Cristaldi Scores

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Barrel-aged for an impressive 76 months in French oak, this bottling is the second release of 10 barrels from an old vine field blend of Merlot, Touriga Nacional, and Ruby Cabernet, bottled unfiltered. The result is a truly intriguing wine: rich with molasses character, stewed red fruit, and sweet spice notes, evoking a tawny port-like nose. These same flavors carry through on the palate, with a touch of strawberry balsamic reduction adding complexity. The tannins are still quite firm and present, building on the long, nutty finish.

This Robert Clay Sangiovese from Mandola Vineyards, which was ripped out sadly, produced from a single barrel of the 2015 vintage and aged for 65 months in French oak, presents a truly unique and intriguing rendition of the variety. At the pull of the cork, the wine is fresh and currant-driven, and builds with air into an unmistakably Port-like power, which is quite rare—and fascinating—for Sangiovese. Bone dry on the finish and with a sherry-like quality, and with more air it offers toasty nutty notes and currant fruit flavors, complemented by rich spice cake nuances. This is truly a one-of-a-kind expression of Sangiovese.

This release of Robert Clay’s Chardonnay, sourced from Mason County in the Texas Hill Country AVA, is sourced from vines rooted in the deep, fine Hickory sands that sit atop the expansive Hickory Aquifer. Barrel-aged for 12 months in neutral oak, this wine showcases a ripe, full-throttle character. It opens with vibrant citrus fruit, white pepper, and a subtle hint of savory prairie grass, intertwined with sweet cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is surprisingly leaner than the nose suggests, offering bright acidity and balanced tension. A crowd-pleaser with excellent structure, it’s one of the most food-friendly Chardonnays from Texas. Notably, this “B 21 02 RCV CHA” is an unfiltered expression of Chardonnay (their “B 21 03 RCV CHA” offers a filtered version).
Barrel-aged for 12 months in neutral oak, this Robert Clay Chardonnay is sourced from Mason County in the Texas Hill Country, an hour west of Stonewall. Here, vines thrive in hickory sands—deep, fine soils that rest above the large Hickory Aquifer. This “B 21 03 RCV CHA” label represents the filtered expression of their Chardonnay, offering a leaner, more focused profile compared to their unfiltered “B 21 02 RCV CHA.” It showcases white pepper-infused citrus and orchard fruit, accented by savory cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied with precise acidity and heightened tension, this wine finishes with a distinctive cool, wet granite minerality.

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$

Barrel-aged for an impressive 76 months in French oak, this bottling is the second release of 10 barrels from an old vine field blend of Merlot, Touriga Nacional, and Ruby Cabernet, bottled unfiltered. The result is a truly intriguing wine: rich with molasses character, stewed red fruit, and sweet spice notes, evoking a tawny port-like nose. These same flavors carry through on the palate, with a touch of strawberry balsamic reduction adding complexity. The tannins are still quite firm and present, building on the long, nutty finish.

This Robert Clay Sangiovese from Mandola Vineyards, which was ripped out sadly, produced from a single barrel of the 2015 vintage and aged for 65 months in French oak, presents a truly unique and intriguing rendition of the variety. At the pull of the cork, the wine is fresh and currant-driven, and builds with air into an unmistakably Port-like power, which is quite rare—and fascinating—for Sangiovese. Bone dry on the finish and with a sherry-like quality, and with more air it offers toasty nutty notes and currant fruit flavors, complemented by rich spice cake nuances. This is truly a one-of-a-kind expression of Sangiovese.

This release of Robert Clay’s Chardonnay, sourced from Mason County in the Texas Hill Country AVA, is sourced from vines rooted in the deep, fine Hickory sands that sit atop the expansive Hickory Aquifer. Barrel-aged for 12 months in neutral oak, this wine showcases a ripe, full-throttle character. It opens with vibrant citrus fruit, white pepper, and a subtle hint of savory prairie grass, intertwined with sweet cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is surprisingly leaner than the nose suggests, offering bright acidity and balanced tension. A crowd-pleaser with excellent structure, it’s one of the most food-friendly Chardonnays from Texas. Notably, this “B 21 02 RCV CHA” is an unfiltered expression of Chardonnay (their “B 21 03 RCV CHA” offers a filtered version).
Barrel-aged for 12 months in neutral oak, this Robert Clay Chardonnay is sourced from Mason County in the Texas Hill Country, an hour west of Stonewall. Here, vines thrive in hickory sands—deep, fine soils that rest above the large Hickory Aquifer. This “B 21 03 RCV CHA” label represents the filtered expression of their Chardonnay, offering a leaner, more focused profile compared to their unfiltered “B 21 02 RCV CHA.” It showcases white pepper-infused citrus and orchard fruit, accented by savory cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied with precise acidity and heightened tension, this wine finishes with a distinctive cool, wet granite minerality.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

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