Tabla de contenidos para April 30, 2026 en Wine Spectator

Italian wine prides itself on continuity—with vineyards and traditions passed down through generations. Yet one of the most compelling stories in Italian wine today is how a new generation is stepping forward, honoring that inheritance while reshaping it in thoughtful, often quietly radical ways. Our April cover story focuses on 12 producers who are deeply rooted in Italian wine but are unafraid to question assumptions or rethink how to communicate their wines to today’s drinkers. These vintners span the breadth of Italy, from the Alpine reaches of Alto Adige to the sunlit vineyards of Sicily, reflecting the country’s extraordinary regional diversity. While their backgrounds and approaches vary, what unites them is intention. Senior editors Alison Napjus and Bruce Sanderson, our lead tasters on wines from across the country, selected these…

Bordeaux Bargains Too often when we think about Bordeaux, expensive first-growths and highly coveted labels come to mind. Yet Bordeaux is a big region and there are dozens of excellent values to be found among the estates and appellations that fly under the radar. CHÂTEAU ST.-PIERRE St.-Julien 2023 (95, $50) Intense, defined; black currant, blackberry, boysenberry, graphite, cast iron CHÂTEAU LA VIEILLE CUR Fronsac 2023 (93, $35) Dark cherry, currant, violet, ink, tobacco leaf; refined, fresh CHÂTEAU CÔTE DE BALEAU St.-Emilion 2023 (92, $30) Fleshy, focused; cherry paste, raspberry pâte de fruit, red licorice, apple wood CHÂTEAU DE LA HUSTE Fronsac 2023 (92, $22) Focused, polished; black cherry, black currant, warm earth, black tea, charcoal CHÂTEAU VRAI CANON BOUCHÉ  Canon-Fronsac 2023 (92, $30) Restrained; mineral, tobacco, chestnut, red currant, black cherry CHÂTEAU CLAUD-BELLEVUE Castillon…

Since President Trump began his second term, it’s often been hard to keep up with the breakneck pace of developments. Let’s take one week in January as an example. Amid the chaos of his meetings in Davos, Switzerland, that week, along with the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis, you could be forgiven for missing that there were two fresh developments in the fight over tariffs. Here’s a quick recap. On Jan. 18, the president threatened 25% tariffs on eight European nations, including the U.K., France and Germany, unless the U.S. is allowed to purchase Greenland. Mind you, those European nations are already facing U.S. tariffs on wines they send to American consumers. The European Union leadership warned it might respond with retaliatory tariffs of up to €93 billion ($109…

Ilaria Felluga, 30, recalls childhood time spent in Friuli and at her family winery as “the happy moments”—summer vacations, harvests, Christmas and Easter holidays. Day-to-day life was in Liguria with her mother, Roberta, divorced from her father, Roberto Felluga, during Ilaria’s elementary school years. “So I grew up with [the family business], but not that much.” “There were other [paths]—economics or other studies,” Ilaria says she considered, with no pressure to join Marco Felluga winery and its neighboring Russiz Superiore estate. But ultimately she entered the University of Udine’s viticulture and enology school, a program focusing on both classroom and practical study. Part of the practical study mandated a stage at a winery already in partnership with the university. Although her father required an interview with the winery’s enologist first,…

When Fontodi was founded in 1968 by Dino Manetti, the family already owned a successful terracotta tile business. Dino’s sons split the responsibilities, with Marco running the centuries-old tile company while Giovanni took the helm at the newly formed wine estate. Now the third generation is making its mark, with Giovanni’s daughter Margherita, 33, and son Bernardo, 31, and Marco’s son Corso, 31, involved in the family wine business since 2018, 2020 and 2018, respectively. Bernardo and Corso both studied enology at the University of Florence; together, they are responsible for the wine production from harvest to bottle. Margherita studied business and holds a master’s degree in management. She runs the administrative side, sales, and welcomes visitors to the winery. Giovanni still oversees the viticulture. Bernardo and Corso have already…

FRANCE Bordeaux / Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 93 Domaine de l’A Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2023 | $50 An alluring red, with red tea– and anise-infused flavors of cassis and black cherry compote that move along steadily, flanked by lightly singed apple wood and sweet tobacco along the way. The fine-grained structure makes this sneakily long. Nicely done. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 2,500 cases made.—J.M. 92 Château La Croix Lartigue Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2023 | $35 There’s underlying succulence to this version’s red currant and raspberry fruit, while a steady, chalky spine drives through. Pretty violet and iris notes gild the gently toasty finish, letting the fruit play out prettily. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2033. 370 cases made, 30 cases imported.—J.M. 91 Château Claud-Bellevue Castillon…

Crafted by Place. Defined by Hospitality. FOR FIFTY YEARS, The Duckhorn Collection has stood at the center of American fine wine—rooted in vineyard integrity, generational stewardship, and the belief that exceptional wines begin with exceptional sites. Ours is a distinctly American story, shaped by landscape, craftsmanship, and a hospitality that is both timeless and modern. This philosophy comes fully to life in our new Napa Valley home on the Silverado Trail. Here, guests experience our portfolio through thoughtful tastings, seasonal pairings from our world-class culinary team, and an atmosphere defined by warmth, ease, and a remarkable sense of place. It is a setting that reflects the spirit of our founders—welcoming, refined, and deeply connected to the vineyards that shape our wines. The wineries featured in The Collection each carry forward our…

“When you think of charcuterie, salami is such a small part,” says Elias Cairo, coowner and lead salumist at Olympia Provisions in Portland, Oregon. There is a world of charcuterie beyond salami, including accessible options for experimenting at home that don’t require specialty equipment or ingredients. From rillettes to pâtés and fresh sausage, Cairo says the average at-home chef can easily tackle most basic charcuterie without worrying about making their guests sick (and without having to daringly dry a piece of moldcovered meat for several weeks). His best advice: Start simple. “Fermentation [like with salami] can be very technical. It’s like learning to ski; you’ve got to slowly work your way up to black diamond, but there are so many rewarding things to make leading up to that.” Cairo knows…

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 93 ARIANNA OCCHIPINTI Frappato Terre Siciliane 2023 $62 ITALY This elegant red is structured by refined, chalky tannins enmeshed in a swath of finely woven flavors, including warmed cherry and raspberry fruit. Long and fluid. COLLECTIBLE 96 CHÂTEAU PICHON BARON Pauillac 2023 $165 FRANCE Flavors of cassis, black-berry and black cherry preserves show lushness that belies the vintage character, with graphite girders for support running underneath. The finish sports intensity and drive. SMART BUY 91 CLOS APALTA Prelude Apalta 2023 $20 CHILE This opens with aromas of dried sage, anise and brambly berries, while hints of apple wood weave through the blackberry and plum core, which offers good density, lingering on the finish. BEST VALUE 89 KENDALL-JACKSON Chardonnay Mendocino County Appellation Series 2024 $15 CALIFORNIA A lip-smacking white, with…

CALIFORNIA Chardonnay 94 Garden Creek Chardonnay Alexander Valley Estate Clonal Selection 2021 | $80 Elegant and polished, this white shows a touch of maturity for a new release, with a sleek and seamless frame that’s both powerful and weightless. Offers wildflower honey, white peach and minerally crushed rock. Salted butter, toasted cardamom and shortbread notes emerge on the long, crescendoing finish. Drink now through 2032. 148 cases made.—M.W. 94 Relic Chardonnay Sonoma Coast The Sage 2023 | $75 Expressive and generous, offering a smooth, creamy mix of salted caramel–covered apple, grilled pineapple and crème brûlée flavors met with a vibrant, juicy thread of acidity, plus details of cardamom and nutmeg. Shows plenty of intensity on the long, luxurious finish. Drink now through 2038. 100 cases made.—M.W. 94 Testarossa Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Tondré…

Bruce Sanderson and I interviewed 20 industry leaders from 12 different wineries for this issue’s cover story on Italy’s next generation. Among many common themes, how the wine industry communicates wine is the topic that showed the greatest consensus, in my opinion. The basic message was clear: The culture around wine is too elitist. Novice wine drinkers feel like wine is a club to which they’ll never know enough to gain entry. Rather than try, many younger consumers are bypassing the club altogether and moving on to other options. And these days, there are many alternatives: cocktails, beer, cannabis products and/or embracing the sober movement. I see supporting evidence among my stepchildren, nieces and nephew, all in their 20s and none of whom regularly consume wine. In general, they lean…

Giovanni Gaja never imagined any other career. “I grew up looking at my parents working very hard every day, being in office ’til late and most of the time bringing work home, so the decision to join the family business came naturally,” he states. The youngest child of Lucia and Angelo Gaja, Giovanni, 33, entered the family business in 2018, following his sisters Gaia, who started at the winery in 2004, and Rossana, who joined in 2006. He studied economics and management in Milan and then gained sales experience during a year with Empire Wine Merchants in New York. Together, the siblings represent the fifth generation of the Gaja family to farm vineyards and make wine in Barbaresco and Barolo, Piedmont’s greatest wine regions. That said, the Gaja family owns…

With the eyes of the wine world waiting to see what Gen Z consumers will do, Villa Sandi owner Giancarlo Moretti Polegato goes straight to the source for intel. Moretti Polegato’s son, Leonardo, 28, is an elder Gen Z-er, while his sister, Diva, is a younger millennial at age 32. “Younger consumers are less interested in tradition as a concept and more interested in values,” says Leonardo. “Transparency, sustainability, moderation and authenticity matter deeply to them. Wine doesn’t need to be simplified, but it does need to be communicated more clearly and inclusively, focusing less on hierarchy and more on context, purpose and real-world relevance.” Diva has worked for the family winery since 2017, when she was based in London representing Villa Sandi at trade shows, tastings and master classes…

Giacomo Neri wasn’t looking for change, but his children were incredibly persuasive. “I knew for a long time the Giovanni Neri vineyard was a great one, but I was missing the courage,” recalls Giacomo. “Marianna, Giovanni and Gianlorenzo convinced me to buy it, and now I am proud of it and happy.” “In the beginning, [our father] was skeptical, but it’s a vineyard close to the road and I drive this road from Castelnuovo [dell’Abate] to Sant’Angelo [in Colle] about 200 times a year, so I know the area really well,” says Giovanni, 34, the eldest sibling. “When I heard it was for sale, I told my dad we have to buy this piece of land because it was incredible at almost 50 years old and a really unique position.”…

Miriam Lee Masciarelli was just 18 years old the first time she officially represented the family winery. Her father, winery founder Gianni Masciarelli, had died just three weeks earlier. “Dad was supposed to do a tasting with 120 people in Connecticut,” Miriam, now 39, recalls. Despite the family loss, the business demanded a Masciarelli presence, and so, she went. Over the past two decades, Miriam’s commitment to the winery reflects that early experience. “I grew up in the cellar. My dad [started] making wine at home. Villa Gemma was the first winery,” she says, referring to the wines produced at the original estate, which have become the winery’s flagship labels. “And when he introduced me to the winery, he always said you have to be able to do everything. Logistics,…

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. 97 Riecine Chianti Classico Gaiole Vigna Gittori Gran Selezione 2021 | $120 | ITALY | An absolutely stunning red, featuring ripe, juicy black cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Well-defined, this persists on the layered and fruitstained aftertaste, showing excellent harmony and length. Best from 2027 through 2045. 408 cases made, 100 cases imported.—B.S. 93 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2025 | $35 | NEW ZEALAND | Concentrated and fragrant, with lemongrass, lemon verbena and celery salt notes to complement the pineapple, mango and lemon curd flavors, backed by a touch of orange sherbet. Gains momentum on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 293,000 cases made,…

It’s no mystery that the wine industry has faced some trying times recently, but if we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that good things just “never go out of style.” And if you need to make something cool again, send in the Swifties. A bottle of Domaine de Terres Blanches Sancerre was briefly seen on a mixing table during the six-episode documentary series The End of an Era, streaming on Disney+. The series took an in-depth look at Swift’s Eras Tour, which spanned 149 shows in 51 cities on five continents and brought in more than $2 billion in box office sales alone. Cities hosting concerts saw a huge cash infusion into their economies. But back to the wine—that quick glimpse was enough to send Swifties whirling…

DUCKHORN VINEYARDS has shaped Napa Valley’s modern identity for half a century. Its approach unites estate rigor, an unbroken winemaking lineage, and a hospitality culture defined by genuine warmth—shaped early on by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn’s admiration for Bordeaux and their conviction that Merlot could thrive in Napa. From Merlot to Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet, the wines reflect intention, balance, and a respect for detail that begins in the vineyard and carries through every touchpoint of the guest experience. A House Built on Hospitality Dan and Margaret Duckhorn believed that great wine should be shared generously—a principle woven into the estate’s tasting culture from the beginning. Their early commitment to Merlot helped define Napa Valley’s reputation, and their philosophy continues to guide the estate: inviting, personal, and elevated without excess.…

Kosta Browne approaches Pinot Noir as a mosaic of singular sites, with each block, clone, and exposure vinified independently to preserve nuance. Native ferments and temperature-disciplined cellar work reveal the subtleties of soil, fog patterns, and coastal influence. The result is a portfolio defined by precision and depth: powerful yet balanced Pinots with luminous fruit, fine structure, and unmistakable site signatures. Many of these small-lot wines are made in highly limited quantities and largely allocated to mailing-list members and winery visitors. It is terroir translated through intent—a philosophy of listening closely and intervening sparingly to allow every vineyard to speak with clarity. Craft Without Compromise Every detail in Kosta Browne’s cellar is built around honoring delicacy. Micro-fermentations, careful extraction, and thoughtful élevage preserve the grape’s natural energy while refining texture…

A Vineyard-First Vision Takes Root 1976 | Duckhorn Vineyards is established in Napa Valley with an early, defining commitment to Merlot, setting a house style centered on balance and elegance at a time when Cabernet Sauvignon dominated much of the valley. Defining Cool-Climate California Chardonnay Early 1980s | Sonoma-Cutrer emerges as an early leader in Russian River Valley Chardonnay, establishing a Burgundianinfluenced model built on site specificity, crisp acidity, and balance, helping shape America’s modern love affair with fine Chardonnay. Mid-1980s–Today | THREE PALMS VINEYARD reveals itself early as a singular Merlot site—delivering grapes with exceptional structure and depth. Decades of dedication culminate in Duckhorn’s acquisition of the vineyard in 2015, securing long-term stewardship of America’s most important Merlot site. Goldeneye Founded in Anderson Valley 1996 | Duckhorn expands beyond Napa, establishing Goldeneye…

DUCKHORN VINEYARDS Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2022 94 Merlot Napa Valley Carneros 2022 93 Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2021 92 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2021 93 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2021 93 Merlot Napa Valley Rector Creek Vineyard 2020 91 Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2019 94 Merlot Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2019 93 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2019 93 Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2018 94 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2018 93 The Discussion Napa Valley 2017 94 GOLDENEYE Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Gowan Creek Vineyard 2022 92 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2021 92 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Gowan Creek Vineyard 2020 93 KOSTA BROWNE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Eola Springs Vineyard 2022 93 Chardonnay Russian River…