Peju 2022 Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley

Peju’s 2022 Cabernet Franc arrives with the kind of tension you’d expect from a Napa veteran doing something new. The nose opens on brambly red fruit—craisins and blackberries—layered with savory dried herbs, pepper, and just a whisper of lavender crème brûlée. It’s expressive, but pruned of excess. 

On the palate, the wine tightens into structure. Crimson fruit maintains its vibrancy while baking spice and herb threads offer lift. Tannins are silk-wrapped, giving frame but letting the freshness ride through to a final echo that stays long and poised. 

What grounds it is Peju’s story. Since planting in Rutherford in 1983, the Peju family has grown from a garage winery to a lush estate, rooted in sustainability—organic farming in Rutherford and Fish Friendly certification across all estate blocks. This Cabernet Franc sources grapes from four distinct estates, then ages 18 months (40% new French and American oak) to translate that place into texture and clarity. 

2022 was dubbed the “tale of two harvests”: a wave of late-season heat in September, followed by rain that halted picking and tightened the timeline. Peju embraced it. The result feels shaped not rushed—concentrated flavor delivered with composure and precision. 

This Cabernet Franc doesn’t aim for fireworks. It stands quietly precise—high-toned, beautifully balanced, and built to bridge dinner conversations and quiet moments equally well.