Peju

Anthony Peju founded his Peju Winery in 1982 upon purchasing 30 acres of land in the heart of Napa Valley. It was Tony’s passion for farming and wine that brought him to California from his birthplace near the Caspian Sea. It was the location of Peju Vineyards situated between Highway 29 and the Napa River with neighboring Rutherford vineyards including Robert Mondavi, Inglenook and Beaulieu that helped Peju to gain its early recognition. Those original 30 acres at the winery site is now referred to as the HB Vineyard (named after Tony’s wife Herta) and produces the organically farmed Reserve Peju wines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Their other vineyard locations contain plantings of Petite Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc according to our Peju wine reviews. Today, Tony and Herta have introduced their two daughters, Lisa and Ariana, to the workings of the Peju Province Winery. For more information check out our Peju wine ratings listed below.

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Peju 2006 H.B. Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Price $225

This is a very high-class Cabernet. You can tell from the sumptuous tannins and the overall balance and elegance. It’s soft and gentle enough to drink now, with voluptuous waves of blackberries, black currants, anise, chocolate and cedar, yet shows a density that suggests midterm ageability through 2015 or so. — S.H. (6/1/2010)

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Peju 2006 Fifty/Fifty Estate Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Napa Valley)

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Price $85

Much more tannic than Peju’s other ’06s, it’s deeply flavored in blackberries, blueberries, currants, dark chocolate, spices and sweet, smoky oak. Beautiful and dramatic. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. Drinkable now, with decanting, and should develop over the next 4–6 years. — S.H. (12/1/2009)

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Peju 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Price $95

It’s a close call as to which is better, Peju’s regular ’99 or this pricy Reserve. This one wins on sheer richness. It’s a fabulous wine, thick and juicy, a glyceriney beauty drenched with elaborate oak. Has a depth and beauty of flavor that puts it among the best. Framed in exquisite tannins, it thrills the palate. — S.H. (11/15/2002)

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Peju 2003 H.B. Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $150

Here’s the most expensive wine from Peju ever. Is it worth it? You decide. This is a magnificent wine. It’s as ripely gorgeous as anything out there, with tons of black and red cherry, plum, chocolate and 100% new oak flavors. But it has a dense, sandpapery overlay of tannins. You can drink it now with decanting, but it will soften and improve over a decade. — S.H. (7/1/2007)

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Peju 2006 Estate Bottled Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Price $105

A very good wine, rich and softly drinkable now, with voluptuous tannins. It’s extraordinarily ripe in blackberries, black cherries, anise, chocolate, spices and cedar. Doesn’t seem all that much better than the winery’s regular ’06 Cab, at less than half the price, but it’s quite opulent and will develop for a decade. — S.H. (6/1/2010)

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Peju 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Online Exclusive

Price $105

Erupts out from the glass with beautiful Cabernet perfume, suggesting cherry pie from the oven, licorice, sandalwood and dusty dried herbs, like sage and thyme. Very dry, with a long spicy finish, but also quite tannic, although lots of the tannins come from new oak. Best to age this polished 100% Cab for at least six years. — S.H. (12/1/2010)

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Peju 2008 Estate Bottled Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Price $105

The vintage was a good one for Peju, resulting in wines that bear the winery’s distinctive style of balanced elegance. This reserve is very ripe and flamboyant in blackberry and black currant flavors, with an opulent overlay of toasty oak. This is so delicious that it tastes like there’s a squirt of milk chocolate in it, but the wine is, in fact, thoroughly dry. — S.H. (9/1/2012)

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Peju 2008 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley)

Price $115

Peju’s regular 2008 Cabernet Franc, released a year ago, was outstanding. This one’s even better. It’s arguably one of the best California Cabernet Francs ever. This is absolutely delicious in red cherry and blueberry jam, cherry liqueur, cola and sandalwood flavors. It’s marked by an exquisite mouthfeel—all silk and satin. Give it a few hours in a decanter, and… — S.H. (9/1/2012)

Most Reviewed Designations

Carnival French Delicias Estate Estate Bottled Estate Bottled Reserve Fifty/Fifty Fifty/Fifty Red Wine H.B. Vineyard Persephone Vineyard Reserve Rose of Syrah

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Chardonnay Colombard Merlot Port Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Syrah Zinfandel

2011 Gauthier Los Chamizal Vineyard

Expensive, but aims for a Zinfandel touchdown and largely succeeds. With…

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