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March 13, 2024

A First Look at Our Editors’ Most Exciting New Wines

California

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends

heitzcabernet-sauvignon-oakville-martha-s-vineyard Label
heitzcabernet-sauvignon-oakville-martha-s-vineyard Label
96 points | $350 | 3,612 cases made | Red

This red brims with dark currant, cherry and loganberry fruit, but you have to work through a lush swath of menthol to get there, all while notes of sweet tobacco and a hint of loam run underneath. Fine-grained, with a lingering twang of iron, this has all it requires for a lengthy cellar run, yet needs to meld a bit more. Best from 2026 through 2045. —J.M.

fayardcabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-reserve Label
fayardcabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-reserve Label
94 points | $105 | 410 cases made | Red

This has the vivid, polished ripeness of the vintage, with lots of cassis, plum puree and boysenberry coulis notes stretching out over licorice, apple wood and violet flavors. Grippy, but with the fruit to soak that up, this is set for the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2038. —J.M.

friascabernet-sauvignon-oakville-prado Label
friascabernet-sauvignon-oakville-prado Label
94 points | $175 | 300 cases made | Red

This flirts with exotic, with açaí, boysenberry and linzer torte notes that assert themselves right away, plus a nice girder of graphite running underneath. A backdrop of roasted applewood and violet sits in wait for the fruit to meld with it, bringing latent energy that should give this the fuel to cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2025 through 2037. —J.M.

heitzcabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-lot-c-91 Label
heitzcabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-lot-c-91 Label
94 points | $120 | 3,769 cases made | Red

An alluring whiff of mint leads off, followed quickly by tightly wound damson plum and red currant coulis notes. Sleek and tight-grained on the finish, with cedar, savory and iron accents rippling through before leaving a sanguine echo. This distinctive version is set up to age well. Best from 2026 through 2038. From California.—J.M.

heitzcabernet-sauvignon-rutherford-trailside-vineyard Label
heitzcabernet-sauvignon-rutherford-trailside-vineyard Label
94 points | $200 | 4,627 cases made | Red

Sleek and focused, with notes of damson plum, red currant coulis and dark cherry preserves corseted tightly with singed tobacco, cast iron and loam accents. Cedar and sanguine notes add a twang amid the dark fruit, giving the finish a mouthwatering edge. A little patience required. Best from 2026 through 2040. —J.M.

laird-familycabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley Label
laird-familycabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley Label
93 points | $70 | 1,400 cases made | Red

A lush, flattering style, with warmed cassis, fresh açaí berry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes pressed together by bittersweet cocoa–accented toast. Dark and winey through the finish, with a streak of tar underneath that gives the lush fruit a solid grounding. Best from 2025 through 2037. —J.M.

laird-familycabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-mast-ranch Label
laird-familycabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-mast-ranch Label
93 points | $110 | 700 cases made | Red

A dense, high-toast style, this delivers a brick house of black currant preserves and fig paste wrapped in espresso crema, black licorice, warm earth and dark tobacco notes. Broad and burly through the finish, with the fruit knitting slowly but steadily with the earth and toast aspects. For fans of the muscular style. Best from 2026 through 2038. —J.M.

nickel-nickelcabernet-sauvignon-oakville-john-c-sullenger-vineyard Label
nickel-nickelcabernet-sauvignon-oakville-john-c-sullenger-vineyard Label
93 points | $135 | 1,800 cases made | Red

This red is nicely packed with black currant, boysenberry and mulberry fruit flavors that drive along steadily, with flashes of singed anise, violet and apple wood filling in on the finish. Emphasizes the fruit, but maintains a pure and detailed feel. Best from 2025 through 2036. —J.M.

These wines are the Wine Spectator editors’ picks of the top scorers, great values, famous names and rising stars from their latest tastings! Subscribe to Insider Weekly for the first look!

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Oregon

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

California

Chardonnay

aubertchardonnay-russian-river-valley-eastside Label
aubertchardonnay-russian-river-valley-eastside Label
96 points | $95 | 1,470 cases made | White

Generous, lush and delicious, with flavors of mouthwatering lemon curd, dried pineapple, ripe melon, wildflower honey and salted butterscotch. A fresh, juicy thread of acidity keeps all the flavors in focus, while notes of buttery brioche and fresh marzipan linger in the background. Drink now through 2036. —M.W.

aubertchardonnay-sonoma-coast-cix Label
aubertchardonnay-sonoma-coast-cix Label
95 points | $115 | 1,193 cases made | White

Toasted wild fennel, lemon blossom, ginger and litsea oil notes offer complexity and harmony to the bold core of melon, citrus, apple and peach flavors. Shows plenty of momentum on the finish, with a fresh thread of acidity keeping everything in focus. Drink now through 2033. —M.W.

aubertchardonnay-sonoma-coast-powder-house Label
aubertchardonnay-sonoma-coast-powder-house Label
95 points | $110 | 2,412 cases made | White

This white is aromatic and well-defined, but with a wonderful sense of restraint as well, offering complex notes of cardamom, nutmeg and ginger that show a touch of crunchy sea salt and a hint of toasted sesame seed, with fruit flavors of melon, citrus, peach and Honeycrisp apple that are fresh and vibrant. All that complexity really sings harmoniously on the finish. Drink now through 2036. —M.W.

aubertchardonnay-sonoma-coast-uv-sl-vineyard Label
aubertchardonnay-sonoma-coast-uv-sl-vineyard Label
94 points | $95 | 2,197 cases made | White

Complex, generous and wonderfully stylish, offering a core of candied apple, salted caramel, mouthwatering lemon curd and toasted, buttery brioche flavors. Hints of flint and honeysuckle and a supple, creamy texture linger on the stunning finish. Drink now through 2034. —M.W.

patz-hallchardonnay-russian-river-valley-zio-tony-ranch Label
patz-hallchardonnay-russian-river-valley-zio-tony-ranch Label
94 points | $70 | 195 cases made | White

This stunning version features a succulent and savory mix of lemon curd, marmalade and peach pastry flavors. Shows notes of lemon oil, dried ginger and roasted, salted almonds, plus a toasted sesame seed hint. Floral, toast and spice notes linger on the fresh, juicy frame. Drink now. —M.W.

chev-calichardonnay-russian-river-valley Label
chev-calichardonnay-russian-river-valley Label
93 points | $80 | 908 cases made | White

Aromatic and wonderfully supple, showing pineapple, mango and lemon curd flavors at the core, with details of orange blossom and salted caramel, plus a touch of crème brûlée. Offers a fresh thread of acidity and a candied ginger detail on the finish. Drink now through 2033. —M.W.

patz-hallchardonnay-russian-river-valley-kent-ritchie-vineyard Label
patz-hallchardonnay-russian-river-valley-kent-ritchie-vineyard Label
93 points | $70 | 144 cases made | White

Polished and intense, with a supple core of lemon curd, ripe melon and toasted, salted almond flavors. Shows orange blossom and wildflower honey accents, plus a touch of nougat. There's plenty of precision here, with a long, lush and lingering finish. Drink now through 2036. —M.W.

value pick of the week
Oregon
Value Pick of the Week
king-estatepinot-gris-willamette-valley-artisan-series Label

KING ESTATE

Pinot Gris Willamette Valley Artisan Series 2023

90 points | $20 | 3,000 cases made | White

Tasting Note: Sleek and succulent with fragrant honeysuckle, lemon and nectarine flavors that glide on a vibrant finish. Drink now. —T.F.

Hot Wines

These are the most exciting discoveries from our editors’ most recent tastings, published exclusively in Wine Spectator Insider. They are high-scoring wines from around the world that may be difficult to find, but are worth seeking out.

royal-tokajitokaji-essencia Label
royal-tokajitokaji-essencia Label
98 points | $1,316 / 375ml | 16 cases imported | Dessert
Hungary

A rich, vibrant sweetie that drapes the palate in a lush swathe of steeped Earl Grey tea leaf, mango lassi and baked peach flavors, with accents of pain d'épices, grilled Macadamia nut, candied ginger, white pepper and masala spices. Lip-smacking acidity reins in this rich explosion of flavor and texture, with a pinpoint, graceful precision to the balance. Long and expressive. Drink now through 2044. From Hungary.—A.N.

aubertchardonnay-carneros-larry-hyde-sons Label
aubertchardonnay-carneros-larry-hyde-sons Label
97 points | $95 | 1,153 cases made | White
United States

Impressive, plush and concentrated, this starts out bright and crisp, with bold and expressive flavors of fresh apple, peach and grilled lemon. Details of orange blossom, nutmeg, apple pastry and tarragon add complexity, with additional hints of peppery white flowers, nougat and milk oolong tea lingering on the epic finish. Drink now through 2033. From California.—M.W.

aubertchardonnay-napa-sugar-shack Label
aubertchardonnay-napa-sugar-shack Label
96 points | $110 | 674 cases made | White
United States

A stunning white, with nectarine, pineapple and golden kiwi notes bursting out of the glass. Details of lemon curd, candied ginger peel, orange blossom and salted caramel mingle well with the smooth, supple frame. The flavors are generous and intense, but there's an equal delicacy and sense of finesse on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2034. From California.—M.W.

klein-constantiavin-de-constance-constantia Label
klein-constantiavin-de-constance-constantia Label
96 points | $NA / 500ml | 500 cases imported | Dessert
South Africa

A gorgeous dessert wine, with a fine, creamy nappe to the texture as it lightly coats the palate, carrying flavors of ripe apricot, passion fruit coulis and candied pink grapefruit peel, with an array of aromatic accents, including bergamot, orange blossoms, warm peach skin, candied ginger, cardamom and tea rose. Vibrant acidity creates a mouthwatering frame, while the panoply of aromas and flavors echo on the finish. Muscat de Frontignan. Drink now through 2039. From South Africa.—A.N.

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Wine Spectator's 100-Point Scale

95 - 100
Classic
80 - 84
Good
90 - 94
Outstanding
75 - 79
Mediocre
85 - 89
Very Good
50 - 74
Not Recommended

Our Editorial Team

Marvin R. Shanken Editor and Publisher

Bruce Sanderson Senior editor, New York

Joined Wine Spectator in 1993. Tasting beats: Burgundy, Piedmont, Tuscany

James Molesworth Senior editor and special projects director, New York

Joined Wine Spectator in 1997. Tasting beats: California Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, Bordeaux, Port

MaryAnn Worobiec Senior editor and bureau chief, Napa

Joined Wine Spectator in 1997. Tasting beats: California Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Australia, New Zealand

Alison Napjus Senior editor and tasting director, New York

Joined Wine Spectator in 2000. Tasting beats: Italy, Spain, Champagne, South Africa

Tim Fish Senior editor, Napa

Joined Wine Spectator in 2001. Tasting beats: California Zinfandel and Merlot, Oregon, Washington, U.S. sparkling wines

Aaron Romano Senior editor, Napa

Joined Wine Spectator in 2012. Tasting beats: Argentina and Chile

Kristen Bieler Senior Editor, New York

Joined Wine Spectator in 2021. Tasting beats: Rhône Valley and other France, Germany, Austria

Wine Spectator's 100-Point Scale

95 - 100
Classic
90 - 94
Outstanding
80 - 84
Good
75 - 79
Mediocre
85 - 89
Very Good
50 - 74
Not Recommended