Wines – Cristaldi & Co

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

1995

Paumanok Vineyards

Grand Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Red

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.

Red

2010

Millbrook Winery

Block Three East Cabernet Franc Reserve

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.

Red

2010

Paumanok Vineyards

Grand Vintage Cabernet Franc

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.

Red

2010

Paumanok Vineyards

Tuthills Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Red

2010

The Red Hook Winery

Cabernet Franc Legacy Series Lot #305

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.

Red

2014

Champagne Odyssée

Blanc de Blancs Jour 1: Le Levant Grand Cru Brut

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.

White

2014

Champagne Paul Déthune

Cuvée A L'Ancienne Extra Brut Grand Cru

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

White

2014

Sparkling Pointe

Brut Seduction

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.

White

2015

Champagne Odyssée

319' Blanc de Blancs Jour 2: Le Couchant Grand Cru Brut

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.

White

2015

Glenora Wine Cellars

Brut Méthode Champenoise

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.

White

2015

Robert Clay

Old Vine Field Blend Grand Reserve B 15 01 RCV MTR

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.

Red

2015

Robert Clay

Sangiovese, Single Barrel, B 15 02 MDV SAN, Grand Reserve

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.

Red

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.

Red

2015

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 15 01 RCV MTR

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.

Red

2015

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 15 02 RCV MTR

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.

Red

2015

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 15 03 RCV MTR

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.

Red

2016

Anthony Road Wine Company

Art Series Riesling

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.

White

2016

Champagne Monmarthe

Le Nid D'agace Extra Brut Premier Cru

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.

White

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.

Red

2016

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 16 00 RCV TOU

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.

Red

2016

Tenuta Carretta

Barolo Cannubi

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.

Red

2017

Bending Branch Winery

Newsom Vineyards, Tannat

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.

Red

2017

Benmar

Le Champ Extra Brut Sparkling Wine

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.

White

2017

Buttonwood Grove Winery

Antonia Marie Méthode Traditionelle

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.

White

2017

Champagne Rémy Massin

Millesime

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.

White

2017

Champagne Rémy Massin

Pinot Blanc Special Club Extra Brut

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.

White

2017

Champagne Rémy Massin

Pinot Noir Special Club Extra Brut

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.

White

2017

Domaine de la Rivière

Middle Reach Vineyards Pinot Noir

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.

Red

2017

Element Winery

Equilibrium Wine Farm

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!

Red

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2023

Producer

Name

Zippy, zesty, and zingy—this is an electrified Pinot Noir that crackles with energy. In total contrast to the richer Wester Reach bottling, it shows crunchy red fruits, bright red florals, and delicate Asian spice notes. Long, lean, and focused, it’s a natural partner for oysters Rockefeller or grilled branzino. This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from Dutton Ranch and was aged 15 months in 32% new French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Remond. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This Chardonnay bursts from the glass with a dazzling mix of citrus, orchard, and tropical fruit, accented by fine cedarwood and subtle vanilla. The medium-bodied palate is layered with flavors of lemon curd, lime zest, apricot, and pineapple, framed by delicate notes of pressed wildflowers. A firm spine of racy acidity provides balance and tension, supporting the wine’s generous fruit core. Sourced from 38% Flax Estate, 22% El Diablo, 16% Winners Circle, 12% Cornerstone, and 12% Charles Heintz, it was aged 11 months in 20% new French oak from Tonnelleries Remond, Chassin, and ACF, followed by 4 months of settling in tank before bottling. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker and Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

White

2023

Producer

Name

The DuMOL style demands attention—structured, firmly tannic, and crisp, these wines are built for long-term cellaring. But give them air—open in the morning and revisit in the evening—and their purity of fruit and quiet elegance reveal themselves, a reminder that these are not wines to simply pop and pour. After four hours open, this 100% Pinot Noir showed layers of dark fruit, forest pine, and black truffle charcuterie, nuanced by wet slate and robust, smoky sea-salt–dusted tannins. Smoked paprika carries through the lengthy, dynamic finish. Sourced from 28% Occidental Road, 26% Dutton Ranch, 16% Flax Estate, 16% DuMOL Estate, and 14% Placida, it was aged 15 months in 28% new French oak from Tonnelleries Ermitage and Remond. Founded in 1996, DuMOL is led by Chief Winemaker & Proprietor Andy Smith, crafting Russian River Valley releases from both estate and nearby grower-partner vineyards.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from the famed Bentrock Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA—perched right next to Radian on the literal edge of the AVA boundary—this Chardonnay from Dusty Nabor is almost comical in name alone, because the wine itself is anything but. Bentrock is, in fact, the dusty neighbor to Radian, where powdery white diatomaceous soils are relentlessly blasted by Pacific winds. The result? A Chardonnay so salty and lemon-charged you’d be forgiven for thinking it hailed from Chablis—or even a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. But no matter where your mind places it, this wine is unmistakably Sta. Rita Hills. Its lemon-lime and white flower intensity only deepens on a razor-sharp, acid-driven palate, finishing with a wet slate minerality so stark and pulsating, it’s like staring into the depths of the Milky Way.

White

2023

Producer

Name

A light, zesty, and tropical Chardonnay offering notes of quince, salted lemon peel, and candied pineapple. The creamy mid-palate adds texture and depth, leading to a stony, sea-salt–tinged finish. This 100% Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley was barrel-fermented with native yeast, underwent full malolactic fermentation, and aged 11 months in one one-year-old French oak barrel and one used French oak barrel. Debra Mathay purchased Dutcher Crossing in 2007, and it now produces more than thirty wines from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, farming 75 acres of estate vineyards.

White

2023

Producer

Name

A medium-bodied, plump, and juicy Pinot Noir with a velvety texture, sourced from four vineyards: Terra de Promissio, Cut Root, Bucher, and Placida. The inclusion of 15% whole clusters adds a touch of grip, though the tannins are well-integrated and refined. Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak, the wine shows layered baking spice character—clove, nutmeg, and a touch of dusty minerality on the finish. Harmonious and inviting, it’s an effortlessly appealing Pinot Noir that’s all too easy to drink. Debra Mathay purchased Dutcher Crossing in 2007, and it now produces more than thirty wines from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, farming 75 acres of estate vineyards.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This Albariño from the Texas High Plains is a spicy, zippy, and zingy white that bursts with crunchy orchard and citrus fruit flavors, along with delicate white flower notes and just a drizzle of honey. Creamier on the mid-palate, it shows a bit of richness from the fruit weight, which adds depth and roundness. The wine finishes with a nice, long jasmine floral note, leaving a refreshing and elegant impression.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Tasting the two Elaine Chardonnays from Calypte Vineyard provides a visual lesson in vintages—2022 was hot, 2023 was cool. The 2022 shows a deep golden hue, while the 2023 glows lemon-gold with hints of emerald shimmer. The 2023 vintage is leaner and brighter, driven by high-toned acidity that initially commands attention but soon reveals layers of lemon, lime, white florals, and tangerine oil beneath. Sourced from the winemaker’s estate vineyard, the Chardonnay was hand-harvested, barrel-fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged 17 months sur lie in 40% new French oak with bâtonnage before being bottled unfiltered. Established in 2017 by Elaine and Mark Sale, Elaine Wines produces fewer than 200 cases annually.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Calesa Vineyard, a Petaluma Gap site perched on a high plateau with northwest-facing slopes and soils flecked with gravel and quartz. Musqué Clone 809, fermented with native yeast and native malo, then aged 15 months in 30% new French oak. Absolutely riveting on the nose, with tangerine peel, orange essence, honeysuckle, and pineapple crème brûlée. All of that comes together on the palate, where more tropical fruit emerges alongside a creamy mid-palate richness and lingering exotic spice. All fruit is night-picked, whole-cluster pressed, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulfur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Some lots underwent native malolactic fermentation. Bâtonnage starts with more frequent stirring and tapers off as the wines age. Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Calesa Vineyard, a Petaluma Gap site perched on a high plateau with northwest-facing slopes and soils flecked with gravel and quartz. This Pinot Noir is entirely 115 and fermented with native yeast. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and gradually tapers off, after which the wine is racked into roughly 30% new French oak for 15 months. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Given the clone, there’s lots of structure in this wine, grippy apple-skin tannins with rich brown baking spices, red cherry fruit, tobacco, and new-wood cedar on the very pretty, very linear finish.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Malbec, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from three different vineyards in the Texas High Plains and aged for 18 months in 62% new French oak. It’s a soft, plush, medium- to full-bodied red that builds on classic Texas wild herb character—a heady mix of black tea, bay laurel, sagebrush, and scrubrush—all intertwined and framing juicy dark cherry and spiced plum fruit, with hints of pomegranate and blood orange zest. The wild herb and fruit notes linger beautifully on the finish. Pair it with barbecue slathered in rich, honey-mustard sauce, or serve slightly chilled alongside hard cheeses. Elisa Christopher Wines is owned by husband-and-wife duo Elisa and Chris, with Elisa also serving as the winemaker. Passionate about sparkling wine and their red wine program, they plan to begin planting their 43-acre estate in 2026.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine is sourced from Reddy Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Made in the traditional method, it was aged on the lees for 18 months prior to disgorging. Its luminous pink hue reveals lovely, pure aromas of red cherry, white peach, and nectarine. The mousse is frothy and vibrant, carrying great energy across the palate. Flavors of ripe cherry, apricot, raspberry, and even a hint of strawberry unfold with a striking saline-driven acidity that propels the mouthwatering finish. Elisa Christopher Wines is owned by husband-and-wife duo Elisa and Chris, with Elisa also serving as the winemaker. Passionate about sparkling wine and their red wine program, they plan to begin planting their 43-acre estate in 2026.

Rosé

2023

Producer

Name

The 2023 Ultra Brut Grenache sparkles with notes of candied melon, fennel, and wild sage, creating an aromatic profile that is both unique and enticing. Its decadent, creamy mousse adds richness, while the palate reveals impressive focus, energy, and tension.Compared to the producer’s Trebbiano sparkling, this wine offers a more precise and dynamic expression, showcasing the finesse and vibrancy of Grenache in an ultra-brut style.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Aged for 19 months in 33% new Kádár Hungarian oak, this Bordeaux-inspired red wine is something of a chameleon, leading with bright, high-toned plummy red and black fruits, hints of fragrant bay laurel, sage, and dried mint or prairie grass. On entry, it’s soft, plump, and satiny before soaring tannins rise to grip the palate, delivering real structure and depth. It resolves with an unsweetened cocoa powder intensity and a showstopping finish. Best enjoyed with roast chicken and potatoes or steak au poivre.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This Cabernet Franc from Newman Vineyard was aged 19 months in 40% new Kádár Hungarian oak. It’s an expressive and beautifully balanced wine, bursting with blue-fruit aromatics, rich cedarwood, and unsweetened cocoa powder, accented by a hint of minty freshness. Medium-bodied, it shows savory Bay laurel framing the palate, supported by lively acidity and tangy red fruit that lingers invitingly.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Cabernet Sauvignon from Newman Vineyard in Knights Valley, aged for 19 months in 33% new Kádár Hungarian oak. Made similarly to their Cabernet Franc, this Cabernet Sauvignon carries the same elegance and lighter touch, expressed through a distinctly varietal thread of blackberry, black cherry, graphite, and fine cedar spice, all lifted by red floral tones. Super juicy and impressively long, the sinewy, power-packed tannin profile never overshadows the succulent fruit but instead provides seamless support throughout.