2021 La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvium Vineyard St. Helena 750 ml

Maayan Koschitzky, Director of Winemaking for Atelier Melka, is one of the most respected and sought-after Cabernet craftsmen in Napa Valley. Since he founded La Pelle Wines with the vineyard dream-team of Pete Richmond and Miguel Luna, it has risen to become one of the most in-demand labels in Napa Valley. 

The 97-point 2021 La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvium Vineyard shows why collectors cellar these wines alongside Napa Valley bottles that go for three and four times the price. “This is super stuff at what should be a reasonable (by Napa standards) price,” wrote Wine Advocate. 

A few years ago, at the end of a long day, Wine Enthusiast Viticulturist of the Year Miguel Luna told his wife: “If I ever have a wine label, I’m going to call it The %*$king Shovel.” 

As a partner in the elite Silverado Farming Company, he knew firsthand that making wine is incredibly hard work: It’s putting vines in the ground and scooping grape skins out of the fermenters—in other words, all shovels. So when Luna joined forces with Richmond and Koschitzky, they kept Miguel’s promise, opting for the French name “La Pelle”—a family-friendly version of the name Miguel dreamed up. 

Grown from 40-year-old vines in the famed alluvial soil and up-valley heat of St. Helena, the 2021 La Pelle Alluvium Vineyard Cabernet is a micro-production masterpiece that unfolds with a luxurious, full-bodied texture and dark-fruit flavors that meld seamlessly with well-integrated tannins and a touch of florals and spice. A gem that will only get better over the next decade and a half.