Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Legacy Collection Chardonnay is an exquisite expression of Carneros terroir that captivates the senses. The wine opens with hints of minerality, entwining seamlessly with vibrant notes of lemon grass, and stone fruit creating a mouthfeel that is simultaneously crisp and delicate. Sliced apples and white peaches mingle harmoniously with hints of pastry crust, delivering a full-bodied experience that boasts a soft, creamy texture juxtaposed with a delightful pop of acidity. Drink now for an unparalleled tasting experience that harmonizes freshness, richness, and a touch of flinty allure.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Peju's 2023 Chardonnay Legacy Collection—sourced from Carneros—features lemony crème brûlée notes up front, with subtle white peach flavors only emerging on the medium-bodied palate. Linear, direct and refreshing.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.