2019 La Pelle Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 750 ml

Ask any expert in Napa about the most sought-after winemakers in the Valley, and one name comes up immediately: Maayan Koschitzky.

So when Koschitzky formed La Pelle Wines with the vineyard dream-team of Pete Richmond and Wine Enthusiast Viticulturist of the Year Miguel Luna, the wine world declared it to be Napa’s next big thing.

Today, La Pelle is no longer “next”: The label has shot to the top because of Cabernets that are even more spectacular than expected—like the 2019 La Pelle Reserve.

This is the absolute crème de la crème of La Pelle’s lineup. Comprising 97% Cabernet sourced mainly from prestigious sites in St. Helena and Coombsville, aged in 75% new French oak, this bottle stands with the greatest wines made in Napa Valley. Jeb Dunnuck, who has yet to weigh in on this vintage, called last year’s version “magical” in his 97-point review.

A few years ago, Miguel Luna told his wife: “If I ever have a wine label, I’m going to call it The %*$king Shovel.” He knew firsthand that making wine is incredibly hard work: It’s putting vines in the ground and scooping grape skins out of the fermenters—in other words, all shovels. So when Luna joined forces with Richmond and Koschitzky, they opted for the French name “La Pelle”—a family-friendly version of “The %*$king Shovel.”

Blue-collar name notwithstanding, the Reserve is pure Napa Cabernet luxury. It’s a bottle that belongs alongside the very best in your cellar.