Pellet Estate
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Trouvaille"
St. Helena AVA
Auction 24 | Lot No. 48
Vintage: 2018
Pellet Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena
5 cases produced
Highlights
- A vibrant blend of two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and a bit of Merlot, revealing silky tannins, complexity and elegance
- The heritage Pellet Vineyard dates to 1863 and is among the earliest in St. Helena
- 100% estate, 100% French oak (Darnajou and Cadus), 100% passion; produced by hand, vineyard to bottle
- A very lucky find indeed—the best of the best from the Pellet Vineyard, a true labor of love
Description
Pellet Estate’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Trouvaille” is 100 percent estate fruit from the historic Pellet Vineyard and is a blend of Clone 4 and Clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Merlot. It is a wine with grip – vibrant and complex, yet shows elegance, balance, all while packed with flavors of dark fruit, hints of chocolate and spice, showing silky tannins with a seductive mouthfeel. This wine represents the absolute authentic expression of the Pellet Vineyard and is classically made by iconic vintner Tom Rinaldi. Quite frankly, as Tom and Eric think, “It’s a lucky find indeed.”
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tom Rinaldi
Winemaker, Pellet Estate
Raised in San Francisco, Tom made frequent trips to Napa on his motorcycle, buying wines directly from the wineries of the day. After four years in the Navy, Tom enrolled at UC Davis along with notable classmates Mike Martini, Tim Mondavi, Randy Dunn, and Bob Levy.
Tom's career began at Freemark Abbey, an experience he calls "a great job, and a great honor." In 1978, Tom became the founding winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards. After 22 vintages of creating some of Napa's most celebrated wines, Tom helped launch Provenance Vineyards and Hewitt Vineyard from the ground up. Tom's recent 2010 Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was named to the Wine Spectator's Top 10 in the world for 2013, and the #1 Wine in California.
Tom resides with his wife and daughter in St. Helena, where you will either find him in the vineyard, the cellar, or riding his bike throughout the Napa Valley.
Country born: United States
Education: UC Davis graduate, mentor to many many winemakers.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
To hand craft each wine appropriately to the vintage, the vineyard, and the varietal to result in the purest expression possible.
Millbrook Inn by T & T
208 Ave E
Matamoras PA 18336
United States
954-914-3218
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Millbrook Inn by T & T:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Wine Cellars | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inky George and the Longtable | 29 (2025) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 29 (2025) | |
| Revelette Wines | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 29 (2025) | |
| The Vineyardist | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | The Vineyardist | 29 (2025) |
| Women Winemakers | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 29 (2025) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Patent Wines | 2023 | Sauvignon Blanc | Yountville | Le Sauvage Élégant | 28 (2024) |
| Hertelendy Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | La Belle Étoile | 27 (2023) |
| Long Meadow Ranch Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | E.J. Church | 27 (2023) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Vineyards Reserve | 26 (2022) |
| Maxville Winery | 2021 | Sauvignon Blanc | Chiles Valley District | ORANOS | 26 (2022) |
| McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards & Winery | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Rutherford Ranch Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Abela Vineyard Charlie's Reserve | 26 (2022) |
| Acumen | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 5.71 Carats | 24 (2020) |
| Artesa Vineyards & Winery | 2018 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Tempranillo 55% Cabernet Sauvignon 45% | 24 (2020) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Omega Point Single Barrel Selection | 24 (2020) |
| Pellet Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Trouvaille | 24 (2020) |
| William Cole Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Smoking Gun | 24 (2020) |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 1959 Vineyard Old Vine Cabernet | 23 (2019) |
| Laird Family Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Pyramid Selection | 23 (2019) |
| Barlow Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Vineyard 4415 | 22 (2018) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Brush Breaker | 22 (2018) |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Paramount Proprietary Red Blend - Barrel Select | 22 (2018) |
| J. Moss Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) |
Winery Distribution
Pellet Estate is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.