Cristaldi Scores

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This 100% Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in 36% new French oak barrels. Polished, poised, and profoundly expressive, it layers perfectly ripe black currant, muddled plum, and black cherry with remarkable precision. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet velvety tannins framing savory black fruit laced with sweet dried herbs and spearmint. Cigar box nuances drive the bone-dry finish, while a lift of blood orange acidity brings clarity and focus. It stands out among the most complex Cabernet Francs of my tasting in May 2025 in the Livermore Valley.

This GSM blend brings together Grenache from Fong Vineyard (farmed by Bill Johnson), Syrah from Clark Vineyard, and Mourvèdre from Raboli Vineyard. Aged for 15 months in neutral oak, the wine is beautifully perfumed with rose petals, violets, and bright cranberry and raspberry fruit. Warm baking spices emerge on the medium-bodied palate, where velvety tannins glide to a smooth, satisfying finish.

Made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise, this sparkling wine spent 5 months in tank before aging 18 months on the lees. It opens with bright citrus and orchard fruit layered with French pastry notes. The palate is full-bodied with a super creamy mousse and building richness, balanced by bright, crunchy acidity and a chalky minerality that carries through the long finish.
Muy Bueno is a ripe, full-throttle Zinfandel—and a clear favorite among newer clientele. It’s often the gateway red for those just getting into wine or who think they don’t like reds. Bold and juicy, it bursts with ripe red berry fruit, rich toffee spice, and high-toned rose petal florals. The finish is brambly and red-fruited, with just enough lift to keep it playful. It’s a fun, crowd-pleasing wine that shines when served slightly chilled—especially alongside BBQ.

Sourced from Pruett Vineyard, bottled unfiltered, and available exclusively through the 3 Steves wine club, this white is both expressive and refined. The nose bursts with notes of apricot, ripe peach, and yellow apple, accented by a stylish touch of butterscotch.The medium- to full-bodied palate is spicy and rich, yet maintains an elegant posture, with well-balanced weight and freshness. -JR
Sourced from the Grimes Vineyard, this Sangiovese sees less barrel aging than most of 3 Steves’ reds, aiming to capture a fresher, more vibrant take on the variety. The nose is lifted and inviting, with bright notes of tobacco and cherry. On the medium-bodied palate, spicy red fruit flavors mingle with a subtle hint of coconut, bringing charm and approachability. Delicious, affable, and easy to like. -JR

Tropical fruit notes lead the charge, with aromas of white peach and kiwi, followed by watermelon rind and strawberry. These flavors fuel a light- to medium-bodied palate, carried by a salty sea spray minerality on the finish. Bone-dry and super zesty.
Sourced from the Lemmons Vineyard and blended with 10% Merlot, this opulent red opens with dark blue fruits and a streak of minerality on the nose. The palate is plush and plummy, offering richness and generosity, yet anchored by just enough structure to keep it all in balance. Notes of minerals and savory herbs carry through a long finish. -JR

100% Cabernet Franc, aged for 20 months in French oak, this red leads with a bold nose of macerated cherries, black currants, and wet river stone aromatics. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with supple, chocolatey tannins that are both rich and inviting. Layers of dark berry fruit follow, along with savory wild herb nuances and a spicy finish. Balanced, complex, and thoroughly appealing.

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from the Nella Terra and Sunol Highlands Vineyards was barrel-fermented in American oak, then aged in stainless steel barrels. And wow—this is something else. Supercharged aromatics leap from the glass: toasty oak, slivered dried coconut, and sugar-dusted lemon bar meet lemon curd. On the palate, the wine shifts into sport mode, revealing refined apricot and white peach notes, lemon oil, and crunchy kumquat skin. Bold, burly, and full of personality, it’s highly recommended for camping trips, backyard BBQs, or anytime you want to pour something that feels profound without breaking the bank. Go for gold.
This 51% Sémillon / 49% Sauvignon Blanc blend, sourced from Bodegas Aguirre’s vineyard, was barrel-fermented in American oak and aged in stainless steel barrels. It’s not as bold as the pure Sauvignon Blanc, but offers similarly rich aromatics—think toasty oak, slivered coconut, butterscotch, and toffee, with maybe a hint of incense. On the palate, the wine becomes more refined, with lemon, lime, and Granny Smith apple acidity, plus a green apple skin grip. The finish is medium in length, with good tension and mineral drive.
100% Sauvignon Blanc from Nella Terra Vineyard, tucked into a southwestern valley that’s slightly cooler than most of the Livermore Valley AVA, fermented in stainless steel using two yeast strains. The aromatics build with mineral-scented intensity, layered with prairie grass, white peach, apricot, and sea spray. Light- to medium-bodied on the palate, with ripe orchard fruit supported by a saline-acid tension. Finishes with a spicy, almost jalapeño-like note that brings mouthwatering zip and drive.
A blend of 58% Sémillon and 42% Sauvignon Blanc, this estate-grown white hails from Block 20 along the Arroyo Mocho, just east of Concannon Blvd and South Livermore Ave. The site’s well-drained, gravelly silt loam—formed from ancient river sediments—provide good conditions for stressing these Bordeaux variety vines. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, the wine offers an appealing nose of melon, citrus peel, just-ripe tropical fruit, and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate shows lovely breadth and balance. A real crowd-pleaser. -JR
Sourced from Block 16 of the Concannon estate, this Chardonnay was crafted under the direction of winemaker Brett Fikse—who officially stepped into the role in 2023 after more than a decade working in the cellar and lab since 2012. Fermentations were split between barrel and stainless steel: the barrel lots underwent malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging for about 3 months, while the stainless steel lots did not. The components were blended after 9 months. The result is a vibrant, well-balanced Chardonnay with bright citrus fruit and rich, toasty caramel aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers silky baked apple and pear flavors, accented by a hint of candied ginger on the long, refreshing finish.
Made in the traditional method and aged 19 months on tirage, this sparkling wine is 100% Grüner Veltliner grown in Lemmons Vineyard, the northernmost site on Crane Ridge. The vineyard experiences constant breezes and is blanketed in coastal fog each morning. It shows true Grüner character, swirling from the glass with beautifully subtle citrus notes, apple and pear skin aromatics, and a hint of pineapple core adding richness. There’s plenty of oyster shell minerality, salted citrus peel, and the faintest touch of baking spice—all supported by a lively, frothy, and zesty mousse. A thoroughly enjoyable bubbly for anytime sipping.
The DeMayo Vineyard is a small, 4-acre Chardonnay site in the Crane Ridge area of the Livermore Valley, located just south of Tesla Road, ranging from about 1,000 feet down to 600 feet in elevation. Grapes are whole cluster picked, then fermented and aged for 8 months in 60% new French oak. This Chardonnay opens with a rich, toasty, and buttery nose, layered with orchard fruit, poached pears, vanilla accents, and baking spice. The palate is bright and energetic, with a lengthy finish that underscores the wine’s dynamic character.
If you find yourself gathered around a fire pit after hours, this Firepit Society Cabernet Franc is the bolder, richer, riper expression of “firepit” wine from the Darcie Kent team that you’ll want in your glass. They also make Firepit Red, which is more medium-bodied and agile, but this version is built for those deeper, more contemplative conversations. It’s confident in its seductive dark berry fruit, heady cocoa powder notes, dried rose petal florals, and fuller-bodied presence, with fantastic wild herb character supported by supple tannins. Juicy, long, and lingering, this is a crushable, easily enjoyed wine—with or without a firepit. Aged seven months in French oak and 100% estate-grown in Lemmons Vineyard.

This 100% stainless steel–fermented and –aged Cabernet Franc comes from the Lemmons Vineyard and represents a fresh, innovative approach. “We wanted to show that you can make a Cabernet Franc that comes to market within a year,” says Amanda Kent, co-owner of the winery. “That’s important—to convince growers and producers to plant more and make more Cabernet Franc.” Winemaker Julian Halasz bottled the wine in April following harvest, employing micro-oxygenation and the use of oak staves to enhance texture and balance. The result is a remarkably polished wine with grippy tannins, pure dark berry fruit, blue fruit accents, floral notes, and a hint of bay laurel. Designed for early release and wide accessibility—including supermarket shelves—this is a compelling example of how Livermore producers can offer youthful, cash-flow-friendly Cabernet Franc without sacrificing quality, while still reserving their estate bottlings for long-term aging.

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Ridout Vineyard was stainless steel–fermented and aged for three months, made entirely in a reductive style—so give it a little air. Once it opens up, citrus fruit and almond notes shine alongside white peach and apricot pit. The wine is bright, clean, and driven by focused acid tension that carries the day. It’s a wine that grows on you with each sip and is ideal as a food-friendly vinous companion.
A 100% Pinot Grigio, fermented in stainless steel, and sourced entirely from Garre Vineyard. It’s a weighty, juicy, full-throttle expression of the variety, with silky texture and plenty of ripe apricot, white peach, and pear to entice. Notes of dried wild herbs, mango, and slivered, salty Marcona almonds build in complexity, making this a richly layered and satisfying white.
Fermented in stainless steel and bottled just a few months later, this vibrant white wine is crafted by winemaker Brent Amos, with assistant winemaker Aaron Andrews (who began his journey as a busboy and worked his way up through the cellar). Bright and laser-focused, it shows crisp citrus character with notes of orange oil, sea spray minerality, and white floral aromatics woven throughout.
This is the Reserve bottling from the second pick of Verdelho grapes in 2023, crafted decisively in a Chardonnay style. Fermented in 100% new French oak with full malolactic conversion, it was aged for just a few months in barrel prior to bottling. Texturally, it’s broader and rounder than the Estate Reserve Verdelho—which is more bracing—yet this version remains vibrant and dynamic. Orchard fruit mingles with umami-rich notes of Parmesan rind and expressive baking spices. While richer, it’s by no means flabby; bright, focused acid tension keeps the wine fresh and balanced.
This second pick Verdelho was aged entirely in stainless steel and bottled just a few months later. Stylistically in line with the first-pick White Label, this bottling offers a touch more generosity on the palate. The mouthfeel is plumper and more supple, with silky orchard fruit layered with nuances of almonds and dried florals. A slightly rounder, more textural expression—while still retaining freshness and focus.
Assistant winemaker Aaron Andrews explains that in 2023, they approached Verdelho with a series of staggered picks and multiple fermentations using different yeasts. From just one block, they might run up to eight separate fermentations—later blending them to bottle. But in 2023, winemaker Brent Amos says each lot stood out so distinctly that they decided to bottle four different Verdelhos—a rare move for the portfolio. This bottling represents the Reserve expression of the first pick from the estate. Fermented in neutral barrels with no malolactic fermentation, it opens with notes of quince and white peach, alongside wild herb aromatics. On the palate, crisp, crunchy acid tension embraces a succulent, weighty mid-palate with silky textures. The wine shows excellent length and precision, with striking tension throughout.
A wine “Best in Show White” winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, this Verdelho is sourced from the first pick, fermented in stainless steel, and aged just a few months before bottling. Bright and laser-focused, it delivers citrus and orchard fruit layered with white flowers, and warmer undertones of straw and prairie grass. On the palate, it’s bracing and tightly wound, with nervy, electric acidity and a chalky mineral finish.
100% barrel-fermented, with roughly 30% new French oak and some Hungarian oak in the mix. This wine is super bright, with layers of lemon oil, toasty brioche, buttered croissant, and candied ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers a fantastic mouthfeel—rich, weighty citrus fruit balanced by bright, intense acid tension. Winemaker Mark Clarin notes that he inhibits some of the malolactic fermentation, allowing only about 70% to complete, which helps preserve freshness and drive. Fragrant baking spice and vanilla notes weave through the palate, and the finish lingers with terrific mineral intensity. A dynamic, beautifully structured white with serious depth and length.
The 2023 Murrieta’s Well 100% Sauvignon Blanc was aged sur lie for four months in 10% new and 90% neutral French oak barrels. Refined and balanced, it shows expressive chalky minerality and a rich mid-palate density that remains light on its feet, thanks to scintillating acid tension. Crisp and focused, with orchard fruit shining through on the lengthy finish, sipping this is ike biting into a crunchy, crisp Granny Smith apple or early-season pear. Quite the ideal companion on a hot summer day.
Sourced from the Sunol Highlands, this Sauvignon Blanc bursts with aromas of crisp apple, lemongrass, lemon, and subtle spice. The palate reflects the cooler influence of its site, delivering a mineral-driven texture and a downright perky, refreshing energy. -JR
Titled as a love letter to owner and winemaker Dane Stark’s wife, this 100% Grenache rosé opens with delicate notes of wild strawberry and rose petals. A pleasing hint of structural astringency—like plum skin—adds texture to the palate, which finishes with elegance and a refined, mineral-driven character. -JR
A perky, mineral-driven Chardonnay sourced from the San Francisco Bay area, this elegant sipper offers notes of white peach, lemon, and a mix of green and yellow apples. The mouthfeel is almost Chablis-like, marked by chalky minerality that gives way to vibrant flavors of ripe citrus fruit. Bright, clean, and refined—an excellent example of cool-climate California Chardonnay with finesse. -JR
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Reserved exclusively for the Page Mill wine club, this expressive Tempranillo strikes a perfect balance between poise and power. Aromas of tobacco, game, and dark cherry lead into a plummy, richly textured palate, lifted by a surprising streak of balanced freshness. A bold yet elegant red. -JR

This 100% Barbera comes from the Rodrigue Molyneaux estate and was aged in 16.5% new French oak, with the remainder in neutral barrels. It’s like the Italian countryside you’ve seen from your car window but never stepped out to explore—until now. Red berry fruit is interlaced with minty nuances and eucalyptus character, building with intensity on the medium-bodied palate. It’s framed by iron-scented minerality and salty, firm tannins with a subtle cherry wood polish. An intriguing and transportive wine from the Livermore Valley; you don’t have to go to Italy to *feel* like you’re there.

This 98% Cabernet Franc from Casa de Viñas in the Livermore Valley was aged in 17.5% new French oak, 25% third-use Hungarian oak, and 67.5% neutral barrels. It’s a more subtle, refined expression of the variety, with sagebrush nuances, black currant, plum, and accents of new wood cedar. Medium-bodied, it shows zesty blood orange acidity and emerging notes of pine, mint, and eucalyptus that add an unexpected—but very welcome—freshness.

The “Il Segreto” is a blend of 50.5% Sangiovese from Crackerbox Vineyard, along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera from the Rodrigue Molyneaux estate, aged in 22.5% new French oak (with nearly one-third aged in stainless steel). This is a delightfully juicy and pleasing red blend, with crunchy red fruit, graphite minerality, and a medium-bodied palate framed by apple skin tannins. It finishes long, with a sleek wet river stone character that adds tension and finesse.

The Big Daddy 100% Cabernet Franc from White Cat Vineyard in Livermore Valley is all Clone 5 (French 311), aged for 33 months in neutral and once-used French oak. And wow—is it ever a big daddy. Bold, bodacious, and bursting at the seams, with supple, juicy plum-like tannins that open to reveal ripe black currant, spiced plum, rich tobacco, cedar, and mocha. The long, spicy finish pops with a heady flash of smoked paprika before demanding another big sip.

This 100% Petite Sirah from Casa de Vinas Vineyard was aged for 33 months in neutral and once-used French and American oak. High-toned violets and spiced Santa Rosa plums mingle with dark chocolate on this medium- to full-bodied, juicy, and layered red.

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a group of six Livermore winemakers who collaborate on a blend project each year. While the framework remains consistent, each winemaker creates a totally unique blend from their own wines. Aged in neutral and once-used French and American oak, this is a beautifully built, tightly knit, expressive wine with excellent tension and tremendous length. Medium-bodied, it’s framed by finely textured, tobacco-scented tannins supporting dark plum, juicy black currant, and tobacco leaf notes. A streak of saline-acid tension gives the wine great levity. A compelling showcase of the integrity Cabernet Franc can achieve in Livermore Valley.

This Tempranillo from Sakura Vineyard was barrel-aged for 10 months in American oak. High-toned eucalyptus notes weave through red cherry and plum fruit, all building to a crescendo on the medium-bodied palate. A burst of perfectly ripe blood orange and grapefruit zest adds lift before gliding into a drying, tannic finish.

Fewer than 125 cases produced, this meticulously crafted wine reflects an uncompromising pursuit of quality. Each barrel from each lot is tasted blind—multiple times—before being selected for inclusion in the final assemblage. The 2021 blend is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon (Home Ranch Vineyard), 12% Merlot (Zayante Vineyard), and 3% Cabernet Franc (Ghielmetti Vineyard), all aged for 22 months in 100% French oak, 50% of which was new. The Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7 component was fermented in stainless steel, while the Merlot and Cabernet Franc underwent fermentation in 1.7-ton open-top fermenters—each vinified separately to preserve character and precision. Long considered one of Livermore Valley’s benchmark reds, Lineage continues to deliver on its reputation. The 2021 vintage offers a complex and layered nose of dried herbs, graphite, dark minerality, black licorice, and brooding black cherry and cassis. On the palate, deep, silky blackcurrant fruit is laced with cocoa and savory undertones, supported by a firm core of acidity and polished tannins. This is a wine of tension, balance, and elegance—with the structural integrity to age for decades. A powerful expression of place and a bold statement on what Livermore Valley is capable of at the highest level. -JR

Aged in a combination of new, second-, and third-use French oak barrels, this wine is named in honor of Charles Wetmore, California’s first agricultural commissioner and a key figure in the state’s viticultural legacy. The nose is complex and inviting, with notes of black olive, blackcurrant, cocoa, cedar, vanilla, and ripe plums. The medium- to full-bodied palate is spicy, soft, and seductive—an immensely tasty red that balances richness with approachability. -JR

This Cabernet Franc from Wente Vineyards was fermented in stainless steel tanks with pneumatage twice daily, then aged for 19 months in 60% new French oak and 40% used French oak barrels. The nose is irresistible—bursting with iron-scented minerality and a hint of charcuterie that frames juicy currant fruit. On entry, notes of crushed cocoa nibs unfold, supported by firm, sturdy tannins that build in intensity through the long, spicy, and complex finish. It beautifully showcases the noble, dark currant fruit and zesty acid freshness that Cabernet Franc can achieve in the Livermore Valley. A tremendous value.

Sourced from five distinct vineyards, the 2021 vintage of Wente’s top-shelf Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the benefits of a mild summer and extended growing season—yielding a layered, complex expression. The nose is a sensory cascade: black cherry, blackcurrant, cocoa powder, dried herbs, oak spice, licorice, and dark chocolate—almost too much to count. On the full-bodied palate, dark chocolate reemerges alongside rich black plum fruit, giving way to a sophisticated structure marked by polished tannins and impressive length. -JR

Winemaker Rhonda Wood has a special affection for Clone 30, which she believes imparts a velvety quality to her wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon is partially barrel fermented, with the remainder fermented in open-top bins, then aged for 30 months in 70% new French oak. It delivers a classic profile of blackberry, graphite, and bay leaf, layered with rich black currant fruit. The palate builds with intensity, supported by soaring, velvety tannins and a deep core of loamy earth that carries through the long, structured finish.

Fermented and aged for 17 months in 45% new French oak, this blend of Clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc comes entirely from the One Oak Vineyard. It’s intensely fragrant, with dusty mineral and rose stem aromatics, dried wild herbs, and pretty cedarwood spice.Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, the wine offers supple, plump tannins wrapped around layers of loamy earth, black currant, blackberry, black cherry, and spiced plum. Dark chocolate notes and a burst of blood orange acidity bring freshness and tension, making this an excellent food-friendly wine.

This wine club–exclusive Sangiovese opens with an earthy, savory nose layered with red fruits, dried orange peel, vanilla, and a touch of cherry liqueur. The medium- to full-bodied palate delivers sinewy, extracted red cherry fruit wrapped in bright, almost crunchy acidity. -JR

The 2022 Assemblage Red was fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak, with about 45% new barrels. This is a vibrant, expressive red blend with brambly red berry fruit, wild herb spices, and hints of vanilla and strawberry coulis. Medium-bodied, it shows firm, grippy tannins that resolve nicely, framed by subtle cocoa notes and a lift of blood orange. The texture builds beautifully on the palate—this is a wine that begs to be paired with a well-salted steak.

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