander Valley grapes that go into this wine’s more recognizable big brother, so it’s no wonder this 2016 is so integrated and utterly seamless.

Dark and rich, with alluring blackberry, cassis, dried blueberry, and black plum aromas, the Alexander Valley terroir  comes in with a savory tilled-earth note on the palate, followed by violet, tobacco, cedar, and cocoa nib. Centered yet texturally expansive, the power of the Cabernet Sauvignon is beautifully accented by the luxurious roundness of the Merlot. It’s this perfectly ripe fruit character that delivers the delineated energy of the 2016 Preface, a sensation that carries well through the wine’s long, supple finish.

Preface was born when the owners of this legendary vineyard were inspired to make a value red that would act as a “preface,” if you will, to their single-site Cabernets of incredible excellence. 

But despite its bargain price, Preface still boasts $100 complexity. We liked it so much that they gave us an exclusive to share this bold red with Wine Access members at an unbelievable price: $45! They simply can’t wait to release the 2017 vintage with the winery’s name firmly and proudly on the bottle. Word has it, that wine is already on the list at the French Laundry—going for $195 a pop.

Preface and its sibling come from one of those stunning organic hillside vineyards that are so breathtakingly alive they form an ecosystem of their own. The vineyard forms a natural amphitheater in the heart of Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, which Melka credits for the perfectly even ripeness levels of its grapes. He knows from good terroir. The same winemaker who’s had his hands in Bordeaux’s Pétrus, Dominus, and Haut-Brion, Melka’s specialty is coaxing a true sense of place out of each of his wines. He knew the 2016 Preface was just as special as everything else he touches, but that this vintage experiment needed a home. So he called us.

We recommend getting in now, before this winery’s mailing list finds out that this wine exists.