The La Pelle wines have become huge hist for us over the past two years. I couldn’t wait to taste their inaugural release Chardonnay, so they FedExed me a sample and I joined Mayaan and Miguel online to taste. What a wine, the most scintillating Californian Chardonnay I have tasted in years!

La Pelle Bien Nacido Block 1 Chardonnay 2019

Sale $64.99 net - Best US Price Online

NC Exclusive! Despite what may be online, we are the only retailer in NC allocated the wine.

No review yet... But all six 2018 La Pelle releases rated 94-97 pts by Jeb Dunnuck, including their 96 pt Sauvignon Blanc!

A little background on La Pelle in case you’re not yet familiar. Maayan Koschitzky is director of winemaking for Atelier Melka, yes that Philippe Melka. Chances are you had or at least heard of some of the many wines that Atelier Melka produces, Screaming Eagle, Dalle Vale, Vineyard 29, and of course Melka Estates, just to name a few. These are some of the most sought after and highest rated wines in the world. Maayan is the man behind those wines, with his hands on the fruit, in the vats, racking barrels, really making wine. Miguel Luna brings his expertise from the vineyard. He’s a partner in Silverado Farming Company, one of Napa’s most prestigious vineyard management companies. They own and farm many of the best vineyards in Napa, their Rockstar list of clients includes Lail, Dana Estates, Mole Hill, Stags Leap Wine Company, Accedo Cellars, yep more 100 point wines… They launched their own label, La Pelle, just five years ago and are already receiving wide critical acclaim.  

I’ve been impressed by La Pelle’s wines every since I first tasted their Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with Maayan and Miguel a few years ago. Since then they have expanded their portfolio to include three superb single Napa Cabernets. They produce Napa’s finest and highest rated Sauvignon Blanc. And now a quite stunning Chardonnay too! Maayan and Miguel don’t do things by halves. When looking for the best site in California they searched far beyond Napa. “I like Carneros Chardonnays but that’s not really Napa” Miguel remarked with a chuckle. “I’ve always been impressed by Chardonnay from Santa Barbara. The climate is more suited to Burgundian styled wines and they have many of the oldest vineyards there,” Maayan stated. So after much negotiation they convinced the Miller family to let them purchase some fruit from their renowned Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley (the source of many of California’s greatest Chardonnays for decades). Not just any fruit either, they got Bien Nacido’s best! Block 1, planted in 1973, own-rooted, and some of the closest vines to the Pacific Ocean. This is the kind of Grand Cru caliber fruit that every winemaker in California would love to get their hands on! I’m not sure how they managed to convince the Millers to sell them their best fruit as such a young winery. Perhaps it’s because they knew Maayan would produce a masterpiece?

“The grapes were picked overnight, whole cluster pressed, transferred into a settling tank for a few hours then barreled down. Native fermentation and native malolactic took place in barrels over 4-5 months. The nose is vivid, notes of lemon zest, peaches, and citrus with pleasant nuance reduction.  Acidic and bright mid-palate weight with tiered textures. Soft velvety structure, hint of oyster shell, lemony and bright acidity. French oak rounds the palate and lingers with refreshing layers of tropical flavors.” – Maayan Koschitzky

Less than 150 cases produced. We’re one of the only places in the country with this wine. Don’t miss it!


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.