La Pelle Ceniza Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2019

La Pelle ~ French ~ The Shovel noun 1. Used by Winegrower and Winemaker alike 2. From the shovel’s first plunge into the vineyard soil to its last scrape of the fermentation tank, La Pelle wines are equally crafted in the vineyard and in the cellar. Together they are a true collaboration between farmer and winemaker. As featured in notable publications, The Robb Report and The International Wine Report, La Pelle Wines was founded in 2016 by industry veterans Maayan Koschitzky, Miguel Luna, and Pete Richmond. The cornerstone of this emerging brand is to create intentional and charismatic, terroir-driven wines of insane value that, upon tasting them, immediately tell you a story and give you the most memorable first impression! Together, these incredibly talented gents are dedicated to capturing the ultimate expression of the pristine sites from which the fruit is carefully sourced. When ACME helped launch the brand three years ago, their first release was a Napa Valley designate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and we had never seen a collection of wines sell out so quickly. In our almost 20 years of business, this was one of the fastest-selling unveilings we’d ever experienced and had the pleasure of being a part of! It was a joyous moment that we will forever hang on to. 

Since then, the team at La Pelle has expertly assembled a trio of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after sites. But first, let’s meet the Makers of La Pelle… Maayan Koschitzky~ a Winemaker and Farmer originally from Israel, Screaming Eagle Alumni, and now esteemed Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka’s venerable ATELIER MELKA. Miguel Luna ~ a Viticulturist and Winemaker originally from Mexico. Partner in Silverado Farming Company and recently recognized by Wine Enthusiast as “Viticulturist of the Year.” Pete Richmond ~ a Vineyard Manager and Entrepreneur originally from Northern California. Founder of Silverado Farming Company overseeing the farming for more than 600 acres of revered vineyards across Napa’s top appellations. With La Pelle, the advantage is controlling their farming and having access to some of the finest vines in all of Napa Valley! These wines completely exude freshness and acidity, yet they are balanced with complexity and depth. We’re delighted to introduce the newest vintages of their single-vineyard Cabernet series from three incredibly special sites around the valley. Only 125 cases made of each one, and at $137/bottle for a single vineyard Cabernet, we can think of few other Cabs from Napa that have this pedigree and verve. We are wholeheartedly in love with these wines, and we know you will be too!

The 2019 Ceniza Cabernet Sauvignon hails from Coombsville. The soil here is drastically different than the soils found within the Alluvium and Red Hen Vineyards, lending to its rich, full-bodied, and powerful texture, but with incredible elegance and not a hard edge to be found. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged up in 70% new French oak barrels. Deep inky in color with explosive aromatics of black currant, dark chocolate, and ripe plums with secondary notes of violets. It has a wonderful Cabernet character, and despite its charm and upfront style, it will benefit from short-term cellaring or can keep for 20 years or more.