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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2024

K Estate

Rose of Syrah

This is one fantastic rosé—extremely balanced with great nervy tension, tart red berry fruit, and a kiss of wild herb and prairie grass. Luscious notes of apricot and white peach mingle with subtle rose petal florals. Totally delicious and utterly crushable. 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).

NV

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice / Red Blend

This non-vintage blend has no set formula or constraints from year to year, allowing the winemaker complete creative freedom—a refreshing approach that yields something unique with each release. Issued roughly every 18 months, the current bottling combines Tempranillo, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Ruby Cabernet. The nose is bold and expressive, showing black tea, maple, toffee, espresso, a touch of meatiness, and dried violets. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers flavors of chocolate-covered almonds and fig paste, supported by gritty tannins and a long, spicy finish marked by smoked paprika.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2022

Producer

Name

This blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre comes from Thompson Vineyard, planted in the late 1980s and long renowned for Syrah. Situated on the slopes of Alisos Canyon in the Los Alamos Valley, the own-rooted vines grow in sandy loam soils under cooler conditions. The vibrant floral lift of the Syrah mingles with the juicy red berry fruitiness of the Grenache, while the Mourvèdre contributes brown spice and a firm tannic backbone. There’s a wonderful meatiness to this Rhône blend, along with rich coffee bean aromatics, tangerine peel, and a touch of cocoa powder, all framed by blood orange acidity that keeps everything lively and fresh. The long finish reveals subtle cigar box and loamy earth accents. Just 87 cases produced. Bottled unfiltered. A wine club-only wine.

2022

Producer

Name

This blend of 47% Mourvèdre, 24% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, and 6% Grenache hails from Thompson Vineyard, planted in the late 1980s on the slopes of Alisos Canyon in the Los Alamos Valley, where own-rooted vines grow in sandy loam soils under cooler conditions. I first discovered these wines while tasting through a bevy of producers for my recent report on Santa Barbara County, and they are true standouts. The bouquet alone is remarkably enticing—dark cherries, Luxardo cherry, a dusting of white pepper, and a meaty, golden-honeyed barbecue note. The medium-bodied palate is gorgeously layered, with a core of juicy, crunchy cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate fruit complemented by cocoa-powder tannins. Super fine in structure, it’s framed by grippy, mouthwatering, zesty acidity. At 13.6% alcohol, the wine is precise, energetic, and elegant. Only 114 cases were produced—just over four barrels—bottled unfiltered. A wine club–only release, so be smart and get on the list.

2022

Producer

Name

Part of the winery’s single vineyard and small lot program, this estate site—planted in 1989 and named in memory of Fess Parker’s late son-in-law—is primarily dedicated to Rhône varieties. The Syrah here is particularly expressive, leaping from the glass with vivid aromas of black cherry, spiced charcuterie, violets, and cracked black pepper. On the palate, the wine is bold and dense, with elliptical, muscular tannins that support the aromatic profile as flavors, delivering remarkable concentration and grip. The finish is bone dry and tense, with lasting complexity and structure.

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

Fermented in oak foudre and aged for 20 months in 20% new, 40% second-use, and 40% neutral French oak barrels, this Syrah comes from Alta Loma Vineyard in the Texas High Plains. It’s a full-bodied, dense, and powerful expression with meaty richness, black truffle, and loamy earth notes wrapped in a molasses-like depth. The bold, expressive palate reveals juicy dark berry fruit layered with cocoa powder and lifted by zesty blood orange acidity, all framed by robust, finely structured tannins.

2022

Producer

Name

The GPS red blend gets its name from a double meaning—both a nod to place and a California spin on traditional Rhône blends (with Grenache and Syrah joined by Petite Sirah to form Page Mill’s flagship red). The youthful nose of this 2022 vintage brims with raspberry, cinnamon, violets, plums, and pepper, while the palate delivers flavors of black raspberry and black cherry. Powerful yet smooth, the wine is beautifully balanced by a vibrant, energetic lift that keeps it fresh and compelling. -JR

2022

Producer

Name

Just four barrels were produced of this Donnachadh Vineyard Syrah from Alban and Estrella clones, aged 10 months in French oak. The nose is deeply enticing—rich with spicy charcuterie, violets, and black cherry fruit. On the medium-bodied palate, firm, mineral-laced tannins and zesty saline acidity deliver mouthwatering tension. Layers of blackberry coulis, cherry pit, vanilla, and ironstone minerality unfurl across a long, tightly coiled finish. Still youthful and structured, this wine promises a decade or more of compelling evolution.

2022

Producer

Name

From Mae’s Vineyard—named for Margaux Mae, the owner’s daughter—this is a gorgeous Syrah, bursting with pure red cherry and blueberry fruit, interlaced with rose petal, violet, and a dusting of white pepper. The palate is all satin and silk, energized by tangy blood orange acidity and layered with hints of clove, mountain herbs, and wet stone minerality on a long, saline-acid finish. Simply spectacular.

2022

Producer

Name

The winery is part of the historic Mexican land grant once owned by the James Flood family of San Francisco, located along the Sisquoc River in northern Santa Barbara County, east of Santa Maria. This Syrah is fresh and expressive, with bold notes of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and dark chocolate, lifted by floral accents of violets and a touch of white pepper. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers juicy, farmer’s market-style fruit with subtle baking spice nuances. Superfine tannins lend structure and poise, framing a long, balanced finish.

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 Syrah from Somar is a vivid, red-fruited expression with blue fruit nuances woven throughout, framed by velvety tannins and supple fruit layered with baking spices, a hint of vanilla, and crushed rock minerality with espresso bean and violet nuances. All too easy to drink.

2022

Producer

Name

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

Producer

Name

From Amy Christine MW and Peter Hunken comes this downright thrilling Syrah—an utterly complete wine that captures the soul of the variety. High-toned violet aromatics evoke the spirit of the Northern Rhône, while savory elements of white pepper, black truffle, and charcuterie speak to Syrah’s wilder side. On the palate, it’s driven by zesty, saline-acid tension—imagine a squeeze of blood orange over herb-laced sea salt—balanced by sinewy tannins that bring a muscular architecture to the wine. Agave nectar and dried sage add nuance to the long, spicy finish.Super bright and zesty, complex and layered.

2023

Producer

Name

Fermented with 100% whole clusters, this Estrella Clone Syrah from Robert Rae Ranch—just 9.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean—delivers all the hallmark aromatics you’d expect: violet, black cherry, and black olive. But what sets it apart is its electrifying structure. Medium-bodied, zippy, and perfumed, it showcases soaring tannins and lip-smacking acidity that gives the wine serious cut and tension. Bright, floral, and bracingly fresh, this Syrah begs to be served with a chill and paired with hearty fare—think rich pastas or wood-fired pizza.

2023

Producer

Name

This blend of 68% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 11% Mourvèdre delivers a pleasingly spicy, red-fruited wine that brims with the aromatic intensity of a just-baked blondie cookie. Ripe, juicy red fruit defines the silky palate expression, building to a lengthy, fruit- and spice-driven medium-bodied finish.

2024

Producer

Name

This is one fantastic rosé—extremely balanced with great nervy tension, tart red berry fruit, and a kiss of wild herb and prairie grass. Luscious notes of apricot and white peach mingle with subtle rose petal florals. Totally delicious and utterly crushable. 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).

NV

Producer

Name

This non-vintage blend has no set formula or constraints from year to year, allowing the winemaker complete creative freedom—a refreshing approach that yields something unique with each release. Issued roughly every 18 months, the current bottling combines Tempranillo, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Ruby Cabernet. The nose is bold and expressive, showing black tea, maple, toffee, espresso, a touch of meatiness, and dried violets. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers flavors of chocolate-covered almonds and fig paste, supported by gritty tannins and a long, spicy finish marked by smoked paprika.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2022

2022 Dovecote Thompson Vineyard “Mantle”

Still Wine

$$$

2022

2022 Dovecote Thompson Vineyard “Redtail”

Still Wine

$$$

2022

2022 Fess Parker Winery Rodney’s Vinyeard Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Heath Vineyards Absolution Red Blend

-

$$$

2022

2022 Lost Draw Wines Alta Loma Vineyard, Syrah

-

$$

2022

2022 Page Mill Winery GPS

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Paradise Springs Winery Donnachadh Vineyard Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Quady North Mae’s Vineyard Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Rancho Sisquoc Winery Estate Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Somar Estate Grown Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Wine for the People Alta Loma Vineyard, Syrah

Still

$$

2023

2023 Holus Bolus Presqu’ile Vineyard Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Marbeso Robert Rae Ranch Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Slouch Hat Wines Parade Rest Reserve GSM

Still Wine

N/A

2024

2024 K Estate Rose of Syrah

-

$

NV

NV Brennan Vineyards Winemaker’s Choice / Red Blend

-

$$

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