Cristaldi Scores

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The 1995 is a stunningly beautiful wine, offering layers of pressed violets, dried rose petals, loamy earth, currant, and cassis. Juicy acidity remains vibrant and fully in check, balanced by firm, mineral-rich tannins. With time in the glass, notes of leather, tar, black olive, liquorice, and charcuterie emerge, adding depth and savory complexity. Enjoy this wine with pizza at Fiocha Pizza in Mattituck, NY.

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.

This is absolutely spectacular. At 15 years of age, the wine is riveting—showing the kind of secondary complexity you might wait 25 years to see in Bordeaux or Napa. Here, Cabernet Franc has evolved into a deeply expressive, medium- to full-bodied wine with layered cassis and red currant fruit, loamy earth, and dried eucalyptus. Notes of bay laurel, orange zest, and a hint of vanilla lift the finish, which is long, earthy, and energized by zesty acidity.

The 2010, which winemaker Kareem Massoud opened, was seriously impressive—showing pure berry fruit, currants, and warm brown spices. Juicy acidity lifts the mid-palate, while pressed floral notes and firm, expressive tannins guide the wine toward a long, mineral-driven finish.

The 2010 shows some tension right out of the gate, but with air, it opens beautifully—offering cassis, currant, wet slate, and warm brown spices. The palate builds with integrated tannins that carry both grip and a velvety texture, framed by savory notes of sage and bay laurel. A firm saline-acid tension drives the finish.

From Mark Snyder’s Red Hook Winery comes this Reserve, crafted by Christopher Nicolson with consulting from Abe Schoener. At 15 years of age, it’s remarkably enjoyable—downright enviable. The wine has developed an almost sherry-like character, with ripe cassis evolving into dark, sweet currants layered with baking spices and maple-honey tannins. Rich tones of dark loamy earth and black tea deepen the complexity, while the long, lingering finish echoes with salted crushed almonds, dried dates, and apricot.

The ‘Jour 1’ (‘Day 1’) explores Le Levant, south of Avize. 100% Chardonnay. Rich and full with a heady bouquet of jasmine, Mirabelle, and nougat. A fine, creamy mousse unspools with Granny Smith apple, flaky croissant, and salted caramel. Taut, tense, and mineral-driven.
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay from Ambonnay. A lemony-rich bouquet brings forward decadent sugar-dusted pastries, toasted almonds, and dried apricots. Impressively taut with fleshy yellow apple, ripe pear, and fine-boned acidity. A vein of chalky minerality rounds out a long finish of black truffle, smoked sea salt, and lemon zest
Produced only in the best vintages, this wine offers impressive richness with creamy orchard fruit, fresh French pastry notes, and a beautifully layered nutty complexity. There’s a lengthy, toasty brioche character threaded with flinty minerality, leading to a savory, saline-acid finish. Eight years sur lie lends remarkable depth, yet the wine remains strikingly fresh and balanced on the long, inviting close. Disgorged 8.31.23 and 4.14.24. Dosage: 6 g/L.
Olivier Bonville of Champagne Franck Bonville (based in Avize) and stepson Ferdinand Ruelle are exploring the 319 Champagne villages. The ‘Jour 2’ (‘Day 2’) takes us to Le Couchant, north of Avize. 100% Chardonnay. Compact, mind-bogglingly complex. Exquisite fine beading is persistent. Savory, mineral-kissed, loaded with orchard fruits, mulberry, cherry, black truffle, and sous bois nuances—incredible.
Clean and expressive, this 2015 vintage-dated sparkling wine opens with lifted aromas of orchard and stone fruit, accented by hints of almond and white flowers. The mousse is assertive and creamy, building on the palate with toasty brioche notes. Excellent mid-palate concentration and a long, acid-driven finish underscore its remarkable freshness and vitality, even after extended time on the lees. The fruit was sourced from estate vineyards on the west side of Seneca Lake: 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay.
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.

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.

The ‘B 15 01 RCV MTR’ hails from the 2015 vintage and represents the first two of ten barrels from an old vine field blend, aged for 76 months in 100% neutral Radoux medium+ toast French oak. This deeply expressive wine marries the lifted florals and blue fruit tones of the 2017 with the herbaceous spice and bright acidity of the 2016. Aromas of dried violet, grilled agave, and spicy currants unfold into a layered palate of tart red berries, dark cassis, and blood orange. Rich loamy earth, black truffle, and nutty undertones weave through a full-bodied frame, supported by sappy tannins and a savory, saline-tinged finish. The texture is firm yet supple, with persistent energy and depth from its extended barrel aging.

The ‘B 15 02 RCV MTR’ is the same wine as the ‘B 15 01 RCV MTR’—from the 2015 vintage and crafted from an old vine field blend—aged instead for an extraordinary 100 months in 100% neutral Radoux medium+ toast French oak. The currant and spiced plum fruit found in the 76-month-aged version is still present, now evolving into more tertiary territory. Notes of dusty sagebrush, loamy earth, kirsch, and crushed almonds emerge, along with spiced nuts and plenty of textural tannin to carry the wine’s weight and complexity. NOT YET RELEASED as of May 2025. Check with winery.

The ‘B 15 03 RCV MTR’ is the same wine as the ‘B 15 01 RCV MTR’—from the 2015 vintage and made from an old vine field blend—aged for an exceptional 114 months in 100% neutral Radoux medium+ toast French oak. The once-bright currant and spiced plum fruit has evolved into dried fruit and rich rum raisin cake, showing deep maturity and layered complexity. The tannins remain grippy but are finally beginning to resolve, leading to a long, spicy finish. Not yet released as of May 2025. Check with the winery for availability.

From Martini Family Vineyards, this wine is crushed and pressed into stainless steel and fermented with indigenous yeast. It offers expressive vinous aromatics layered with fresh apple and lemon verbena, supported by subtle honeycomb notes. A through line of lime-bright minerality carries the wine to a lifted finish.
Seven generations of the Monmarthes have farmed slopes in the Premier Cru village of Ludes. Taut, racy, and complex. Baked apples and pears emerge through an assertive mousse. The saline mid-palate is balanced by chalky minerals, finishing with Marcona almonds and smoky sea salt.
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.

The ‘B 16 00 RCV TOU’ is 100% Touriga Nacional, aged for 36 months in neutral barrels. The nose offers spicy currant fruit and herbaceous aromatics, leading into a palate of tart red berries, blood orange, and sappy tannins. The finish is marked by a spicy, saline-acid tension that adds lift and vibrancy.

Unfolding in layers and taking its sweet time about it, this red is exquisite and quite reserved at the moment. It’s going to take some time (and then some more time) to fully come around. But as the earth, leather, rose petal, and red fruit action develops, it will turn into an absolutely understated beauty. – J.R.

Bending Branch’s 2017 Tannat, sourced from Newsom Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, is a medium- to full-bodied red that opens with vibrant cherry and strawberry fruit notes, complemented by white pepper spices. A powerful baseline of tannins provides structure, with nicely ripe and well-integrated tannins that add depth and smoothness. As the wine unfolds, nuances of tobacco and sage build complexity, leading to a mineral-rich finish.

Quite lovely. Lemon pastry and toasty, buttered-croissant notes build in the glass, framed by a rich, frothy, airy mousse that resolves with fine tension and a chalky mineral edge. A slick lemon-oil mid-palate carries the finish, layered with honeydew melon, apple and poached pear. You too can be a champ with Le Champ—just don’t call it Champagne. Call it The Champ, or Champers. Better yet, don’t overthink it at all. Pop the cork and enjoy with gusto.
Aged six years en tirage with a dosage of 3 g/L, this is a bright, vinous sparkling wine with notes of almond, white flowers, and abundant orchard fruit. The palate is fresh, clean, and marked by a steely mineral edge.
Heady black truffle, wild herbs, licorice, and salty sea spray notes. A bright, assertive mousse leads to creamy waves of caramelized pears and bruised yellow apples through a salty mineral finish. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir.
A rare 100% Pinot Blanc from Ville-sur-Arce, farmed by Rémy Massin, a salt of the earth Récoltant Manipulant. Vivid and bright. Lemon zest, smoky minerals, and wildflowers. Voluminous with profound lemony-intensity and crisp orchard fruit. Long, concentrated finish. Ageworthy.
Bright and attractive with white flowers, orchard fruits, and flaky French buttered pastry. Rich with a persistent mousse and layers of yellow apple, poached pear, vanilla cream, pastry crust, and a lemony finish.
Sources for this wine are El Diablo and Star Ridge, planted to Pommard and Vosne Romanée selections. Star Ridge is the older site and was originally part of the Gary Farrell estate. The Pommard here is Clones 4 and 5, with Clone 5 being the cleaned-up selection. At this stage, the fruit profile leans a touch baked, but it’s still quite delicious—think strawberry and cherry pie with classic cherry-pie spice. The palate is rich, satiny and velvety, driving a long, creamy and inviting finish.

2017 marked the first year that partners Christopher P. Bates MS, and Robert W. Bates began farming this estate, managing to coax just under a ton per acre from the vineyard. Sourced from their Sunspot and Underdog blocks, the fruit was destemmed, spontaneously fermented with ambient yeasts, then basket-pressed and aged in old neutral French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine strikes a nice balance between fruit density and rustic earthiness, lending real complexity. Dark cherry fruit and cocoa powder tannins create a chewy, textured palate, lifted by tangy acid tension. The low yields undoubtedly contribute to the wine’s depth and concentration. Now, eight years on, this wine still has a promising future ahead!

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This Roussanne from La Pradera Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is undeniably delicious, showcasing crisp orchard fruit, unctuous lemon and tangerine oil, white flowers, and supple textures framed by savory, saline-driven acidity that’s mouthwatering and glides to a wet river stone mineral finish. The vineyard was established in 2010 by Mike and Barbara Paddack with the help of Texas grape growers Andy and Lauren Timmons. Aged for 7 months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral oak barrels. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.
From La Pradera Vineyard, this wine was picked on the early side and aged for 14 months in large-format neutral oak to preserve freshness. Some stem inclusion adds a subtle spiciness to the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it shows nice mid-palate depth and richness, with dark berry fruit, violets, and saddle leather notes. Muscular tannins build toward a crisp, structured finish.

TASTING NOTE: Lot #40. Barrel Sample: When Williams Selyem and Benovia appear on the same label, you don’t even taste the wine—you just buy it. I told myself I wouldn’t taste it, knowing it would be too good to handle. Okay, that’s not true. I tasted it. Like five times. Just to be sure I liked it. I did and so will you. Super bright and zesty, with red earth minerality, vibrant red berry fruit, floral tones, and rich baking spice. Notes of grapefruit zest and blood orange add lift, while dark forest berry, underbrush, and saline mineral tension bring depth and structure. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: This is a first-time collaboration between two incredible winemakers, Jeff Mangahas and Mike Sullivan. This Pinot Noir comes from the Cohn Vineyard nestled in the hills and forest above Westside Road. It is one of the few heritage vineyards remaining in Sonoma County, initially planted in 1970. Cohn Vineyard was first produced as a single vineyard designate Pinot Noir back in 1987 by Burt Williams at Williams Selyem. With sweeping views of the Russian River Valley, Cohn Vineyard is notable for its ruddy, iron-rich soil, sometimes called “Terra Rossa.” Farmed sustainably and with minimal irrigation, these gnarled vines produce small and compact clusters with yields of just over 1 ton per acre. Benovia Winery is a small production family-owned winery in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Burt Williams and Ed Selyem started their winery, in the Russian River Valley with two lofty goals: to craft wines that set the standard for excellence, and to come to know and serve their customers personally. The depth of knowledge that both wineries bring to making exceptional Pinot Noir in this part of the world is a real treat for the winning bidder of this lot. “Terra Rossa” is a wine of depth and complexity. Brooding and dark, notes of black cherry combine with blood orange and hints of sous bois. Wood spices perfectly complement the dark fruit character. With great acidity and structure, the wine is buffered with terrific extract that provides balance. Dark fruits, citrus, and notes of cedar wrap up with flavors of black tea. WINEMAKER(S): Jeff Mangahas (Williams Selyem), Mike Sullivan (Benovia Winery) ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2026 (Available in bottle or keg format) ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: March 2026 National Distribution: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY, Washington, DC International Distribution: Includes Denmark, Japan, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

What a wine. Sourced from small, hand-picked blocks within the Harbes and Soloviev vineyards on Long Island’s North Fork, and aged on fine lees for two months, this is a fantastic and weighty expression of Chenin Blanc. Vibrant citrus and apricot notes lead the way, followed by a subtle honeyed richness that emerges at the core. A firm spine of lime-bright acidity drives the wine, finishing with vivid saline-mineral tension and a building, mouthwatering spice. Clean, crisp, energetic, and laser-focused.
This is a bright, zesty white driven by tropical fruit, with notes of papaya and mango building toward a fleshy mid-palate. But just as it settles into richness, laser-focused acidity kicks in—crisp, crunchy, and cleansing—making this the ideal food wine. It’s your go-to with oysters or roast chicken and potatoes, cutting through fat with razor-sharp tension. This is 100% Trebbiano, a variety well suited to the growing conditions of Long Island’s East End, aged on fine lees for three months, with malolactic fermentation entirely avoided. Just 442 cases produced.
This is a bright, focused wine with sea spray aromatics and delicate red berry fruit. On the palate, it’s charged with salty, chalky minerality, notes of grapefruit zest and kumquat, and a gorgeous lift of florals that fuel a lengthy, energetic finish. There’s plenty of tension and vibrancy throughout. 2024 is regarded as a fantastic vintage in the region, and that’s on dissplay with this wine. Aged on fine lees for two months to build texture, and malolactic fermentation was avoided to preserve acidity.
This Sauvignon Blanc was barrel-fermented and aged for seven months in 33% once-used Acacia wood. It opens with a fragrant, expressive nose of Acacia, honeysuckle, and tangerine oil. Medium-bodied on the palate, it shows energy, poise, and tension. The texture grips initially, then releases to reveal layers of prairie grass, a squeeze of Meyer lemon, flamed grapefruit zest, and grapefruit oil. A complex white that’s more than deserving of a rotisserie chicken—or even a salted cut of beef.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the Louis Mel Ranch Vineyard, was aged for four months in stainless steel. Focused and precise, it shows linear acid tension with bright grapefruit zest, tangerine oil, and a crunchy kumquat skin character on the medium-bodied palate. The finish is lengthy and lifted, marked by honeysuckle and jasmine blossom hints.
This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc (Musqué clone) from Triska Vineyard, aged for three months in stainless steel. Amanda Kent explained that they decided to plant this more coastal-leaning Musqué clone—rather than Clone 1—because the region is, in fact, cooling. The clone was first planted in 2018 at Triska and has since been added to Lemmons Vineyard as well. At Triska, the block faces north at a ten-degree angle, tilted away from the sun, and the team grows the canopies tall to create additional shade. I tasted the 2025 in December 2025—the first wine I tried from the vintage. It was fermented in tank with a portion in acacia wood, not for flavour but to add mid-palate appeal. Harvested in mid-September, it was aged on the lees for about six weeks and bottled a few months later. Super aromatic, with bright white pepper, green apple, honeycomb, jasmine, and even a touch of fresh-sliced jalapeño. Light, bright, and zesty on the mid-palate, with crunchy acidity and a bone-dry, wet-slate mineral finish. Super inviting and enticing.
Melon and white peach notes lead, with high-toned white florals. The palate is juicy and just a bit tannic, with watermelon and strawberry shining through on a finish that builds with lively, juicy tension.
Bold aromas lead into a red-berry-driven profile, building with creamy intensity on the medium-bodied palate, bolstered by milk chocolate notes, cranberry, and fruit leather, while zesty acidity brings a fizzy, exuberant finish.

Fairly reductive, flinty notes meet a host of cheesy, leesy nuances on the palate, like biting into a hunk of Manchego or Parmigiano. That savoriness supports juicy lemon and lime citrus fruit alongside apple and pear notes. Simple and quite quaffable.
This is the 2025 Cabernet Franc from Gilmetti Vineyard, bottled in 12-ounce beer bottles — a playful decision by winemaker Steven Kent, who simply pulled it from tank and bottled it at 13.5% alcohol. It is super young, youthful, unfined and unfiltered, and it smells and tastes exactly as Cabernet Franc should, with crisp tannins, clean acidity and super-juicy dark-berry fruit. It is absolutely delicious, and if you find yourself at a beer-only party, you could bring this along, pretend, and get away with it.

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The Winemaker’s Choice is a non-vintage blend consisting of 22% Malbec, 10% Carmenère, 3% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah, 32% Graciano, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% 2019 Tempranillo (all from the 2019 vintage); along with 4% 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% 2018 Tempranillo. This well-built red offers savory red currant fruit, charcuterie, white pepper, and dried rose petal notes. Medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, it lingers with plenty of savory spices.

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From Brennan Vineyards comes this dynamic non-vintage blend of 27% 2023 Syrah, 4% 2023 Ruby Cabernet, 27% 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% 2020 Tempranillo, and 21% 2020 Syrah. The wine teems with vibrant red cherry, espresso bean, leather, and tobacco notes. Full-bodied, it reveals emerging blue fruit flavors, cherry compote, and pressed violets, creating a rich and layered profile. Lively and energetic, it is framed by firm, well-integrated tannins that provide structure and balance. These non-vintage blends from Brennan Vineyards offer a unique approach to crafting wines, and it’s a style that I believe Texas producers should dig their spurs into more often.

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Established in 1935, a pioneer of the Côte des Bars. Vivid and alluring. Brioche and lemon pastry aromas. A gentle mousse builds with expressive minerality, tart orchard fruit, and taut acid tension. From estate-grown Pinot Noir vines on slopes of the Seine River Valley.

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