2023 La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 750 ml

When Maayan Koschitzky, Atelier Melka's Director of Winemaking, founded La Pelle Wines with the vineyard dream-team of Pete Richmond and Miguel Luna, the wine world had daunting expectations. La Pelle has surpassed them all, becoming one of the most in-demand labels in Napa Valley—the kind collectors cellar alongside bottles that cost two and three times as much.

The name traces back to a long day in the vineyard. Miguel Luna, Wine Enthusiast's Viticulturist of the Year, once told his wife that if he ever had a wine label, he'd call it “The Freaking Shovel”—though he didn't say “freaking.” As a partner in the elite Silverado Farming Company, he knew that making wine is relentless physical work: putting vines in the ground, scooping skins out of the fermenters—all shovels. When Luna joined forces with Richmond and Koschitzky, they kept his promise, choosing the French “la pelle” as a family-friendly version of the original idea.

The Reserve is the flagship. After 12 months in barrel, Koschitzky selects from three single vineyards farmed by Silverado: Red Hen in Oak Knoll, Ceniza in Coombsville, and Alluvium in St. Helena. It's Napa Valley's best fruit shaped with Bordeaux-like sensibilities—rich and bold, yet elegant and precise.

Expect a deep, opaque core and a nose of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and Amarena cherry layered with graphite, black tea, cocoa nib, cedar, and fresh bay leaf. The palate is commanding but balanced, with velvety tannins framing cassis, dark plum, bittersweet chocolate, and crushed ironstone, and notes of espresso, tobacco leaf, and vanilla bean emerging as it opens.

This wine could easily be mistaken for one of Maayan or Miguel's higher-profile, higher-priced clients. Made in tiny quantities, it's all but impossible to find unless you're on the mailing list—or dining at St. Helena's PRESS. Cellar it, pour it, and you'll understand why collectors keep making La Pelle so scarce.