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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2001

Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Name

Absolutely stunning. This wine strikes a remarkable balance of richness and freshness, layered with savoury depth. Super-fine tannins carry notes of leather, tobacco, and black tea—think Earl Grey—wrapped around cassis and blackcurrant fruit. It’s long, fresh, and vibrant from the pull of the cork, evolving beautifully with air to reveal sumptuous waves of rich earth, spice, smoked paprika, and undeniable elegance.

2017

Rivenburgh Wine

Red Blend

This red blend, sourced from the 140-acre Narra Vineyard estate in the Texas High Plains near Brownfield, combines Malbec and Merlot aged for 36 months in all-neutral barrels, and showcases depth and refinement.The Malbec contributes a savory character, while the Merlot brings bright fruit and floral notes. Layers of sagebrush, Texas prairie grass, figs, and spiced plums define the aromatic profile, and with some air, intriguing black tea nuances emerge. The tannins, too, carry a black tea-like quality, seamlessly integrated and adding to the wine’s polished texture. A complex and balanced red.

2018

Kalasi Cellars

Kanchi Red Wine

This Bordeaux blend features Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 685, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Carménère, aged for an impressive 48 months in neutral French oak. Named “Kanchi,” after a village in South India renowned for its wedding saris, the name evokes a sense of rich history and elegance—qualities reflected in the wine itself. The wine is both elegant and intense, offering high-toned red berry fruit and warm spices. Full-bodied, it boasts plump, velvety tannins with layers of mocha, brown spices like cardamom and coriander, and intriguing notes of grapefruit zest and orange peel. The finish is long and deeply satisfying, marking this wine as a standout.

2019

Becker Vineyards

Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2019 Becker Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, sourced from the Wilmeth Vineyard (also known as Diamante Doble) in the Texas High Plains, is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 1.6% Petit Verdot, and 1.4% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 30 months in a combination of 70% American oak (35% new) and 30% French oak (20% new), this wine is juicy, approachable, and easy to drink. It features satiny, silky tannins and rich dark berry flavors, accented by ample brown baking spices. The palate carries a welcome lean elegance, leading to a long finish with fantastic slate and iron minerality and a touch of wild herbs. During the tasting, I also sampled a 2016 vintage, which showed remarkable evolution—fuller, richer, and with more intense tannins. Its truffle notes and loamy earth character were reminiscent of aged California Cabernet or Bordeaux Supérieur. Both vintages exemplify the vineyard’s exceptional potential and craftsmanship.

2019

Bingham Family Vineyards

Merlot

This super savory, medium-bodied Merlot opens with crunchy cherry and dark berry fruits, complemented by underbrush and pastille notes. As the wine develops, it reveals layers of blue fruit jam and a touch of tobacco leaf. The finish is long and satisfying.

2021

Elisa Christopher Wines

Paka Family Vineyards, Merlot

Elisa Christopher Wines’ 100% Merlot from the Texas High Plains is aromatic and spicy on the nose, with intriguing hints of jalapeño, black currants, and spiced plums. Medium-bodied, it offers juicy upfront fruit character, framed by vibrant blue fruit compote and black cherry accents. The wine is further layered with notes of pie spices, leather, and a touch of white pepper.

2021

JMC Cellars

LVVC Red Blend

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a collaboration of six Livermore winemakers who come together each year to craft a unique blend, with each contributing their own interpretation using wines from their cellars. In this expression, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec to create a rich, harmonious red. The nose is peppery and floral, with savory blackcurrant aromas, while the palate delivers bold flavor with impressive balance—powerful, polished, and delicious. -JR

2021

JMC Cellars

The Blind Pig

Cofermented from all five traditional Bordeaux varieties, this blend comes from a field planting of less than an acre in the Davis Vineyard. Intensely savory and deeply expressive, it opens with bold aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, dried herbs, oak, and a touch of vanilla extract. The palate is supple and rich, continuing the savory thread with ripe, plummy dark fruit, impressive concentration, and a lift of blood orange acidity. -JR

2021

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Red Wine

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!

2022

Heath Vineyards

Absolution Red Blend

A heady mix of red and black fruit unfolds with rich cedarwood spice, building through cocoa powder tannins and crunchy red fruit accented by warm Indian spices on the mid-palate, carrying through to the full-bodied finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

2022

Millbrook Winery

Cabernet Franc

Here’s a Cabernet Franc with a splash of Merlot, sourced from Long Island growers and aged 15 months in a mix of Burgundy and Bordeaux barrels. The nose opens with rich cherry and forest berries, layered with brown spices, leather, tobacco, and licorice. The medium-bodied palate features spiced plum and loamy earth, finishing with floral lift and mineral nuance

2022

Roblar Winery & Vineyards

Big Ben, Estate Merlot (Gold Collection)

A bold, dark-fruited Merlot that pulls no punches—bursting with kirsch, ground espresso, and cedarwood aromas, along with a subtle walnut husk character. The palate is dense and brooding, with ripe currant fruit wrapped in muscular tannins that carry through to a firm, structured finish. This is a hefty, full-throttle expression of Merlot—decidedly not for the faint of heart.

2023

Firestone Vineyard

Estate Merlot

Everything you’ve come to expect in a well-made Merlot: plush, dark plum fruit layered with warm baking spices and fragrant cedarwood, with a deep, almost mahogany-like richness. Full-bodied and juicy on the palate, it’s underpinned by unusually firm, crisp tannins—adding unexpected structure and personality. The wine’s depth is matched by a lifted finish scented with violets and dried herbs

2023

Lavender Oak Vineyard & Winery

Estate Rosé

This estate-grown rosé, made from Merlot, is a distinctive and textural wine with a creamy mid-palate and savory undertones of rose stem and cherry fruit. Smoky minerality threads through a core of crunchy, juicy white plums, accented by a lift of white pepper spice on the lengthy finish. A serious rosé, well-suited to pairing with heartier summer dishes.

2023

Wines by Alisa Jacobson

Distinctive by AJ Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cabernet from Alisa Jacobson, known around the Santa Ynez Valley as ‘AJ’, is sourced from her top sites in Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley, with a splash of Santa Ynez Valley Merlot. Medium to full bodied and well balanced, it offers juicy, ripe red and black fruit layered with sweet baking spices. Plush tannins frame the palate, leading to a pleasing finish accented by sagebrush and crushed cocoa nibs. Aged primarily in neutral French oak (10% new).

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2001

Producer

Name

Absolutely stunning. This wine strikes a remarkable balance of richness and freshness, layered with savoury depth. Super-fine tannins carry notes of leather, tobacco, and black tea—think Earl Grey—wrapped around cassis and blackcurrant fruit. It’s long, fresh, and vibrant from the pull of the cork, evolving beautifully with air to reveal sumptuous waves of rich earth, spice, smoked paprika, and undeniable elegance.

2017

Producer

Name

This red blend, sourced from the 140-acre Narra Vineyard estate in the Texas High Plains near Brownfield, combines Malbec and Merlot aged for 36 months in all-neutral barrels, and showcases depth and refinement.The Malbec contributes a savory character, while the Merlot brings bright fruit and floral notes. Layers of sagebrush, Texas prairie grass, figs, and spiced plums define the aromatic profile, and with some air, intriguing black tea nuances emerge. The tannins, too, carry a black tea-like quality, seamlessly integrated and adding to the wine’s polished texture. A complex and balanced red.

2018

Producer

Name

This Bordeaux blend features Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 685, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Carménère, aged for an impressive 48 months in neutral French oak. Named “Kanchi,” after a village in South India renowned for its wedding saris, the name evokes a sense of rich history and elegance—qualities reflected in the wine itself. The wine is both elegant and intense, offering high-toned red berry fruit and warm spices. Full-bodied, it boasts plump, velvety tannins with layers of mocha, brown spices like cardamom and coriander, and intriguing notes of grapefruit zest and orange peel. The finish is long and deeply satisfying, marking this wine as a standout.

2019

Producer

Name

The 2019 Becker Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, sourced from the Wilmeth Vineyard (also known as Diamante Doble) in the Texas High Plains, is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 1.6% Petit Verdot, and 1.4% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 30 months in a combination of 70% American oak (35% new) and 30% French oak (20% new), this wine is juicy, approachable, and easy to drink. It features satiny, silky tannins and rich dark berry flavors, accented by ample brown baking spices. The palate carries a welcome lean elegance, leading to a long finish with fantastic slate and iron minerality and a touch of wild herbs. During the tasting, I also sampled a 2016 vintage, which showed remarkable evolution—fuller, richer, and with more intense tannins. Its truffle notes and loamy earth character were reminiscent of aged California Cabernet or Bordeaux Supérieur. Both vintages exemplify the vineyard’s exceptional potential and craftsmanship.

2019

Producer

Name

This super savory, medium-bodied Merlot opens with crunchy cherry and dark berry fruits, complemented by underbrush and pastille notes. As the wine develops, it reveals layers of blue fruit jam and a touch of tobacco leaf. The finish is long and satisfying.

2021

Producer

Name

Elisa Christopher Wines’ 100% Merlot from the Texas High Plains is aromatic and spicy on the nose, with intriguing hints of jalapeño, black currants, and spiced plums. Medium-bodied, it offers juicy upfront fruit character, framed by vibrant blue fruit compote and black cherry accents. The wine is further layered with notes of pie spices, leather, and a touch of white pepper.

2021

Producer

Name

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a collaboration of six Livermore winemakers who come together each year to craft a unique blend, with each contributing their own interpretation using wines from their cellars. In this expression, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec to create a rich, harmonious red. The nose is peppery and floral, with savory blackcurrant aromas, while the palate delivers bold flavor with impressive balance—powerful, polished, and delicious. -JR

2021

Producer

Name

Cofermented from all five traditional Bordeaux varieties, this blend comes from a field planting of less than an acre in the Davis Vineyard. Intensely savory and deeply expressive, it opens with bold aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, dried herbs, oak, and a touch of vanilla extract. The palate is supple and rich, continuing the savory thread with ripe, plummy dark fruit, impressive concentration, and a lift of blood orange acidity. -JR

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!

2022

Producer

Name

A heady mix of red and black fruit unfolds with rich cedarwood spice, building through cocoa powder tannins and crunchy red fruit accented by warm Indian spices on the mid-palate, carrying through to the full-bodied finish. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

2022

Producer

Name

Here’s a Cabernet Franc with a splash of Merlot, sourced from Long Island growers and aged 15 months in a mix of Burgundy and Bordeaux barrels. The nose opens with rich cherry and forest berries, layered with brown spices, leather, tobacco, and licorice. The medium-bodied palate features spiced plum and loamy earth, finishing with floral lift and mineral nuance

2022

Producer

Name

A bold, dark-fruited Merlot that pulls no punches—bursting with kirsch, ground espresso, and cedarwood aromas, along with a subtle walnut husk character. The palate is dense and brooding, with ripe currant fruit wrapped in muscular tannins that carry through to a firm, structured finish. This is a hefty, full-throttle expression of Merlot—decidedly not for the faint of heart.

2023

Producer

Name

Everything you’ve come to expect in a well-made Merlot: plush, dark plum fruit layered with warm baking spices and fragrant cedarwood, with a deep, almost mahogany-like richness. Full-bodied and juicy on the palate, it’s underpinned by unusually firm, crisp tannins—adding unexpected structure and personality. The wine’s depth is matched by a lifted finish scented with violets and dried herbs

2023

Producer

Name

This estate-grown rosé, made from Merlot, is a distinctive and textural wine with a creamy mid-palate and savory undertones of rose stem and cherry fruit. Smoky minerality threads through a core of crunchy, juicy white plums, accented by a lift of white pepper spice on the lengthy finish. A serious rosé, well-suited to pairing with heartier summer dishes.

2023

Producer

Name

This Cabernet from Alisa Jacobson, known around the Santa Ynez Valley as ‘AJ’, is sourced from her top sites in Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley, with a splash of Santa Ynez Valley Merlot. Medium to full bodied and well balanced, it offers juicy, ripe red and black fruit layered with sweet baking spices. Plush tannins frame the palate, leading to a pleasing finish accented by sagebrush and crushed cocoa nibs. Aged primarily in neutral French oak (10% new).

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2001

2001 Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Still Wine

N/A

2017

2017 Rivenburgh Wine Red Blend

Still Wine

$

2018

2018 Kalasi Cellars Kanchi Red Wine

Still

N/A

2019

2019 Becker Vineyards Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon

Still

N/A

2019

2019 Bingham Family Vineyards Merlot

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 Elisa Christopher Wines Paka Family Vineyards, Merlot

Still

$

2021

2021 JMC Cellars LVVC Red Blend

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 JMC Cellars The Blind Pig

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Red Wine

Still

$$$

2022

2022 Heath Vineyards Absolution Red Blend

-

$$$

2022

2022 Millbrook Winery Cabernet Franc

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Roblar Winery & Vineyards Big Ben, Estate Merlot (Gold Collection)

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Firestone Vineyard Estate Merlot

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Lavender Oak Vineyard & Winery Estate Rosé

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Wines by Alisa Jacobson Distinctive by AJ Cabernet Sauvignon

Still Wine

$

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