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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2015

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 15 00 RCV MER

The ‘B 15 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 26 months. It delivers rich black currant fruit and warm baking spices, with notes of spiced plum and plump, satiny tannins that glide into a long, balanced finish with just the right amount of tension.

2016

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 16 00 RCV MER

The ‘B 16 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 38 months. This wine shows greater density and richness than previous vintages, with deep currant fruit beginning to take on a Port- or Sherry-like quality. A rich nuttiness is emerging, along with a rum-raisin character that adds complexity and a sense of coiled-up energy.

2017

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 17 00 RCV MER

The ‘B 17 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot, all ENTAV 181 clone. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 52 months. This wine smells and drinks like an aged Right Bank Bordeaux, with aromas of loamy earth, sooty minerals, spiced plums, and currant fruit layered over a subtle green tobacco leaf note. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with firm, velvet-textured tannins, cigar box nuances, and underbrush emerging with time. Balanced tension and mouthwatering freshness carry the wine to a long, savory finish.

2018

Retzlaff Vineyards

Merlot

Structured and savory, this Merlot opens with aromas of black olive, dark plum, and a deep, brooding complexity. The broad, full-bodied palate begins with rich plum fruit and reveals impressive tannic grip. The finish is long, earthy. -JR

2019

Rodrigue Molyneaux

Merlot

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

Siboney Cellars

Storm Breaker, Newsome Vineyards Merlot

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.

2021

Calais Winery

La Cuvée du Ruisseau

Sourced from two sites—Family Vineyards and Bolen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains—the 2021 vintage saw reduced Merlot yields due to a spring cold spell. Aged for 32 months in 80% once-used and 20% new French oak, this wine offers striking aromatic richness and impressive mid-palate breadth. Supple-textured tannins frame spiced plum and black raspberry flavors, layered with notes of bright sagebrush, green tobacco, and cola nut that carry through a long, expressive finish.

2022

Blackmon

Merlot

The Merlot from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA is cold-soaked in foudres, then fermented, with winemaker Tony Offill using only the free-run juice, aged for 16 months in 20% new French oak. Aromas of incense and spiced plum lead into a palate of supple, juicy dark berry fruit framed by velvet-textured, firm tannins. There’s excellent mid-palate depth and plenty of tension to carry the day. These are among the most food-friendly wines I have tasted from Texas, all underpinned by vibrant, mouthwatering acidity.

2023

Pruett

Akin Vineyards Homestead Merlot

Aged for 16 months in twice-used French oak, this limited 25-case Merlot hails from Akin Vineyards in the Sierra Foothills. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression, offering crystalline red berry fruit—cranberry and raspberry—layered with subtle incense, brown spices, and flamed orange peel. Floral notes and wet river stone minerality add lift and elegance, while feathery-fine tannins provide gentle structure.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2015

Producer

Name

The ‘B 15 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 26 months. It delivers rich black currant fruit and warm baking spices, with notes of spiced plum and plump, satiny tannins that glide into a long, balanced finish with just the right amount of tension.

2016

Producer

Name

The ‘B 16 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 38 months. This wine shows greater density and richness than previous vintages, with deep currant fruit beginning to take on a Port- or Sherry-like quality. A rich nuttiness is emerging, along with a rum-raisin character that adds complexity and a sense of coiled-up energy.

2017

Producer

Name

The ‘B 17 00 RCV MER’ is 100% Merlot, all ENTAV 181 clone. Fermented in picking bins, then racked into stainless steel tanks to settle before being barreled down for 52 months. This wine smells and drinks like an aged Right Bank Bordeaux, with aromas of loamy earth, sooty minerals, spiced plums, and currant fruit layered over a subtle green tobacco leaf note. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with firm, velvet-textured tannins, cigar box nuances, and underbrush emerging with time. Balanced tension and mouthwatering freshness carry the wine to a long, savory finish.

2018

Producer

Name

Structured and savory, this Merlot opens with aromas of black olive, dark plum, and a deep, brooding complexity. The broad, full-bodied palate begins with rich plum fruit and reveals impressive tannic grip. The finish is long, earthy. -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

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.

2021

Producer

Name

Sourced from two sites—Family Vineyards and Bolen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains—the 2021 vintage saw reduced Merlot yields due to a spring cold spell. Aged for 32 months in 80% once-used and 20% new French oak, this wine offers striking aromatic richness and impressive mid-palate breadth. Supple-textured tannins frame spiced plum and black raspberry flavors, layered with notes of bright sagebrush, green tobacco, and cola nut that carry through a long, expressive finish.

2022

Producer

Name

The Merlot from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA is cold-soaked in foudres, then fermented, with winemaker Tony Offill using only the free-run juice, aged for 16 months in 20% new French oak. Aromas of incense and spiced plum lead into a palate of supple, juicy dark berry fruit framed by velvet-textured, firm tannins. There’s excellent mid-palate depth and plenty of tension to carry the day. These are among the most food-friendly wines I have tasted from Texas, all underpinned by vibrant, mouthwatering acidity.

2023

Producer

Name

Aged for 16 months in twice-used French oak, this limited 25-case Merlot hails from Akin Vineyards in the Sierra Foothills. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression, offering crystalline red berry fruit—cranberry and raspberry—layered with subtle incense, brown spices, and flamed orange peel. Floral notes and wet river stone minerality add lift and elegance, while feathery-fine tannins provide gentle structure.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2015

2015 Robert Clay Vineyards B 15 00 RCV MER

Still Wine

$$$$

2016

2016 Robert Clay Vineyards B 16 00 RCV MER

Still Wine

$$$$

2017

2017 Robert Clay Vineyards B 17 00 RCV MER

Still Wine

$$$$

2018

2018 Retzlaff Vineyards Merlot

Still Wine

$

2019

2019 Rodrigue Molyneaux Merlot

Still Wine

$

2019

2019 Siboney Cellars Storm Breaker, Newsome Vineyards Merlot

-

$$

2021

2021 Calais Winery La Cuvée du Ruisseau

-

$$

2022

2022 Blackmon Merlot

Still

N/A

2023

2023 Pruett Akin Vineyards Homestead Merlot

Still Wine

N/A

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