Sign In/Subscribe

Cristaldi Scores

Producer
Producer
More
Country
Country
More
Vintage
Vintage
More

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2020

Crown Point

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is sourced entirely from Block 3A, located near the pond on the southern portion of the property. It’s aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak, followed by an additional year in bottle before release. Dark fruit and loamy earth anchor the nose, with leathery tannins, vivid energy, and a coiled tension that gives the wine verve. There’s plenty of chalky black cherry and blackberry fruit, supported by pronounced, expressive tannins that have an elliptical quality—broad yet focused. The finish is fantastic, layered with spice and a volcanic, crushed red rock minerality. So expressive, and built to evolve.

2021

Crown Point

Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The nose is elegant and expressive, with dark cassis, blackberry, and black cherry fruit layered with gorgeous tobacco spice, dried sage, thyme, and beautifully integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows crushed cocoa nib tannins—super fine and powdery—framing juicy dark berry fruit and refined graphite accents. A poised, polished expression with both power and finesse.

2021

Crown Point

Estate Selection

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. It opens with beautiful dark fruit, sagebrush, and perfumed rose petal florals, all building on the palate into a full-bodied expression with richness and density. The tannins are robust, fine-grained, and focused, leading to a bright, lifted finish marked by saline-acid tension.

2021

Crown Point

Relevant

Relevant is intentionally crafted as a more fruit-forward wine from the estate, says winemaker Simon Faury. It’s sourced from lower parts of the vineyard where loamy soils dominate and there’s less rock. Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 20 months. The nose is rich and dark-fruited, with notes of sage, graphite, and loamy earth, while pretty ironstone minerality lifts the aromatic profile. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers layers of cassis and black cherry, tobacco leaf, and cigar box, with beautifully supple, fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and polished, echoing with dark chocolate and earthy depth.

2021

Star Lane Vineyard

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Astral

This is a nicely structured wine that lands somewhere between Napa Valley and Bordeaux on the palate, with crunchy red-berry fruit, graphite minerality, and expressive dusty cedarwood. Fine-grained tannins linger, lifted by subtle notes of dark chocolate, ironstone, and a zesty spine of tingly acidity. It’s that vibrant acid tension that evokes Bordeaux, while the firm, integrated tannins nod to Napa—wrapped in the distinctive minerality and energy that define Happy Canyon.

2022

Crown Point

Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine sits comfortably in the stylistic pocket of the 2021 vintage but leans more fruit-forward on the palate, with supple, juicy fruit and expressive, robust tannins. Notes of cherry cola shine through, reflecting the warmth of the vintage, balanced by bright sage, spiced plum, and baking spices. The finish is long, and layered with dark cacao and plenty of structure.

2022

Crown Point

Estate Selection

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, with super ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit layered with integrated rose petal nuances and hints of rhubarb. All that perfumed character carries through to a lengthy finish. Crushed cacao nibs and saline-laced acidity add depth, while the finish is marked by impressive freshness and energy.

2022

Crown Point

Relevant

Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 18 months. The wine is incredibly approachable, with beautifully ripe, juicy fruit that delivers pure pleasure. Elegant plum spice notes weave through, supported by plenty of fine-grained, supple tannins that carry the medium- to full-bodied weight. It doesn’t have the robust tannic structure of the 2021, but it offers the same dark, ripe fruit purity and signature elegance of the estate—along with excellent length. Just open and enjoy now or anytime over the next 10 years.

2023

Crown Point

Estate White Wine

This is a bright, spicy, and aromatic bottling of Sauvignon Blanc, with complex and inviting notes of white flowers and crushed almonds. Crunchy acid tension and a chalky minerality carry through the palate into a lengthy finish.

2023

Dragonette

Sauvignon Blanc Grassini Family Vineyard

Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs and this Grassini Family Vineyard, situated inland enough so that a north-south mountain range blocks the Pacific coastal breezes, preventing them from cooling the canyons where this grows and as such the wine is generous in its creamy orchard fruit character, stunning lemon-lime oil purity and unbeleiveable mid-palate depth, like diving into the depths of a salty, briny, ocean, coming up with a handful of oysters. It has that kind of sea-like minerality with lemon blossom and lime zest and porached pear and apple fruit with subtle apple skin tannins. It’s a helluva Sauvingn Blanc. Meaty and laser focused.

2023

Dragonette

Sauvignon Blanc Grimm's Bluff Vineyard

Bracing and intense, this wine opens with a flash of saffron oil that’s quickly washed clean by a remarkable lime-scented rainstorm—cooling the old slate sidewalks of your neighborhood, enlivening the palate with scents and flavors of a wet pear or apple orchard, and settling in for the day on the mid-palate, carrying a cloud-like density—weighty yet airy—an enigma in and of itself. That acid tension is no illusion. It’s crystalline, bright, and perfectly balanced by a chalk-like minerality. It’s almost too complex to wrap your head around—so don’t. Just drink it. And by god, pair it with oysters or calamari.

2023

Dragonette

Sauvignon Blanc Vogelzang Vineyard

I’ve biked past this vineyard countless times, and to this day I marvel at the complexity of the wine that emerges from these vines. Surrounded by neighboring vineyards, Vegelzang’s vines are planted on undulating slopes, surrounded by a patchwork of trees, shrubs, and rock formations, and the site exudes a quiet energy—and all of it seems to pour into the glass. The 2023 vintage is something special: pure apple and apricot notes lead the way, joined by crunchy pear and bright sea grass—the kind that grows wild on oceanfront sand dunes. A deeply penetrating salinity evokes salted candied lemon peel, nuanced by lime blossom and crushed Marcona almonds. This is Sauvignon Blanc Paradiso. And whether or not you think you love Sauvignon Blanc, you’ll love this wine. You can’t help it.

2023

Future Perfect Wine

Grassini Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc SAUVI B “Breakfast Wine”

From Grassini Family Vineyards, the ‘SAUVI B’ Sauvignon Blanc playfully bills itself as “Breakfast Wine”—not because it tastes like a breakfast sandwich (it doesn’t), but because its brisk 12.8% alcohol and lip-smacking acidity could rival your morning espresso. While not actually recommended for sipping at sunrise, it’s a perfect companion for oysters, crisp salads, and yes, even a side of fries at lunch. Zesty and lemon-bright, it layers in crushed almond nuances, white peach, and delicate white flowers, all carried through a long, refreshing finish.

2024

Dragonette

Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon

Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs. This entry-level bottling serves as the precursor to their trio of single-vineyard SBs, offering a vivid preview of the house style. Sourced from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, it’s a dynamic wine driven by orchard and tropical fruit, zesty sea grass, and prairie herbs. A kiss of vanilla and creamy oak spice mingles with lime oil, saffron, and quince, all carried on a long finish laced with crushed almonds and fine sea salt.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2020

Producer

Name

This wine is sourced entirely from Block 3A, located near the pond on the southern portion of the property. It’s aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak, followed by an additional year in bottle before release. Dark fruit and loamy earth anchor the nose, with leathery tannins, vivid energy, and a coiled tension that gives the wine verve. There’s plenty of chalky black cherry and blackberry fruit, supported by pronounced, expressive tannins that have an elliptical quality—broad yet focused. The finish is fantastic, layered with spice and a volcanic, crushed red rock minerality. So expressive, and built to evolve.

2021

Producer

Name

The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The nose is elegant and expressive, with dark cassis, blackberry, and black cherry fruit layered with gorgeous tobacco spice, dried sage, thyme, and beautifully integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows crushed cocoa nib tannins—super fine and powdery—framing juicy dark berry fruit and refined graphite accents. A poised, polished expression with both power and finesse.

2021

Producer

Name

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. It opens with beautiful dark fruit, sagebrush, and perfumed rose petal florals, all building on the palate into a full-bodied expression with richness and density. The tannins are robust, fine-grained, and focused, leading to a bright, lifted finish marked by saline-acid tension.

2021

Producer

Name

Relevant is intentionally crafted as a more fruit-forward wine from the estate, says winemaker Simon Faury. It’s sourced from lower parts of the vineyard where loamy soils dominate and there’s less rock. Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 20 months. The nose is rich and dark-fruited, with notes of sage, graphite, and loamy earth, while pretty ironstone minerality lifts the aromatic profile. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers layers of cassis and black cherry, tobacco leaf, and cigar box, with beautifully supple, fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and polished, echoing with dark chocolate and earthy depth.

2021

Producer

Name

This is a nicely structured wine that lands somewhere between Napa Valley and Bordeaux on the palate, with crunchy red-berry fruit, graphite minerality, and expressive dusty cedarwood. Fine-grained tannins linger, lifted by subtle notes of dark chocolate, ironstone, and a zesty spine of tingly acidity. It’s that vibrant acid tension that evokes Bordeaux, while the firm, integrated tannins nod to Napa—wrapped in the distinctive minerality and energy that define Happy Canyon.

2022

Producer

Name

This wine sits comfortably in the stylistic pocket of the 2021 vintage but leans more fruit-forward on the palate, with supple, juicy fruit and expressive, robust tannins. Notes of cherry cola shine through, reflecting the warmth of the vintage, balanced by bright sage, spiced plum, and baking spices. The finish is long, and layered with dark cacao and plenty of structure.

2022

Producer

Name

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, with super ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit layered with integrated rose petal nuances and hints of rhubarb. All that perfumed character carries through to a lengthy finish. Crushed cacao nibs and saline-laced acidity add depth, while the finish is marked by impressive freshness and energy.

2022

Producer

Name

Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 18 months. The wine is incredibly approachable, with beautifully ripe, juicy fruit that delivers pure pleasure. Elegant plum spice notes weave through, supported by plenty of fine-grained, supple tannins that carry the medium- to full-bodied weight. It doesn’t have the robust tannic structure of the 2021, but it offers the same dark, ripe fruit purity and signature elegance of the estate—along with excellent length. Just open and enjoy now or anytime over the next 10 years.

2023

Producer

Name

This is a bright, spicy, and aromatic bottling of Sauvignon Blanc, with complex and inviting notes of white flowers and crushed almonds. Crunchy acid tension and a chalky minerality carry through the palate into a lengthy finish.

2023

Producer

Name

Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs and this Grassini Family Vineyard, situated inland enough so that a north-south mountain range blocks the Pacific coastal breezes, preventing them from cooling the canyons where this grows and as such the wine is generous in its creamy orchard fruit character, stunning lemon-lime oil purity and unbeleiveable mid-palate depth, like diving into the depths of a salty, briny, ocean, coming up with a handful of oysters. It has that kind of sea-like minerality with lemon blossom and lime zest and porached pear and apple fruit with subtle apple skin tannins. It’s a helluva Sauvingn Blanc. Meaty and laser focused.

2023

Producer

Name

Bracing and intense, this wine opens with a flash of saffron oil that’s quickly washed clean by a remarkable lime-scented rainstorm—cooling the old slate sidewalks of your neighborhood, enlivening the palate with scents and flavors of a wet pear or apple orchard, and settling in for the day on the mid-palate, carrying a cloud-like density—weighty yet airy—an enigma in and of itself. That acid tension is no illusion. It’s crystalline, bright, and perfectly balanced by a chalk-like minerality. It’s almost too complex to wrap your head around—so don’t. Just drink it. And by god, pair it with oysters or calamari.

2023

Producer

Name

I’ve biked past this vineyard countless times, and to this day I marvel at the complexity of the wine that emerges from these vines. Surrounded by neighboring vineyards, Vegelzang’s vines are planted on undulating slopes, surrounded by a patchwork of trees, shrubs, and rock formations, and the site exudes a quiet energy—and all of it seems to pour into the glass. The 2023 vintage is something special: pure apple and apricot notes lead the way, joined by crunchy pear and bright sea grass—the kind that grows wild on oceanfront sand dunes. A deeply penetrating salinity evokes salted candied lemon peel, nuanced by lime blossom and crushed Marcona almonds. This is Sauvignon Blanc Paradiso. And whether or not you think you love Sauvignon Blanc, you’ll love this wine. You can’t help it.

2023

Producer

Name

From Grassini Family Vineyards, the ‘SAUVI B’ Sauvignon Blanc playfully bills itself as “Breakfast Wine”—not because it tastes like a breakfast sandwich (it doesn’t), but because its brisk 12.8% alcohol and lip-smacking acidity could rival your morning espresso. While not actually recommended for sipping at sunrise, it’s a perfect companion for oysters, crisp salads, and yes, even a side of fries at lunch. Zesty and lemon-bright, it layers in crushed almond nuances, white peach, and delicate white flowers, all carried through a long, refreshing finish.

2024

Producer

Name

Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs. This entry-level bottling serves as the precursor to their trio of single-vineyard SBs, offering a vivid preview of the house style. Sourced from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, it’s a dynamic wine driven by orchard and tropical fruit, zesty sea grass, and prairie herbs. A kiss of vanilla and creamy oak spice mingles with lime oil, saffron, and quince, all carried on a long finish laced with crushed almonds and fine sea salt.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2020

2020 Crown Point Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Still Wine

$$$

2021

2021 Crown Point Cabernet Sauvignon

Still Wine

$$$

2021

2021 Crown Point Estate Selection

Still Wine

$$$

2021

2021 Crown Point Relevant

Still Wine

$$$

2021

2021 Star Lane Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Astral

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Crown Point Cabernet Sauvignon

Still Wine

$$$

2022

2022 Crown Point Estate Selection

Still Wine

$$$

2022

2022 Crown Point Relevant

Still Wine

$$$

2023

2023 Crown Point Estate White Wine

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Grassini Family Vineyard

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Vogelzang Vineyard

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Future Perfect Wine Grassini Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc SAUVI B “Breakfast Wine”

Still Wine

$

2024

2024 Dragonette Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon

Still Wine

$

MAILING LIST

The only email you want to open

  • Podcast Drops
  • New Reports
  • Latest Scores