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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2022

Portree Cellars

Buena Suerte Vineyard, Mourvèdre

The Buena Suerte Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, planted on Patricia and Amarillo loamy fine sands, supplies the Mourvèdre for this 2022 release. My favourite of the four Portree Cellars reds I sampled from the 2022 vintage, it is ripe and red-fruit driven, with nicely integrated cedarwood spice. Full-bodied, with round, supple tannins, it brims with juicy dark-berry fruit, loamy earth, dried sage, paprika and a fine sprinkling of cocoa powder on the long, saline finish. A wine to drink all night long — ideally paired with brisket, pulled pork or beer-can chicken rubbed with smoked paprika.

2022

Portree Cellars

Lahey Vineyards, Malbec

Malbec sourced from the 1,040-acre Lahey Vineyard in Portree Cellar’s hands is high-toned, floral-driven, with mixed berry fruit, cedar spices, and dried sage. Medium-bodied with sinewy tannins, a hint of fig paste layers itself under that mixed berry fruit character, and high-toned acidity keeps everything light and fresh on the finish.

2022

Portree Cellars

Pepper Jack Vineyard, Fiano

The Portree Cellars Fiano, sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, is a vibrant and expressive wine. It showcases aromas of citrus peel, lemon oil, and toasted hazelnuts, creating a compelling and layered profile.Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers a touch of white pepper spice and additional dried floral notes that carry through to the finish.

2022

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Touriga Nacional

Portree’s Touriga Nacional from the Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains leaps out of the glass with surprising florality, red berries, and tropical fruit like guava and passion fruit, with underpinnings of cinnamon spices and a building depth of dark cherry fruit and raspberry fruit, and exotic florals with high-toned acid tension on the finish. Not exactly what you’d expect from a red, and a little sharp on the finish, but if you’re making Sangria, I’d buy this by the case-load. Keep following this producer and see how the 2023 release turns out.

2022

Portree Cellars

Timmons Estate, Tempranillo

Sourced from Timmons Estate, an 18-acre vineyard in Lubbock County, Texas High Plains — purchased by several Texas wineries including Lost Draw Cellars and William Chris Vineyards — where vines are rooted in sandy-loam soils. Portree’s Tempranillo from this site opens with ripe red-berry fruit before segueing into an intensely savoury profile, with prairie grass, green olives and lavender. The juicy ruby-red fruit is framed by grippy acidity, finishing with rose-petal florals and grapefruit zest.

2022

Rivenburgh Wine

Canted County Vineyard Grenache

This is a full-flavored, meaty, and muscular Grenache showing real grit and tenacity. Bold notes of black olive, ripe cherry, and cherry cola mingle with wet slate minerality and robust tannins that build toward a towering finish. Sourced from Canted County Vineyard, this lot was originally destined for a blend, but as John Rivenburgh explains, the fruit was so compelling in 2022 that he decided to bottle it on its own.

2022

Ron Yates

Cabernet Sauvignon

Grown by Friesen Vineyards and aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, rich, and unmistakably Texan in style. “Everyone wants a Cab and a slab here in the Hill Country,” Ron Yates tells me. In the glass, it unfolds with aromas of blackberry, red currant, cassis, and cedarwood, accented by mild Indian spice. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers supple, satiny tannins and a dark-fruited, mineral-rich finish.

2022

Ron Yates

Friesen Blend

Grown by Friesen Vineyards and aged for 22 months in 45% new French oak, this full-bodied, robust red is deeply fruited and richly textured. Aromas of cedarwood, sage, and tobacco lead into a palate of dark cherry and strawberry layered with leather and loamy earth. The finish shows dried cherry and a lingering dusting of cocoa nib.

2022

Ron Yates

Nogalero Vineyards, Viognier

This Viognier from Ron Yates, sourced from the Nogalero Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, is aged for nine months in a combination of 15% new French oak and stainless steel. The result is a wine with a soft, medium-bodied richness, showcasing subtle orchard and stone fruit notes, complemented by a hint of pressed wildflowers.A lively thread of saline minerality runs through the palate, adding vibrancy and balance. The finish is long and gently spiced, making this Viognier refined and engaging.

2022

Ron Yates

Phillips Vineyard, Sanigovese

Ron Yates’ 2022 Sangiovese from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains offers vibrant, crunchy red currant fruits, complemented by notes of sagebrush and aromatic lime zest. Light- to medium-bodied, the wine is framed by super intense tannins that grip the palate, leading to a finish marked by a powerful limestone minerality.

2022

Siboney Cellars

Lahey Vineyards, Cabernet Franc

From Lahey Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, this is 100% Cabernet Franc aged in 30% new French oak. Just 250 cases made. Candied red-berry fruit and brown baking-spice notes lead, joined by hints of coriander and cumin that build across the medium-bodied palate. Smoky clove and a streak of blood-orange acidity (with just a touch of grapefruit pith) add lift and detail. Taut, firm tannins resolve nicely on the finish.

2022

Slate Theory

The Narcoleptic

Aged for 31 months in 34% new French oak and 66% neutral oak, this medium-bodied red is full-flavored, showing dark brambly berry fruit and subtle medium-toast oak nuances. Rich loamy earth and currant notes add depth, leading to a lasting finish marked by crushed stone minerality.

2022

Slate Theory Winery

Cabernet Franc

Aged for 20 months in 87% new French oak. Shows classic Cabernet Franc character, with high-toned dried herb and tart red berry fruit aromatics. Firm tannins frame the palate, leading to a focused, mineral-driven finish.

2022

Slate Theory Winery

Reserve Tempranillo

This Tempranillo is sourced fruit for now, but estate-grown vines are on the way. Fermented in smaller oak fermenters and then aged for 18 months in 58% new French oak. The wine shows tart red berry fruit with refined, smooth tannins and good acid grip that carries through the long finish. A touch of toasty oak and baking spices is layered throughout, but the wine remains fresh, focused, and inviting—an ideal match for barbecue.

2022

Slate Theory Winery

The Zealot

A blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Franc from Lahey Vineyards, aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak. Rich, toasty oak aromas are married to dark berry fruit, with espresso bean and toasted nut nuances building in the glass. Medium-bodied on the palate, with saline-laced tannins and a lengthy, toasty oak–infused finish.

2022

Tatum Cellars

Grenache

The Tatum Cellars 100% Grenache Rosé is a delightful and approachable wine, perfect for casual enjoyment. Light in body, it exudes delicate aromas and flavors of white strawberry, plum, underripe fig, and watermelon rind. Pair it with lighter fare, or enjoy its charms on its own.

2022

Texas Wanderer

Tempranillo

Alluring cinnamon and allspice-dusted red berry fruit lead the charge in this medium-bodied, fragrant, and tension-filled red. Strawberry notes, along with savory charcuterie nuances, add layers of complexity and depth. The wine balances vibrant fruit with rich, savory elements, creating a nuanced palate profile.

2022

Texas Wanderer

Texas Wanderer Red

Just six barrels of the Texas Wanderer Red were produced in this vintage, blending 61% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault, 14% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Petit Sirah all sourced in the Texas High Plains AVA. Cinnamon-dusted red-toned fruit and dark brown spicec notes lead to a medium-bodied palate with muscular tannins. Black olive notes stand out on the dry finish.

2022

Texas Wine Collective

Dry Muscat

This dry Muscat, crafted by Kim McPherson for the Texas Wine Collective, is delightly aromatic . It opens with inviting notes of chamomile tea, honeysuckle, and jasmine, creating a beautifully floral bouquet. These floral characteristics continue seamlessly on the medium-bodied palate, which is supported by a firm spine of acidity. Balanced with a chalky mineral intensity, the wine finishes long and floral-driven, with a subtle hint of emerging honeyed sweetness.

2022

Texas Wine Collective

Texas Wine Collective White Wine

Crafted by Kim McPherson, this aromatic blend consists of 80% Muscat, 10% Viognier, 5% Riesling, and 5% Trebbiano. The wine bursts with bright wildflower and honey aromas, complemented by delicate chamomile tea notes.Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers deep and lasting flavors of lemon oil and chamomile, with just a hint of sweetness on the finish. Elegant and refreshing, this wine is both delightful and incredibly crushable.

2022

Triple R Ranch

Blackbuck Merlot

The Blackbuck Reserve Merlot is a nice expression from the Texas High Plains, showcasing the grape’s potential in the region. It features a solid spine of crunchy acidity that enhances its freshness. The wine is framed by crunchy red apple skin notes, plums, and cherry fruit, all contributing to a Merlot that displays real power, intensity, and elegance.

2022

Wedding Oak

Petite Sirah

Sourced from the Diamonte Dos Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, this Petite Sirah opens with aromas of rose petal, violets, and crunchy red fruit. It is framed by burly tannins that provide a unique granularity, giving the wine an interesting texture that builds with intensity. With good concentration, it finishes with cool graphite and dried herb character. Pair this structured and flavorful wine with herb-encrusted pork loin.

2022

Wine for the People

Alta Loma Vineyard, Syrah

This Syrah from the Alta Loma Vineyard in Terry County offers enticing candied red berry fruits, currant jelly, and pastille notes on the nose. Medium-bodied, it features crunchy acidity and ripe, soaring tannins that provide structure. The wine resolves with sweet baking spices and savory clove.

2023

Becker Vineyards

Montepulciano

This blend of 95% Montepulciano with about 1.5% each of Tempranillo, Dolcetto, and Barbera was aged for 16 months in neutral French and American oak barrels. The wine is meaty and medium-bodied, offering dark chocolate–covered cherry fruit, loamy earth, violets, and maple-cured bacon notes. Soft, supple tannins frame a sweet-fruited finish laced with brown spice.

2023

Bingham Family Vineyards

Windmill Oaked White Wine

The 2023 Windmill from Bingham Family Vineyards is crafted entirely from Texas High Plains grapes and aged for six months in French oak. This intriguing wine begins with subtle stone and orchard fruit notes, accompanied by a delicate hint of nuttiness.On the palate, it evolves with a medium- to full-bodied presence, offering lush fruit character and a touch of sweetness. Its unique profile makes it a versatile choice, pairing beautifully with peach cobbler or enjoyed on its own with a good chill.

2023

Brennan Vineyards

Roussanne

The Brennan Vineyards 2023 Roussanne from the Texas High Plains is a fairly light-bodied white with subtle citrus and orchard fruit notes, intertwined with a nutty richness. On the palate, it offers a touch of saline minerality, which provides a refreshing balance. As the wine opens up with air, it builds in richness and depth, revealing more complexity. This Roussanne makes for a perfect early evening sipper, offering a blend of freshness and evolving flavors that make it a delightful, easy-drinking choice.

2023

Eden Hill

Albariño

This Albariño from the Texas High Plains is a spicy, zippy, and zingy white that bursts with crunchy orchard and citrus fruit flavors, along with delicate white flower notes and just a drizzle of honey. Creamier on the mid-palate, it shows a bit of richness from the fruit weight, which adds depth and roundness. The wine finishes with a nice, long jasmine floral note, leaving a refreshing and elegant impression.

2023

Elisa Christopher Wines

Amélie Red Wine Blend

This blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Malbec, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from three different vineyards in the Texas High Plains and aged for 18 months in 62% new French oak. It’s a soft, plush, medium- to full-bodied red that builds on classic Texas wild herb character—a heady mix of black tea, bay laurel, sagebrush, and scrubrush—all intertwined and framing juicy dark cherry and spiced plum fruit, with hints of pomegranate and blood orange zest. The wild herb and fruit notes linger beautifully on the finish. Pair it with barbecue slathered in rich, honey-mustard sauce, or serve slightly chilled alongside hard cheeses. Elisa Christopher Wines is owned by husband-and-wife duo Elisa and Chris, with Elisa also serving as the winemaker. Passionate about sparkling wine and their red wine program, they plan to begin planting their 43-acre estate in 2026.

2023

Elisa Christopher Wines

Méthode Traditionnelle Ultra Brut Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine

This 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine is sourced from Reddy Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Made in the traditional method, it was aged on the lees for 18 months prior to disgorging. Its luminous pink hue reveals lovely, pure aromas of red cherry, white peach, and nectarine. The mousse is frothy and vibrant, carrying great energy across the palate. Flavors of ripe cherry, apricot, raspberry, and even a hint of strawberry unfold with a striking saline-driven acidity that propels the mouthwatering finish. Elisa Christopher Wines is owned by husband-and-wife duo Elisa and Chris, with Elisa also serving as the winemaker. Passionate about sparkling wine and their red wine program, they plan to begin planting their 43-acre estate in 2026.

2023

Elisa Christopher Wines

Ultra Brut Grenache Méthode Champenoise

The 2023 Ultra Brut Grenache sparkles with notes of candied melon, fennel, and wild sage, creating an aromatic profile that is both unique and enticing. Its decadent, creamy mousse adds richness, while the palate reveals impressive focus, energy, and tension.Compared to the producer’s Trebbiano sparkling, this wine offers a more precise and dynamic expression, showcasing the finesse and vibrancy of Grenache in an ultra-brut style.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2021

Producer

Name

The “Raj Collection,” named after the family’s son, is a special label produced only in the best vintages. This vintage is a blend where Petite Verdot adds richness and depth to Merlot, which can be lighter in this region. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak, the wine is both structured and elegant. It features ample red and black currant character, with fig, blood orange, and high-toned notes of dried wild herbs, tobacco, leather, and a hint of white pepper. The palate is balanced by firm, taut, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. This is an excellent effort!

2021

Producer

Name

In 2015, Nikhila Narra planted UC Davis-certified Entav Tannat clones on her Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, complementing the Tablas Creek clones already grown there. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak, this wine stands out as one of the finest I tasted in Texas. Full-bodied and richly layered, it showcases a complex profile of red and black fruits, including currants and fig, intertwined with mocha spices and toasty cedarwood. These flavors build gracefully to a satisfying, harmonious, and balanced finish, with its exceptional depth and elegance.

2021

Producer

Name

From the Pepper Jack Vineyard, this Teroldego is full-bodied, deeply flavored, and unapologetically muscular. Inky dark fruit, black currant, saddle leather, and black olive pit dominate the nose and palate, underscored by savory notes of tobacco, leather, and olive tapenade. The tannins are powerful and structured, carrying the wine through a finish that lingers well over a minute. Talk about your ultimate barbecue wine.

2021

Producer

Name

The Artist Series “The Tree” from Llano Estacado leads with savory black olive, licorice, and tar notes. Medium-bodied, it is framed by intense tannins that will benefit from some additional aging to soften. The wine finishes long, with a distinct ironstone mineral quality.

2021

Producer

Name

The 2021 Lost Draw Alta Loma Vineyard Sangiovese, sourced from the Texas High Plains, is a well-crafted wine from a site planted by Ronny and Gale Burran, along with Ronnie and Bobbie Jo Floyd. The wine is well crafted, with crunchy red-toned fruit and rich baking spice notes, complemented by mineral-laced tannins that provide presence and depth. Those tannins build through the full-bodied finish, where hints of white pepper, charcuterie, and blood orange zest mingle.

2021

Producer

Name

The 2021 Meierstone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas High Plains offers alluring cherry and strawberry fruit notes, complemented by tobacco, leather, and vanilla aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals more of the same vibrant fruit, supported by a firm foundation of taut tannins that create tension and structure. The wine maintains freshness through its blood orange notes, leading to a finish tinged with a hint of orange zest, adding a refreshing and zesty element.

2021

Producer

Name

The 2021 “Wrecking Ball” is a full-bodied red blend of Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon, offering crunchy red-toned fruit and brown spice notes, with hints of molasses and dried herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it maintains good tension, finishing dry, with a robust backbone of crisp tannins that provide structure and depth.

2021

Producer

Name

The 2021 Sangiovese from Michael Ros Vineyard in the Texas High Plains bursts from the glass with red currant fruits, complemented by green tobacco, spices, sage, and underbrush aromas. The palate is framed by firm, taut, muscular tannins, leading to a mineral-rich finish.

2021

Producer

Name

This Tannat from Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains is incredibly savory, with bright herbaceous notes leaping out of the glass, reminiscent of jalapeño, dried sage, smoky thyme, and rosemary. On the medium-bodied palate, red currants abound, while the tannins are firm and tense, providing structure and depth. Give it some air to allow those tannins to soften a bit.

2021

Producer

Name

The Pedernales 2021 Tempranillo Reserve opens with dusty currant fruit and rich leather spices, accompanied by subtle loamy earth aromas. Full-bodied on entry, it is framed by very firm, structured tannins that provide a solid foundation for layers of red-toned fruits to emerge, along with fashionable sweet spice notes. The wine glides to a long, complex finish marked by prairie grass, clove, and extra dark cacao, showcasing both depth and sophistication.

2021

Producer

Name

The Portree Cellars Tannat from the Lahey Vineyard in the Texas High Plains offers a sappy, red-toned fruit character in a medium-bodied, grippy expression of Tannat. Unlike many of the richer, denser Tannats seen throughout Texas, this one leans slightly lighter and greener, with distinctive tobacco, black tea, and truffle notes on the dry finish. While it may not have the power and density of other Tannats, its freshness and unique profile make it a delightful choice. Serve it with a good chill alongside your favorite Texas BBQ.

2021

Producer

Name

When John Rivenburgh worked for Bending Branch, he pioneered the planting of Vermentino in Texas, establishing it in the High Plains around 2009. This 100% Vermentino is sourced from Canted County Vineyards, co-owned by the Morland and Holiday families. With approximately 1,000 acres under vine, this site has become a vital operation in the Texas wine scene. John champions Vermentino for its resilience in Texas’s climate, its suitability for machine harvesting—essential in the region—and its similarity to Sicilian whites, a personal favorite of his. Crafted similarly to his Picpoul Blanc, the grapes are pressed at the winery in Kerrville, fermented, and aged in neutral vessels for about six months before bottling. This Vermentino is lean, focused, and brimming with high acidity—a real “acid trip.” It delivers a bright squeeze of lemon-lime and lime zest, accented by white flowers, acacia, a hint of Marcona almonds, and Texas purple sage. The zippy, zingy acidity forms a solid foundation for the citrus-driven palate, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish with cool, wet granite character. All too easy to drink.

2021

Producer

Name

Malbec from the Challis Vineyard, planted on brown-dirt soils and farmed and owned by Mike West. Clones 9 and 10 were fermented and aged separately before being blended together. 500 cases produced. 100% Malbec. Dark berry fruit leads, supported by cocoa powder and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet supple tannins and a dry, focused finish.

2021

Producer

Name

The Spicewood Vineyards Red Wine Blend “Tandem” (a 50/50 blend of Carignan and Mourvèdre) is a fragrant wine that opens with delicate rose petal and violet notes, complemented by candied orange peel and red currant fruits. Medium-bodied, it features sappy tannins and layered flavors of agave nectar, toffee, and caramel, with subtle hints of dill.

2021

Producer

Name

Sourced from Dutton Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this well-built, polished Tempranillo from Spicewood presents sweet red-toned fruit and subtle spice character. Medium-bodied on the palate, salty mineral notes add complexity, leading to a toasty cedarwood finish. Balanced and refined, this wine offers a harmonious blend of fruit, spice, and structure.

2021

Producer

Name

Whatley Wines’ Erste Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas High Plains is bold and dark, with deep rose petal hues in the glass. Call it “the Cowboys’ rosé”—barrel fermented and aged for 8 months in oak, it’s robust, with grippy tannins that lend structure and grip amid its aromas of red berry fruit and subtle nutty undertones.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Red Wine

Still

$$$

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Tannat Entav Clone

Still

$$

2021

2021 Kerrville Hills Pepper Jack Vineyard Teroldego

-

$

2021

2021 Llano Estacado “The Tree” Tempranillo

Still

$$

2021

2021 Lost Draw Wines Alta Loma Vineyard, Sangiovese

Still

$

2021

2021 Meierstone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Still

$$

2021

2021 Meierstone Vineyards Wrecking Ball

Still

$$

2021

2021 Michael Ros Sangiovese

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 Michael Ros Tannat

Still

N/A

2021

2021 Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo Reserve

Still

N/A

2021

2021 Portree Cellars Lahey Vineyards, Tannat

Still

$

2021

2021 Rivenburgh Wine Canted County Vineyard, Vermentino

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 Siboney Cellars Challis Vineyard, Malbec

-

$

2021

2021 Spicewood Vineyards Tandem

Still

N/A

2021

2021 Spicewood Vineyards Tempranillo

Still

N/A

2021

2021 Whatley Wines Erste Rose

Still

N/A

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