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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2024

Mendes & Symington

Contacto Alvarinho

The plethora of citrus aromas is wild, but the rest of this structured, mineral, and lengthy bargain is elegant and refined. One of the more unique renderings of this variety that you’re likely to encounter, it sports hints of white tea along with its abundant lemony flavors. – J.R.

2024

Mendes & Symington

Contacto Loureiro

A jaunty—and lovely—take on one of Portugal’s under-appreciated white varieties (at least in terms of showing off its more sophisticated side), after handpicking this sipper spends three months on the fine lees with regular batonnage. Floral and citric, the jasmine and saline notes show impressive purity, while the palate balances elegance and crunchy acidity in equal measures. – J.R.

2024

Pisoni

Lucy Gamay Noir

60% whole cluster pressing gives this charming, bouyant Gamay a cheerful lift. It’s bright and fruity, packed with aromas and flavors of cranberries, cherry, berry compote, and lavender florals. While undeniably fun, there’s richness to the ripe fruit flavor, and elegance to the tightly wound acid core. Delightful. – J.R.

2024

Pisoni

Lucy Pico Bianco

Blended from Arroyo Secco and Santa Lucia Highlands fruit, this blend provides a lovely, fruity take on Alsatian-inspired whites. Dominated by ripe citrus and tropical fruit flavors, this is a floral and inviting sipper with piquant acidity and a pleasant hint of astringent structure that wraps the palate up almost like a neat little decorative bow. – J.R.

2024

Quinta da Fonte Souto

Florao White

This Symington project is quickly becoming one of Alentejo’s most impressive producers. Here, they’ve blended Arinto and Verdelho into a mineral, citric, and vivacious white (aged six months in stainless steel vats). Just-ripe tropical fruit flavors and excellent freshness mark the palate, leading into a heady, floral finish. – J.R.

2024

Rodney Strong

Sauvignon Blanc

Aged 63% in 400L French oak barrels (85% new), 36% in stainless steel, and 1% in a ceramic egg, this white blends all the resulting textures in a fun way, upping the herbal tinge notes, fresh citrus aromas, and deliciously ripe tropical fruit flavors. – J.R.

NV

Dow's

Ten Year Old Tawny Porto

This succulent, spicy 10-year is nothing if not consistent. Rich toffee and vanilla bean aromas entice, while the caramel, toasted nut, and dried fig and cherry flavors make it a perfect match for a slice of pecan pie. – J.R.

NV

Piper Sonoma

Brut

Vivacious, with lively and lovely green apple aromas and flavors, and impressive length for the asking price. With Méthode Traditionnelle production and 7% aged reserve added, this sparkler is an easy and affordable way to upscale your weekday sipping. – J.R.

NV

W&J Graham's

Six Grapes Special Vila Velha Edition Reserve Port

This is a Reserve with the “seriousness” factor dialed up a notch. The fruit is sourced from Quinta da Vila Velha, purchased by James Yumington in the late 1980s. Deep, dark, and downright brooding, this shows hints of resin, mint, dried black figs, mocha, and succulent blackcurrants. The palate carries both power and refinement, almost like a young Vintage Port. – J.R.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2022

Producer

Name

This site, named “hole of the priest”, refers to land previously belonging to the church, with a vineyard planted at the base of two adjoining steep hillsiodes. It leaeds with very dark cherry and dried roses, then presents aromas of vibrant red fruits. The palate is earthy, funky, chewy, and structured, leading to a mineral-tinged finish. – J.R.

2022

Producer

Name

There’s a lot to like about this white, sourced from a steep, riverside vineyard. A perky nose is abundant with white flowers, ripe citrus, jasmine, underripe pineapple, pear, and yellow and green apples. 9 months in new and second-use French oak lend a hint of toast tro the racy palate, which shows flavors of ripe lemons and a chalky minerality, leading to a long citrus-peel finish. – J.R.

2022

Producer

Name

From 30+ year old, bush-trained vines comes this intriguing and mineral Sauvignon, aged 12 months in used French oak barrels. Peach blossom and tropical fruit notes mingle with ripe grapefruit and a touch of hay on the nose. In the mouth it starts quite rounded, with developed citrus, grilled orange peel, ripe yelow apple, and mandarin orange flavors. A saline hint adds complexity and nuance. – J.R.

2022

2023

Producer

Name

Spicy and mineral, with rhubarb, cherry, and raspberry aromas and flavors, topped off with an almost minty herbal spice. Nice balance of roundness and acidity here! – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

A dark and brooding Pinot with intense boysenberry, plum, and black raspberry fruits. Hints of leather, turned earth, and tobacco and tea leaves join the fray on the wonderful nose. It’s silky and substantial, but clearly has a mineral edge (and great structure) under all of that ripe palate fruitiness. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from a vineyard on a low riverside bench, this white is big, but also refreshingly lemony. Everything feels wonderfully dialed up in this big-fruited Chardonnay. So it’s all on balance, from its warm and spicy aromatics to its rich peach flavors. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

There’s a LOT of bang for the buck in this organic, hand-harvested Chardonnay from one of Argentina’s most consistent producers. Peach, pear, apples, and light spice abound, with a balanced mouthfeel. Talk about a major value. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from high elevation vineyards, this shows excellent balance and quality for the price. Bright citrus, rich tropical fruits, and a hint of honeysuckle all make for an easy and enjoyable quaffer. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

A mineral, stony edge, and a hint of bitter almond drive this white’s fine, ripe citrus aromas and flavors. The zestiness lasts long into the finish, making this a great match for summer salads. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

This flagship red’s grapes are manually selected, with about 20% whole cluster and agewd 6 months in cement tanks and 12 months in large oak barrels. Incense spices, red fruits, and greener herb notes with licorice hints lead the nose. The palate is chewy with black fruit, abundant spices, and more structure than in previous vintages. Great stuff. – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Brisighella, this is a take-no-prisoners Sangiovese that offers lots of dark currant and cherry fruit aromas, along with prominent dried herb spice notes. Fleshy, fruity, and full of body, it’s a mouthful that has impressive structure throughout, and needs some time (or lots of protein). – J.R.

2023

Producer

Name

What a lovely nose: blossoms, quince, ripe lemons… A delight to sniff. Good minerality balances an ample body that carries a good bit of structure to it, augmented by notes of honey and herbs, and ripe citrus flavors. – J.R.

2023

2023

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from a single vineyard with extrmely thin, slate subsoils, this Cab Franc sees 11 months aging in large format oak and 6 months in concrete. Tons of herbal spice notes kick it off, with citrus peel, lavender, and a fantastic purity of dark plummy fruit. The palate is gorgeous—spice, tension, dusty but elegant tannins, black fruit depth, and blood orange acidity. Irresistibly pretty, mineral, energetic, rich, and delicious. – J.R.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2022

2022 Ronchi di Castelluccio Buco del Prete

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Ronchi di Castelluccio Ronco de Re

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Ronchi di Castelluccio Sottovento

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Tenuta Licinia Sasso di Fata

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Cattleya Alma de Cattleya Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Cattleya Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Organic Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Domaine Bousquet Unoaked Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Duchman Family Winery Vermentino

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Madrevite C’osa

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Poggio della Dogana Arlesiana

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Poggio della Dogana Belladama

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Tenuta Licinia L’Isolato

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Tenuta Licinia Montepolli

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Tenuta Licinia Onda

Still Wine

$$

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