2019 La Pelle Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hen Vineyard Oak Knoll District Napa Valley 750 ml

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 stars in California.

The driving force behind La Pelle is winemaker Maayan Koschitzky, the Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 tastemaker who’s 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 Stags Leap. Together, they’re searching out and tapping some of Napa’s virtually undiscovered sites to make some of the Valley’s most inspired wines. 

The Red Hen Vineyard is located in 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 2019 Red Hen shows a dark ruby-purple and brims with crushed blueberries, fresh herbs, and lavender. The palate is juicy, ripe, and dusted with cocoa powder, leading into a long finish accented with toasted baking spices. A gorgeous snapshot of a soon-to-be-famous site.

This is beyond a “winery to watch”—it’s a burgeoning legend whose demand is already outstripping their tiny supply.  Few wines can match the skill and pedigree of this micro-production masterpiece. And did we mention that 2019 is a drop-dead gorgeous vintage for Napa Valley?