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Cristaldi Scores

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Wine

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Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2020

Bob Cabral Wines

cuvee Troubadour Pinot Noir

The 2020 is bold, offering ripe darkberry fruit, Hibiscus, dried fennel, and black licorice, layered over rich cherry fruit. Deeply concentrated mid-palate, with ultra-fine tannins framing a focused, acid-driven and mineral-scented finish. Vineyard sources include: Kanzler, Schell Estate, Little Boot, and Bush Crispo Vineyards. Roughly one-third is whole-cluster fermented with native yeast in open-top tanks, aged for 16 months in fine French oak. ($125) 13.8% alcohol.

2020

Bonaccorsi Wine Company

Larner Vineyard Syrah

This is a bright, red-fruited, tangy Syrah from Larner Vineyard—an expression that veers from the site’s typical profile but charms nonetheless. It offers up crunchy cherry and pomegranate fruit, layered with blood orange and a hint of tangerine zest. Featherweight tannins and subtle brown spice notes carry through the medium-length finish.

2020

Calais Winery

La Cuvée du Chěne Petit Verdot

Sourced from Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this wine was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak. “It’s a variety we love,” says Ben Calais, “and we have a lot of wine nerds that love it. Sure, it’s a touch greener than the rest of the wines we make—we could have let it hang longer and get riper, but we don’t want to make all the same wines.” He’s absolutely right. The wine shows captivating black and green tea notes, smoked paprika, and charcuterie on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied with maple-cured tannins and impressive length, it’s the kind of wine you could imagine sipping in a Japanese tea garden.

2020

Calais Winery

TX RG Red Wine

“RD” stands for Rive Droite, while Calais’ “RG” bottling refers to Rive Gauche—Ben Calais’ nod to the Right Bank and Left Bank of Bordeaux. Very refined, with lovely purity of cassis fruit and bright spearmint notes, layered with rich cocoa character and hints of blood orange. Ripe, supple tannins are framed by juicy blood orange acidity, all building toward a full-bodied finish. At just 12.9% alcohol, this is a remarkable effort, showing excellent Texas density balanced by vibrant tension and a long, spice-laden finish.

2020

Channing Daughters Winery

Lagrein

This Lagrein opens with a rich cocoa powder nose, alongside cassis, rose petals, and loamy earth—all of which carry through seamlessly to the palate. Grippy tannins frame a saline, mineral-driven finish. Dark, brooding, and expressive, it shows impressive depth and breadth, with well-balanced tension. Spicy and intense, yet remarkably light on its feet.

2020

Chateau LaFayette Reneau

Chateau LaFayette Reneau Cabernet Franc

Harvested from 40-year-old vines grown on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes, this wine was fermented on the skins, then pressed and aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels. Dark-fruited and structured, it delivers robust tannins and juicy acid tension that drive a spicy, medium-bodied finish.

2020

Chenoweth

Home Ranch Pinot Noir

On other labels, you’ll see Home Ranch listed as Chenoweth Ranch. This wine is pretty generous, sourced from vines planted on Goldridge soils with classic Pinot Noir clonal selections. It shows rich red fruit, a touch of mulberry, and Christmas-spice warmth, with plenty of Russian River Valley plushness. Dried violets, fig notes, and baked-cherry tones carry through on the finish, supported by firm tannins that build as the wine closes. CIRQ and CHEV also source fruit from this site.

2020

Chenoweth

Pinot Noir

This is the winery’s flagship wine from the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. Sourced from Home Ranch, Treehouse, and Bootlegger’s, it’s a fragrant Pinot that opens with dark-berry fruit, fig paste, brown baking spices, and a touch of underbrush. Crisp tannins support a juicy core, with plenty of warm spice character, a bit of black pepper, and perfumed rose petals that carry through the lengthy finish.

2020

Chenoweth

Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir

That’s quite a wine. It’s a robust, richly styled Pinot Noir with super-dark fruit, loamy earth, and an intense underbrush and deep-forest character, all threaded with an elegant sea-spray minerality. The wine is also incredibly floral, showing rose-petal lift alongside black-tea tannins and a distinct red-rock minerality that likely reflects the unique red soils of this site. I really love where this wine is in its life cycle — it has just the right balance of ripe fruit and savory nuance.

2020

Concannon Vineyard

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon from Estate Block 7 and 24% Cabernet Franc from Estate Block 15, aged for 19 months in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral barrels. This seductive red opens with a meaty, juicy, and spicy nose, accented by a hint of earthy funk. The rich mouthfeel is unapologetically bold, delivering sultry, tangy black and blue plum flavors. A perfect match for roast turkey or any richly flavored dish that welcomes a little attitude in the glass. -JR

2020

Concannon Vineyard

Reserve Petite Sirah, Nina's Cuvée

Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 19 months in puncheons, including 20% new French oak, this is a strikingly complex, mineral-driven red. Fragrant aromas of black fruit and violets are layered with black olive, leather, and a touch of incense. The palate is dense and structured, with powerful, fine-grained tannins and succulent, juicy blue fruit. A thread of wet slate minerality runs through the wine, lending tension and lift to its generous, deeply concentrated core.

2020

Concannon Vineyard

Reserve Zinfandel

Sourced from estate fruit and aged for 20 months in 60% neutral oak, this is a vibrant take on classic California Zinfandel. It delivers all the hallmarks—juicy, meaty, jammy, and peppery—while also offering a refreshing line of acidity that keeps it lifted. The medium- to fullbodied palate shines with bright red fruit. -JR

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.

2020

Darcie Kent Estate Winery

Choreography Red Wine

The 2020 vintage of this red is a refined and juicy wine, offering dark berry fruit layered with soft, plump tannins that give it a sense of roundness and fullness. Delicate floral notes and hints of bay laurel add aromatic lift on the medium- to full-bodied on the palate.

2020

Eden Hill

Aglianico

Eden Hill’s easy-drinking Agliancio offers vibrant red-toned fruit, with vanilla-scented aromas and ripe, robust tannins. It has a solid foundation of crunchy apple skin acidity, providing freshness and balance. Sweet spice and rose petal notes emerge on the finish.

2020

Eden Hill

Tempranillo Reserve

The Eden Hill Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Tempranillo from the Eden Hill Estate Vineyard, produced by Chris Hornbaker, is a richly layered, medium-bodied red. It opens with red-toned fruit aromas of strawberry, rhubarb, and cranberry, with an interesting note reminiscent of cotton candy—nostalgic and inviting, like childhood evenings at the county fair. Fine, firm tannins provide structure, and the finish is both sweetly spiced and bone dry. A truly fascinating Tempranillo from Texas!

2020

Element Winery

Cabernet Franc

2020 was a blockbuster vintage for the region—ripe, opulent, and particularly favorable for red wines, though the winery tragically lost much of its crop to frost. Thanks to expert farming by the team at Hermann J. Wiemer, this Cabernet Franc—sourced from Serenity Vineyard—was hand-picked, meticulously sorted, and fermented naturally before resting for 18 months in a single 600L neutral French oak puncheon. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a blockbuster in style: a bold and expressive wine, showing medium to full-bodied intensity with layers of dark berry fruit, cassis, and currant. A woodsy, earthy richness carries through on the palate, framed by towering, sappy tannins that structure the juicy kirsch and spice-laden core. Notes of green tobacco and bay laurel add complexity. Drink now or cellar for the next 3–5 years.

2020

Flat Creek Estate

Estate Montepulciano

The Flat Creek Montepulciano is a well-built, medium-bodied red, showcasing crunchy dark cherry fruit and brooding mulberry spices. It’s layered with notes of leather, tobacco, and robust tannins that build to a fuller and richer finish.

2020

Flat Creek Estate

Estate Syrah

This fragrant estate Syrah is a bold, muscular wine with broad-shouldered tannins and a nice balance of sweet spices, violets, and loamy earth. Medium-bodied, it unfolds with leather and tobacco nuances, complemented by tart, dusty, mineral-rich red fruit flavors. The finish is long and entertainingly spicy.

2020

FOXEN

Bien Nacido Vineyard, Block 8, Pinot Noir

Bill Wathen and Dick Doré have been making wine together since 1985, when they founded Foxen at Rancho Tinaquaic. Their grapes are SIP Certified and sustainably farmed. The 2020 Pinot Noir is a powerhouse—still tightly wound in 2025, with tremendous tension and broad-shouldered, sinewy tannins. Dark cherry fruit interlaces with incense and espresso bean aromas, while tangy tangerine peel and blood orange acidity bring freshness and lift. The finish is long and textured, with notes of dusty cocoa powder and cherry pit.

2020

French Connection Wines

La Connection Red Wine Blend

The La Connection is their take on a GSM blend, with a touch of Petite Sirah added for depth. Grapes are gently pressed and fermented over 10–12 days, then aged for 22 months in neutral French oak. The wine is highly fragrant, with dark berry fruit, high-toned dried herbs, and dried violets, alongside white pepper and black truffle character. The medium-bodied palate is framed by fine, medium tannins and bursts with juicy blood orange, black cherry, and spiced plum fruit that lingers through the long finish.

2020

Grapes of Roth by Wölffer Estate

Grapes of Roth by Wölffer Estate Merlot

The Grapes of Roth is Roman Roth’s personal label and now ranks among the premium offerings within the Wölffer Estate portfolio. This bottling is 92.5% Merlot from McCullough Vineyard in Cutchogue and 7.5% Cabernet Franc. A power-packed, dynamic, and complex expression of Merlot, it bursts with red berry fruit, spiced plum, and cedar-rich tannins that form a firm backbone to support the juicy mid-palate and exceptional length. It’s energetic and taut, with a vibrant spine of acidity—more linear and earth-driven than plush or silky, steering clear of the West Coast profile. Exceptionally food-friendly and built for the table. Aged in French oak barriques: one-third new, one-third one year old, and one-third two years old. Only 3,786 bottles produced.

2020

Heath Family Estate

The Individualist

“The Individualist” Red Wine from Grape Creek Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country is a dynamic blend of 84% Tannat, 9% Montepulciano, 7% Petite Sirah, and 4% Aglianico. Tannat is showing incredible potential in Texas, and may very well prove to be one of the state’s best red varieties over time. This wine offers alluring dark berry fruit notes that mingle beautifully with tobacco and sage. Fragrant rose petal aromas are interwoven throughout the full-bodied palate, which is framed by very fine, firm tannins that are powerful and assertive. The ripe tannins resolve through layers of black fruit, graphite, and espresso bean nuances.

2020

Inwood Estates Vineyards

Colos

100% Tempranillo from a 4.5-acre site in the Texas High Plains, farmed at just 2 clusters per vine, yielding 0.2 tons per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns for 7–10 days, then pressed to barrel and aged for 24 months in 50% new French oak. This is a wine you’ll want to open a day in advance, corked again, to let it settle. Aromatics are loaded with super dark berry and currant fruit, rich baking spices, and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with suave, velvet-textured tannins and deep dark berry concentration layered with dark chocolate. The tannins are pronounced and assertive at the pull of the cork but soften with aeration—another reason to decant or pre-open. Excellent length, tension, and energy, with a vibrant core of acid driving freshness.

2020

Inwood Estates Vineyards

Magnus

The Magnus, a blend of 52% Tempranillo and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, opens with high-toned red berry fruit and spice character, complemented by delicate notes of dried lilacs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it layers dried fig and apricot fruit flavors with smoky minerals, molasses, and the herbal essence of tarweed. The wine finishes long, with an excellent concentration of flavors and a firm spine of racy acidity that keeps everything balanced and in check, making it a structured and captivating red.

2020

Jenblossom Cellars

Petit Verdot

The Jenblossom Cellars 2020 Petit Verdot, sourced from a site in the Texas High Plains at 3,300 feet elevation, is one of the most satisfying and polished varietal Petit Verdot wines that I’ve tasted. Medium- to full-bodied, it presents a rich black fruit character, accented by pressed violets and espresso bean notes, with additional layers of dark cacao and dried rose petal on the lengthy finish. Extremely appealing, this wine has the structure and depth to carry an entire meal.

2020

Kerrville Hills Winery

Arie Y Sol (Air and Sun) Sangiovese

Sourced from 29-year-old vines at Newsom Vineyards, this 100% Brunello clone Sangioveseis aged for 26 months in a combination of 30% new American oak and neutral French and American barrels, and displays impressive complexity and balance. The wine opens with high-toned, bright cherry aromas, complemented by dried floral notes and hints of brown spices. Medium- to full-bodied, it features firm, taut, and grippy tannins, enriched by savory notes of charcuterie, tobacco, and leather. The finish is long and layered, with cherry pit and spiced plum adding depth.

2020

Lakewood Vineyards

Reserve Cabernet Franc

Fruit was sourced from Miles Vineyards, located 15 miles north of Lakewood on the west side of Seneca Lake. Fermented on the skins for 14 days with partial malolactic conversion, the wine was aged on moderate lees in 60-gallon French oak barrels for 24 months. Fragrant cherry fruit mingles with sandalwood nuances, a kiss of cinnamon, and smoky clove. Medium-bodied, with a spicy smoked paprika intensity and fine, firm tannins that carry notes of green tobacco and black tea. Saline-driven acidity fuels the juicy finish.

2020

Limestone Terrace

Dolcetto

A bright, red-fruited Dolcetto showing candied red berry flavors with crisp apple-skin tannins and a medium-bodied richness on the palate. This red is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak.

2020

Limestone Terrace

Estate Mourvedre

This is a medium-bodied yet muscular red-fruited wine kissed with wild herbs and brimming with character. Bright cherry and red currant notes mingle with hints of sun-dried thyme and sage, while firm, sappy tannins provide structure and grip. A subtle apple-skin texture and juicy, mouth-watering acidity carry the wine through to a clean, dry, and refreshingly precise finish. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression of Mourvèdre.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2019

Producer

Name

Wonderfully fragrant, fresh, and inviting, with notes of rose petal and incense layered over blackberry and blood orange. Medium-bodied on the palate, it carries a terrific thread of saline acidity, staying beautifully focused and juicy through a lengthy, brown-baking-spice finish. The fine tannins in Troubadour often show a black tea quality. Vineyard sources include: Kanzler, Schell Estate, Little Boot, and Bush Crispo Vineyards. Roughly one-third is whole-cluster fermented with native yeast in open-top tanks, aged for 16 months in fine French oak. ($125) 13.9% alcohol.

2019

Producer

Name

The Buffalo Roam Reserve is a savory red wine that combines 65% Syrah, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, and 6% Cabernet Franc. It offers very attractive green olive tapenade notes that mingle with red currants, dried herbs, and spices. Medium-bodied, it is framed by black tea tannins and complemented by tobacco, sage, and a hint of dried spearmint on its complex finish.

2019

Producer

Name

The Brennan Vineyards Tribute Red, created in honor of late winery founder Dr. J. Patrick Brennan, is an elegant and savory wine that offers a rich profile of currant fruits, tobacco spices, cedarwood, and tanned leather. The wine is further enhanced by delicate notes of dried rose petals and violets. Medium-bodied with expressive tannins, it shows layers of fig jam and currant jelly, intertwined with sagebrush, thyme, and black truffle nuances. A beautifully complex wine, it has both depth and refinement, making it a memorable tribute to its namesake.

2019

Producer

Name

This Reserve Petite Sirah from the Texas High Plains is a full-throttle, meaty red with ripe currant fruit, charcuterie, and dried strawberry, complemented by dried herb nuances of prairie grass and sage. Medium-bodied, it boasts black tea-scented tannins, along with layers of black truffle, loamy earth, and delicate pressed violets and hydrangea notes.

2019

Producer

Name

This is a wonderfully rich and meaty red with impressive depth of fruit, yet it never veers into cloying or overt sweetness. It doesn’t possess the sheer intensity of a Napa Petit Verdot, but instead offers brightness and vividness underscored by firm acidity. There’s real personality here, with wild, sauvage notes ranging from dried sage and bay leaf to rose stem. The finish is bold, dry, and tannic, chased by mouthwatering acidity.

2019

Producer

Name

After fermentation in open-top bins with daily punchdowns, this Malbec was aged for 19 months in American oak (21% new). Winemaker Larry Dino favors Pennsylvania oak for this wine, noting its signature bacon-like, meaty character—which is unmistakably present here. That savory quality mingles seamlessly with dark berry and blueberry fruit, supported by a streak of savory spice. The tannins are gritty and granular, adding texture and structure, yet the wine remains fresh and vibrant. A robust, distinctive Malbec that will soften with time in bottle.

2019

Producer

Name

Flat Creek Estate’s “Super Texan” is a fragrant, meaty red wine with a red-toned character. It offers a medium- to full-bodied palate, enriched with savory notes of truffle, underbrush, and green tobacco, finishing with a long, persistent limestone mineral thread.

2019

Producer

Name

This Petite Sirah comes from 2012 plantings at Newsom Vineyards on Indian Hill in the Texas High Plains. The vineyard, located about 40 miles west of most sites in the High Plains, sits near the New Mexico border and features unique soils—shallow sandy clay loam transitioning to chalky limestone, with the Petite Sirah blocks on a knoll of iridescent red sand over fractured limestone. Bin-fermented with whole berries and ample oxygen exposure, this wine moves away from the typical inky and heavy style of Petite Sirah. Instead, it offers a balanced and elegant profile of dark currants, black cherry, and high-toned blue fruits, accented by cedarwood notes. The palate is medium-bodied, with spiced plums, brandied Morello cherries, and currants, layered with savory tobacco and leather. The fine, black tea-like tannins are beautifully integrated, enhancing the wine’s structure and depth, and adding a sense of sophistication.

2019

Producer

Name

Aged for up to two years in a combination of American and French oak, this Bordeaux-inspired blend is limited to just 350 cases. Dense, dark, and savory, the nose is rich with black olive and concentrated black fruit. The palate follows through with deep, almost syrupy layers of silky black fruit, delivering impressive concentration and power despite being under 14% abv. For fans of bold reds, this is a powerhouse pick. -JR

2019

Producer

Name

This may be Rodrigue Molyneaux’s final vintage of this particular red as a standalone varietal bottling from Thatcher Bay Vineyard—a real pity, because there’s so much to like. Juicy, spicy, and savory, this Merlot offers hints of violets, wood spice, and licorice on the nose. The full-bodied palate is plush with plummy fruit, yet maintains terrific tension thanks to its vibrant spice, bright lift, and a surprising amount of structure. A compelling farewell, if indeed it is the last. -JR

2019

Producer

Name

Ron Yates’ 2019 Amalgamation bursts out of the glass with aromas of dried strawberry fruit and balsamic reduction, with cherry pit and fruit leather emerging on the medium-bodied palate. Velvety, fine-grained tannins are beautifully integrated, providing a smooth texture. The finish is long, with dark cherry-infused cacao notes and a subtle hint of orange zest.

2019

Producer

Name

This Pinot Noir spent 17 months on the lees in 50% new French oak, and as of May 2025, it’s showing beautifully—squarely in its prime. Fragrant notes of black tea and Earl Grey mingle seamlessly with ripe cherry, dusty minerality, and undertones of tobacco and bay laurel. The tannins are sweet-sappy and glide effortlessly across the palate, resolving into a savory, mineral-laced finish accented by pink Himalayan sea salt and a lift of blood orange zest.

2019

Producer

Name

The Storm Breaker from Siboney Cellars is sourced from Newsom Vineyards and is 100% Merlot, aged in 20% new French oak. Just 125 cases were made. This was the last wine I tasted, and I was blown away by it. It’s spectacular—full of plummy and cherry fruit with bright, warming spices. Medium-bodied, it shows loamy earth, cassis, and currant, with fine, velvety tannins. Really quite delicious, and showing beautifully at this stage. Siboney Cellars was founded by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona, with Barbara enrolled in the viticulture programme at Texas Tech University and Miguel raised in Texas with deep roots in both wine and family heritage. The two met in 2007, spent time in France honing their craft, and launched Siboney in earnest with their first wine vintage in 2017. Located on a limestone-terraced site in the Texas Hill Country, they have 52 acres with just 4 acres planted (so far). From the outset their goal has been to test and champion this under-explored terroir, combining serious vineyard work with a spirited, personal vision for Texas wine.

2019

Producer

Name

From the 2022 vintage, this Cabernet Franc is a bright, spicy, medium-bodied red that offers notes of dried rose petals, crisp, crunchy acidity, and firm tannins. It’s quite expressive in its herbaceousness, which is well integrated and layered throughout. Balancing vibrancy with structure, this well-rounded red will appeal to fans of the variety.

2019

Producer

Name

The Terra Trails Winery Buena Suerte Vineyards Sangiovese from the Texas High Plains AVA presents a vibrant profile with crunchy, tart red cranberry and strawberry fruit, all laced with subtle vanilla and toffee notes. Medium-bodied, it features firm, taut tannins that are mineral-laced, adding structure and depth.

2019

Producer

Name

From Mark Snyder’s Red Hook Winery comes this Reserve red—a full-bodied, bold expression of Cabernet Franc crafted by Christopher Nicolson with consulting by Napa Valley luminary Robert Foley. Dark black and blue fruits lead the charge, framed by rich loamy earth, savory black olive, and dried violet notes. The tannins are textured and powerful, reminiscent of cinnamon-dusted cocoa powder, resolving in an earthy, lingering finish.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2021

2021 JMC Cellars The Blind Pig

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Kaena Wine Ali’i Grenache

Still Wine

N/A

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Malbec

Still

$$

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 Landmark Vineyards Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Barbera

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Red Wine Coccineous

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Tempranillo

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Lavender Oak Vineyard & Winery Estate Grown Pinot Noir

Still Wine

N/A

2021

2021 Lindquist Family Wines Bien Nacido Vineyard Z Block “The Original Hillside” Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2021

2021 Llano Estacado “The Tree” Tempranillo

Still

$$

2021

2021 Llano Estacado Kubacak Vineyards, Sangiovese Classico

Still

$$

2021

2021 Llano Estacado Le Claret Classique Red Blend

Still

$$

2021

2021 Lone Star Wines Drinkin’ Buddy Red Wine

Still

N/A

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