A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE BUYING GUIDE FOR THE SEPT. 30, 2023 ISSUE, FEATURING ALL OF THE SPECTATOR SELECTIONS

Wine Spectator’s September 30 issue features the Martinelli family’s five generations of winemaking in California. Plus, tasting reports on California Pinot Noir and Austria.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

89

Quartz Reef Blanc de Blancs Central Otago Bendigo Estate 2013

Robust, with toast and ginger notes that give way to citrus and pear flavors. Spice and citrus peel accents linger on the creamy body. Drink now. --MW

85

Totara Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016

Crisp, green notes and herbal shadings add some intrigue to the core of plum and cherry flavors, with matcha detail on the finish. Drink now. --MW

87

Chateau Los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon Cachapoal Valley Vieilles Vignes 2016

Pomegranate, dark cherry and rooibos tea flavors dominate this savory red. Dried meat and spice notes show on the finish. Drink now. --KM

COLLECTIBLES

88

Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara 2017

Crisp, with a lemon-lime core and plenty of fresh green apple flavors on a light body. Drink now. --MW

88

Dance Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2016

Crisp and lively, with easygoing apple and tropical fruit flavors. Drink now through 2020. --TF

83

The Crusher Sauvignon Blanc California 2017

Pear, citrus and yellow apple notes are softly juicy in this white. Drink now. --MW

SMART BUYS

88

Koha Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016

Tangy cherry, black tea and wild strawberry flavors are firm and spicy, showing off forest floor notes on the finish. Drink now through 2028. --MW

83

Clouston & Co Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017

Decidedly herbal, with tangy green edges to the core of cherry and berry flavors, firming up on the cedary finish. Drink now. --MW

88

Pa Road Pinot Noir Marlborough 2016

Herb, toast and rye bread notes are detailed and velvety in this red, providing an aromatic backdrop for wild strawberry and currant flavors. Harmonious and spicy on the finish. Drink now through 2028. --MW

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ABOUT THE SPECTATOR SELECTIONS

Highly Recommended: The issue’s most impressive wines. Includes top-scorers and wines that represent optimal purchases based on their combination of score, price and availability.

Collectibles: Wines that will improve most from additional bottle age and that show the greatest potential to gain in value.

Smart Buys: Wines that deliver fine character at affordable prices and that are broadly available.

Best Values: Wines with solid scores, modest prices and wide distribution.

Initials at the end of each tasting note indicate the Wine Spectator editor who blind-tasted and scored the wine and wrote the review. The tasters are as follows: Bruce Sanderson (B.S.); James Molesworth (J.M.); Alison Napjus (A.N.); MaryAnn Worobiec (M.W.); Tim Fish (T.F.); Aaron Romano (A.R.); Kristen Bieler (K.B.).

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