The Wine Fairy

It’s 93 degrees outside. We’re hunkering down with a chilled bottle, out of reach of the big, angry sun.

The hideout is Wine A Little, an intimate wine bar in McKinney, Texas. Scanning the wine list, our thirsty eyes land upon a Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley’s PEJU Winery.

PEJU’s Legacy Collection is its value-focused label, which includes a Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Their aim is to offer accessible California styles that can be opened at casual meals and gatherings.

This citrus-driven Sauvignon Blanc is a pale lemon-green, with good intensity on the nose. Unripe guava, lemon zest, yuzu juice, and lemongrass mellow into green honeysuckle and a hint of fresh rising dough. There’s a touch of grassiness, too–think “freshly cut flower stems,” not “mowing the lawn.”

A mouth-watering palate brings a blend of tart fruits, with pineapple asserting itself under all of the zesty citrus. It’s fully dry and light-ish in body–but with a concentrated, tropical finish that outlasts the acid zing. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel for a pure, summer-ready expression of the variety.

I usually like to drink my Cali Sauv Blanc not too cold, in order to notice more nuances of texture and aroma. But this wine benefits from being well-chilled in order to mute the alcohol and emphasize its brightness. (Ice bucket at the ready!)

PEJU’s Legacy Collection Sauvignon Blanc is bottled under the California North Coast appellation. It retails for about $10 less than their similarly packaged Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. That 30% savings may not drive your wine choice when selecting a single bottle for dinner–but for an open bar or large dinner party, it becomes a mighty attractive option.

It’s hard to find anything to complain about in this crisp and vibrant wine. It’s a very enjoyable, balanced Sauvignon Blanc that will please most drinkers of the variety. Ringing up at under $25, but still carrying some Napa Valley prestige, it really is a great value for sipping, snacking, and socializing.

Bottle: PEJU “Legacy Collection” North Coast Sauvignon Blanc (2024) – California, United States

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)

ABV: 13.5%

Suggested retail: $24.99

My rating: 9.0 (out of 10)

Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this review. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.