2018 La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hen Vineyard Oak Knoll District Napa Valley 750 ml

The Red Hen Vineyard is located in the southern Napa Valley, where the Mayacamas Mountains meet the valley floor, and well-drained gravelly loam and clay soils produce stunning Cabernet. After 22 months in 70% new French oak, the 2018 Red Hen is dark ruby-purple, and brimming with crushed blueberries, fresh herbs and lavender. The palate is juicy and ripe, dusted with cocoa powder, and leading into a long finish accented with toasted baking spices. A gorgeous snapshot of a soon-to-be-famous site.

La Pelle might be a new-to-Napa name, but it’s backed by two of the most established and in-demand talents in the Valley—and their efforts are turning this boutique label into one of the fastest-rising cult stars in California.

The driving force behind La Pelle is winemaker Maayan Koschitzky, the Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 tastemaker that is head of winemaking for Atelier Melka, and has also made wine for Dalle Valle and Lail. His partner is iconic vineyard manager Miguel Luna, whose top-tier client list includes Accendo, Dana Estates, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Together, they’re searching out and tapping some of Napa Valley’s undiscovered sites to make some of Napa Valley’s most inspired wines. 

This is beyond a “winery to watch”—it’s a burgeoning legend whose demand is already outstripping their tiny supply, so we recommend getting in on it today.