Peju is one of Napa 's
loveliest wineries, and I have been their many time. My last visit to was 3/28/10 so I thought it was time for a revisit.
During my last visit they mentioned having a fairly new winemaker. I seem to recall some of her wines were just
then being released. This would be Sara Fowler, who joined them in 2006. Peju is located on Highway 29 between Oakville
and Rutherford and was founded by Tony and Huerta Peju
in 1982. Their two daughters are no also
actively involved. Peju expanded from 30
acres in 1982 to 380 acres in 2009. The two main vineyards are Rutherford H.B.
Vineyard and Persephone Vineyard in Pope
Valley
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| Winery building |
Peju is open to the public without appointments. Because of its location and popularity it can
be very busy during the summer, especially on weekends. Even when visited during this peak time,
however, Peju is still very accommodating and efficient because they have a number of tasting bars and can bring visitors through for tastings in small groups.
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| Front entrance |
In addition to the famous rather surrealistically pruned
sycamores that line the lane to the
winery, Peju is well known for its lovely architecture, beautiful gardens and grounds
with art work and fountains, and an interesting changing art exhibit on the
second floor. Every three months the art
work changes and features three to four new artists.
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| Garden |
Tom, our host, was exceptionally pleasant and helpful. During the many times I've visited Peju,
staff have always been very welcoming and friendly. There is a $20 tasting fee but it is very
generously waived with a $35 wine purchase.
Peju is also in the Napa Neighbor Program, so discounts are available to
persons with a local ID.
Our tasting began with the Peju 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($22). This one a Gold Medal in 2012 at the Riverside International Competition. After some lemon on the nose I got some intense but balanced fruit on the palate, mostly grapefruit and melon and then a decent finish. It has good acid and is fairly dry but seemed somewhat green. This is not one of your light, sweetish, insipid Sauvignon Blancs, however.
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| Tasting bar |
The Peju 2009
Zinfandel was next at $30. This is
82% Zinfandel, 16% Cabernet sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot and is aged in
American oak. This had an amazing nose of cherry with a hint of spruce. Although we recently attended the Zinfandel
Festival where I tasted around 50 Zins, I do not recall any that had this much
aroma. It had red fruit on the palate
with some delicious black pepper and a long finish. I bought a bottle to try at home and found it
very pleasant.
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| Another tasting bar |
Up next was the Peju
2008 Merlot at $35. After a light
nose, this had more substance and structure than some Merlots but was still easy on the palate. I got
mostly red cherry with some chocolate, fairly dry for a Merlot, with good well integrated tannins and a fairly long finish of dark chocolate and cherry. It is a pleasant, easy to drink Merlot that has more going on than many Merlots. It should pair well with food. If you like Cabs you will probably like it. I bought a bottle to share with some friends. Of the regular tastings I liked this one the best followed by the Syrah.
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| Gift shop |
This was followed by the Peju 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon at $50. I got a black cherry and cigar box nose
followed by mostly well-balanced red cherry on the palate and a medium length
finish. This is still young.
The Peju 2009 Syrah
at $32 came after this. It had a light aroma and was fruit forward but not jammy
on the palate with good integrated tannins and some pleasant pepper, followed
by a soft finish. Nice for the price and we purchased some.
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| Gift shop |
We were also offered two tastings that were not on the regular tasting line up and both of these were in another league. I really loved
the Peju 2002 Estate Cabernet
Sauvignon at $150. After some
cherry, spice and cigar box on the nose, I encountered one of the silkiest Cabs
I've had in recent years. Although it is
supple and smooth, I think "silky" is the most accurate term. It is beautifully balanced with blackberry
and cherry and soft tannins followed by a very long finish. I would need to spend more time with this wine to determine the level of complexity it offers. Although it was over ten
years old, it still had good fruit. I
think it is at its optimum age-wise.
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| Tasting room |
Last time we visited three years ago, my favorite Peju wine
was a Cabernet Franc. It was not on
their regular tasting menu and I do not recall the year, but I remember it
being exceptional. It might very well
have been the Peju 2006 Reserve
Cabernet Franc ($115) that we tasted at this visit. This is an amazing wine and one of the finest
Cabernet Francs I've had in recent years.
It is 84% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is deep purple
in color with some plum and vanilla on the nose. On the palate it is very complex
with cherry, herbaceousness, pepper, forest floor and layers of interesting
flavors. It is full bodied but pretty
dry, with great structure and balance. As with most really exceptional wines,
it has a long finish. This is Cab Franc
at its best and a real credit to Peju.
I'd rate it a 94.
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| Art work |
Peju is a winery you will not want to miss. Their wines are quite good for the price and their 2006 Cabernet Franc is among the finest in Napa Valley. Peju is so lovely both inside and out, that even those who don't
drink wine should enjoy a visit. Whether
you like art, architecture, gardens, sculpture or nature, you will find much to view and many photo
opportunities. Below are some additional
photos.
800-446-7358
Date of visit: February
26, 2013
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