THE HENRY
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Lail Vineyards honors one of the members of the sixth generation of the Lail winemaking family in Napa Valley with this first-ever bottling of THE HENRY, named in honor Robin’s grandson Henry Dixon - the younger brother of Georgia (the namesake of our proprietary flagship Sauvignon Blanc). This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2021 vintage is composed of six distinct nested appellations throughout the Napa Valley, from Calistoga in the north to Coombsville in the south, expressing the great diversity of the valley’s climates, soils and exposures. It includes also fruit from Rutherford, Yountville, Howell Mountain and Oakville. This is truly an amalgam of exemplary vineyards that showcases the richness, balance and overall quality of the 2021 vintage.
Winemaker, Gemstone
Philippe spent much of his early life in Bordeaux, receiving his geology degree in 1989 from the University of Bordeaux. In his final year of study, he took a wine course purely out of sheer curiosity, and from that moment on realized his passion and future lay in the world of wine.
In 1991 he completed a masters program in Agronomy and Enology under the direction of Professor Sequin, a reputed specialist with regard to terroir. Philippe was fascinated by the relationship between soil and wine quality and his appreciation of the study of soil agronomy continues to this day in his work as a viticulturist as well as winemaker.
Philippe set out for the New World to discover its wines and expand his knowledge in the process. In 1991-1992, he worked for Dominus in both winemaking and vineyard management. He split 1992 between working harvest at Chittering Estate in western Australia, and returning to Dominus to study grape maturation and ideal picking times.
In 1993, Philippe studied soils at Badia a Coltibuono in Italy as well as the emerging Sangiovese varietal. In the spring of that year, he was once again on French soil, joining the J. P. Moueix company in Libourne, where he stayed until returning to Napa Valley in 1994 to devote himself to winemaking and continuing soil studies.
Country born: France
Education: Geology degree - University of Bordeaux
Master's Degreee Agronomy and Enology - University of Bordeaux
Professor Sequin at University of Bordeaux - a reputed specialist with regard to terroir.
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
To create wines tht expresses the voice of its native soil.
Winemaker, Lail Vineyards
Born and raised in Bordeaux, France, I attended the University of Bordeaux graudating with a degree in geology, then a Master's degree in enology and agronomy. My first winery was Chateau Haut Brion, followed by work and study in Australia, Italy, back in France (Petrus) and finally in Napa Valley (Dominus). I began consulting in 1995, and Lail Vineyards was one of my first projects.
Country born: France
Education: I attended the University of Bordeaux graudating with a degree in geology, then a Master's degree in enology and agronomy.
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Named by Robert Parker as one of the top nine wine consultants in the world.
Winemaking Philosophy:
Wines are made in the vineyard, with minimal intervention in the cellar.
Winemaker, Vineyard 29
Philippe spent much of his early life in Bordeaux, receiving his geology degree in 1989 from the University of Bordeaux. In his final year of study, he took a wine course purely out of sheer curiosity, and from that moment on realized his passion--and future--lay in the world of wine.
In 1991 he completed a masters program in Agronomy and Enology under the direction of Professor Sequin, a reputed specialist with regard to terroir. Philippe was fascinated by the relationship between soil and wine quality and his appreciation of the study of soil agronomy continues to this day in his work as a viticulturist as well as winemaker.
Philippe set out for the New World to discover its wines and expand his knowledge in the process. In 1991-1992, he worked for Dominus in both winemaking and vineyard management. He split 1992 between working harvest at Chittering Estate in Western Australia, and returning to Dominus to study grape maturation and ideal picking times.
In 1993, Philippe studied soils at Badia a Coltibuono in Italy as well as the emerging Sangiovese varietal. In the spring of that year, he was once again on French soil, joining the J. P. Moueix company in Libourne, where he stayed until returning to Napa Valley in 1994 to devote himself to winemaking and continuing soil studies.
In 1999, Philippe began making Vineyard 29 wines. After the McMinns purchased the property, Philippe proved instrumental in thinking through the winery design—with the aim of arriving at a design that would help him to produce the best wine possible. In conjunction with the design and winemaking process, he aided with vineyard selection as Chuck sought another property to add to the Vineyard 29 portfolio. Now, years later, we often hear Philippe referred to as one of the most important winemakers in Napa Valley today.
Country born: France
Education: University of Bordeaux - geology, viticulture, enology
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaker, Lail Vineyards
Maayan has amassed an impressive winemaking resume spanning from the vineyards of Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle here in the Napa Valley, working alongside some of the top winemakers and among the most coveted terroirs in the world. In 2014 Maayan joined the Philippe Melka team and serves as the Director of Winemaking.
Country born: Israel
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Lail Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Lail Vineyards Contact: Michael Updegraff
2024 © Napa Valley Vintners All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement