Texas – Cristaldi & Co

Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2018

Rhinory

Keras Collection Syrah

This is a bright, energetic, and youthful Syrah—even at seven years of age when tasted. Made by Richard Kershaw at a winery in Elgin. High-toned notes of white pepper and red fruit lead, with nuances of espresso bean. Medium-bodied on the palate, with sinewy tannins, juicy red berry fruit, pressed wildflowers, and loamy earth notes, all carried by a sea spray minerality—a hallmark of the ocean breezes that cool the region at night. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in neutral oak for 18 months.

Red

2019

Blackmon

County Line Red Blend

Ferments are done in barrel, followed by ageing for up to 15 months in 20% new French oak. Attractive red and black berry fruit leads, with nuances of graphite, tobacco, elegant cedarwood aromatics, and rose petal florals. Medium-bodied on the palate, with firm, structured tannins and notes of espresso bean, all lifted by blood orange acid tension. The lengthy finish carries a touch of mesquite smoke. Grapes are sourced entirely from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA.

Red

2019

Rhinory

Keras Collection Lower Duivenhoks River Chardonnay

Produced by partner Richard Kershaw in South Africa, and aged for 16 months in a blend of new French oak and stainless steel. This Chardonnay is sourced from a 35-year-old plot comprising just seven rows of vines—an overlooked vineyard Kershaw discovered near the ocean, about 2.5 hours from Cape Town, with ancient limestone soils. Kershaw replanted the site to Chardonnay, and the result is extraordinary. There’s a beautifully Chablis-like minerality that lifts from the glass, nuanced by rich layers of citrus fruit, citrus oil, flinty minerality, and crushed almonds. The mid-palate offers wonderful density, with citrus zest, orange oil, and white flowers underscored by beautifully integrated toasty oak. Salty-chalky mineral tension carries through the finish, which is impressively long and resonant. David Bradbury, Wine Director at Rhinory, joked about tasting the best Chardonnay of your life in Texas while guests wandered by to get close to Blake the Rhino—otherworldly, just like the wine itself. A truly great wine from this remarkable collective.

White

2019

Siboney Cellars

Storm Breaker, Newsome Vineyards Merlot

The Storm Breaker from Siboney Cellars is sourced from Newsom Vineyards and is 100% Merlot, aged in 20% new French oak. Just 125 cases were made. This was the last wine I tasted, and I was blown away by it. It’s spectacular—full of plummy and cherry fruit with bright, warming spices. Medium-bodied, it shows loamy earth, cassis, and currant, with fine, velvety tannins. Really quite delicious, and showing beautifully at this stage. Siboney Cellars was founded by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona, with Barbara enrolled in the viticulture programme at Texas Tech University and Miguel raised in Texas with deep roots in both wine and family heritage. The two met in 2007, spent time in France honing their craft, and launched Siboney in earnest with their first wine vintage in 2017. Located on a limestone-terraced site in the Texas Hill Country, they have 52 acres with just 4 acres planted (so far). From the outset their goal has been to test and champion this under-explored terroir, combining serious vineyard work with a spirited, personal vision for Texas wine.

Red

2020

Calais Winery

La Cuvée du Chěne Petit Verdot

Sourced from Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this wine was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak. “It’s a variety we love,” says Ben Calais, “and we have a lot of wine nerds that love it. Sure, it’s a touch greener than the rest of the wines we make—we could have let it hang longer and get riper, but we don’t want to make all the same wines.” He’s absolutely right. The wine shows captivating black and green tea notes, smoked paprika, and charcuterie on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied with maple-cured tannins and impressive length, it’s the kind of wine you could imagine sipping in a Japanese tea garden.

Red

2020

Calais Winery

TX RG Red Wine

“RD” stands for Rive Droite, while Calais’ “RG” bottling refers to Rive Gauche—Ben Calais’ nod to the Right Bank and Left Bank of Bordeaux. Very refined, with lovely purity of cassis fruit and bright spearmint notes, layered with rich cocoa character and hints of blood orange. Ripe, supple tannins are framed by juicy blood orange acidity, all building toward a full-bodied finish. At just 12.9% alcohol, this is a remarkable effort, showing excellent Texas density balanced by vibrant tension and a long, spice-laden finish.

Red

2020

French Connection Wines

La Connection Red Wine Blend

The La Connection is their take on a GSM blend, with a touch of Petite Sirah added for depth. Grapes are gently pressed and fermented over 10–12 days, then aged for 22 months in neutral French oak. The wine is highly fragrant, with dark berry fruit, high-toned dried herbs, and dried violets, alongside white pepper and black truffle character. The medium-bodied palate is framed by fine, medium tannins and bursts with juicy blood orange, black cherry, and spiced plum fruit that lingers through the long finish.

Red

2020

Inwood Estates Vineyards

Colos

100% Tempranillo from a 4.5-acre site in the Texas High Plains, farmed at just 2 clusters per vine, yielding 0.2 tons per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns for 7–10 days, then pressed to barrel and aged for 24 months in 50% new French oak. This is a wine you’ll want to open a day in advance, corked again, to let it settle. Aromatics are loaded with super dark berry and currant fruit, rich baking spices, and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with suave, velvet-textured tannins and deep dark berry concentration layered with dark chocolate. The tannins are pronounced and assertive at the pull of the cork but soften with aeration—another reason to decant or pre-open. Excellent length, tension, and energy, with a vibrant core of acid driving freshness.

Red

2020

Limestone Terrace

Dolcetto

A bright, red-fruited Dolcetto showing candied red berry flavors with crisp apple-skin tannins and a medium-bodied richness on the palate. This red is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak.

Red

2020

Limestone Terrace

Estate Mourvedre

This is a medium-bodied yet muscular red-fruited wine kissed with wild herbs and brimming with character. Bright cherry and red currant notes mingle with hints of sun-dried thyme and sage, while firm, sappy tannins provide structure and grip. A subtle apple-skin texture and juicy, mouth-watering acidity carry the wine through to a clean, dry, and refreshingly precise finish. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression of Mourvèdre.

Red

2020

Pedernales Cellars

Gran Reserva Tempranillo

Sourced from Canted County Vineyard and aged to Rioja Gran Reserva standards in 100% new French oak, this limited production of just 75 cases will be released in December 2025. Wow—this is fantastic! One of the best wines I tasted during my trip to Texas in October 2025 for the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. It’s bold, robust, rich, and supple, with high-toned black cherry, blackberry, and fig fruit layered over dark loamy earth, dried violets, and cherry liqueur notes. Currant fruit and fine-grained tannins build across the palate, leading to a supple, dark-fruited finish with nuances of unsweetened cocoa powder and impressive intensity through the full-bodied close. Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken planted their first vineyard near Fredericksburg in the early 1990s, founding what would eventually become Pedernales Cellars, named after the nearby Pedernales River. In 2005, their children, David and Julie, joined the business, which remains family-run.

Red

2020

Reddy Wines

Ready Vineyards, TNT Tempranillo

The Tempranillo was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, while the Touriga Nacional spent 24 months in 100% neutral oak. This is the standout wine in the Reddy Wines lineup, showing lovely sweet red berry fruit, dried violets, and unsweetened cocoa powder. The palate is fresh and energetic through the mid-section, supported by powerful, robust tannins that carry a bright blood orange and dusty mineral finish. A very nice wine.

Red

2020

Rivenburgh Wine

Rustic Spur Vineyards Souzao

This is another variety that performs exceptionally well in Texas, and in the hands of John Rivenburgh it shows remarkable focus and precision. Expressive and juicy acidity drives the wine, balanced by fine, firm tannins with a distinct mineral edge. Blue fruit aromatics and cassis mingle with loamy earth, brown spice, and wet slate notes. A rock-solid wine with freshness, tension, and energy that perfectly support its rich profile.

Red

2020

Siboney Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon

This was one of the nicest wines I tasted during my impromptu visit to Siboney Cellars. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Challis (Clone 47) and Lahey (Clone 8) vineyards, it’s a great value at an SRP of $65—an impressively well-made Texas Cabernet. Dark berry fruit, loamy earth, violets, and crème de cassis lift from the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins and a salty, saline minerality on the earth-driven finish.

Red

2021

Blackmon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Fermented in barrel and aged for up to 16 months in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced entirely from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA. This is a bold expression of Cabernet from this site, with inky dark berry fruit, toasty oak spices, black cherry, graphite, and pressed wildflowers. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with mineral-laced, fine-grained tannins supported by a solid beam of mouthwatering acidity and freshness. The lengthy finish carries a touch of mesquite smoke. Impressively structured and complex, this is a wine to enjoy now and over the next decade. Made by Winemaker Tony Offill, who also makes wine for William Chris Vineyards.

Red

2021

Calais Winery

La Cuvée de L'Exposition Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8 Dell Valley Vineyards

Aged for 32–34 months in 70–80% new French oak. This is a bold, powerful, and intense Cabernet, with lovely high-toned notes of wild sage and scrub brush, layered over black cherry, spiced plum, kirsch, and dark chocolate. Hints of graham cracker crust emerge on the long, polished, and expressive finish.

Red

2021

Calais Winery

La Cuvée de la Fourche Carménère

The Carménère is picked slightly earlier than Counoise but after Cabernet Sauvignon, and is very low-yielding yet remarkably hardy, according to Ben Calais. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers a solid base of acidity, with high-toned, spicy, herbaceous notes of sagebrush. Inky dark berry fruit layers in alongside meaty nuances and black pepper, all carried through to a mineral-driven finish that brings freshness and balance to the supple tannins. Aged for up to 34 months in 60% new French oak.

Red

2021

Calais Winery

La Cuvée du Ruisseau

Sourced from two sites—Family Vineyards and Bolen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains—the 2021 vintage saw reduced Merlot yields due to a spring cold spell. Aged for 32 months in 80% once-used and 20% new French oak, this wine offers striking aromatic richness and impressive mid-palate breadth. Supple-textured tannins frame spiced plum and black raspberry flavors, layered with notes of bright sagebrush, green tobacco, and cola nut that carry through a long, expressive finish.

Red

2021

Chateau Marie LaRose

Red Wine

This wine is part of a separate label from the Gatlin family, made entirely from A-grade ENTAV clones—meticulously sourced and planted in Texas by Dan Gatlin himself. Grown in Gillespie County within the Texas Hill Country AVA, each clone yields an average of 1 ton per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns over 7–10 days, the wine is aged for 12 months in 20% new French oak followed by another 12 months in neutral barrels. The texture here is fabulous—silky yet structured—with tannins that carry a saline, Earl Grey tea-like character. Juicy, mouthwatering acidity lifts flavors of currant, spearmint, and crushed cacao nibs, layered with subtle tobacco leaf and cigar box nuances.

Red

2021

French Connection Wines

Newsom Vineyards Syrah

Newsom Vineyards is widely regarded as one of the top sites in Texas, though, as Ben Calais notes, Syrah can be finicky here and doesn’t always perform consistently. In 2021, at the winery’s request, the vineyard owners replanted the Syrah block with cleaned-up vine material. This bottling represents the final harvest from the original vines. Until the replanted block reaches full production, they are working with Syrah from a neighbouring section. This is a decidedly Texan Syrah, with ripe fruit and deep mineral tension. It shows meaty aromatics, but as Calais explains, it will never taste the same year to year due to the region’s extreme vintage variation. In 2021, conditions were relatively mild with no severe heat spikes. Syrah buds early, and in this vintage was harvested by mid-September—early for a red variety in the region. The wine is bold and rich, showing layered notes of toffee and wild herbs, balanced by vibrant blood orange acidity and a finish marked by baking spice.

Red

2021

French Connection Wines

Petite Sirah

Aged for 21 months in two-thirds new French oak puncheons. This is a delicious wine, offering full-bodied richness and spicy, sinewy tannins that meld seamlessly with flavours of blood orange, cacao nibs, and violets, leading into a long, crème de cassis–laden finish.

Red

2021

Grape Creek Vineyards

Mosaic Red Blend

The Mosaic is the winery’s classic Bordeaux blend and typically includes all five Bordeaux varieties, though this year’s weather was less accommodating. The wine is medium to full-bodied, showing ripe cherry, blackberry, and black raspberry fruit layered with notes of leather, tobacco, sagebrush, and black tea, finishing with a delicate floral lift. 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).

Red

2021

Invention Vineyards

Soleluce Super Tuscan

The Soleluce is a crunchy, red-fruited, zesty wine with rich forest berry and underbrush notes in a medium-bodied expression. Currant fruit and subtle tobacco spice nuances carry through to the fine 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).

Red

2021

Inwood Estates Vineyards

Magellam Red Wine

A staple of the Inwood Estates lineup since 2006, this wine represents an Americanized reinterpretation of a Bordeaux blend—crafted with domestic clones rather than ENTAV selections, which were not yet available at the time. Grown at low yields of 1.5 tons per acre, the wine is built on super dark fruit tones layered with tobacco spice and dark chocolate. Blackberry fruit leads the aromatic profile alongside wild herbs, rich toasty cedarwood, dried fennel, and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied on the palate with sinewy tannins, it finishes with notes of graham cracker crust and warm baking spices.

Red

2021

Jenblossom Cellars

Cabernet Franc

This wine shows a dark-fruited nose with loamy earth and blue fruit so characteristic of this area. Wonderful dark forest and savory tones mingle with dark chocolate notes, while firm, fine-grained tannins build through 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).

Red

2021

Kerrville Hills

Pepper Jack Vineyard Teroldego

From the Pepper Jack Vineyard, this Teroldego is full-bodied, deeply flavored, and unapologetically muscular. Inky dark fruit, black currant, saddle leather, and black olive pit dominate the nose and palate, underscored by savory notes of tobacco, leather, and olive tapenade. The tannins are powerful and structured, carrying the wine through a finish that lingers well over a minute. Talk about your ultimate barbecue wine.

Red

2021

Rhinory

Keras Collection Cabernet Sauvignon

Fermented and aged for three years in 100% new French low-toast barrels. Made by David Finlayson in Stellenbosch. It offers fragrant red and black fruit layered with pressed flowers and earthy notes. Medium-bodied and approachable, with fine, grippy tannins that resolve nicely thanks to mouthwatering acidity. Serve it with a slight chill alongside barbecue.

Red

2021

Siboney Cellars

Challis Vineyard, Malbec

Malbec from the Challis Vineyard, planted on brown-dirt soils and farmed and owned by Mike West. Clones 9 and 10 were fermented and aged separately before being blended together. 500 cases produced. 100% Malbec. Dark berry fruit leads, supported by cocoa powder and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet supple tannins and a dry, focused finish.

Red

2021

Signor

Sangiovese

Fermented in open-top vessels and aged for 18–24 months in mostly neutral French oak, this wine is light and red-fruited, showing high-toned, dusty minerality with firm, taut tannins that build grip and dryness on the finish. It’s a lean, structured expression that will likely gain volume and depth in future vintages with winemaker Michael Barton now at the helm—definitely one to watch for subsequent vintages.

Red

2021

Slate Theory Winery

Estate Mourvèdre

Aged for 26 months in 55% new French oak. Bold and brooding, with muscular tannins and fantastic dark berry fruit layered with leather, wild herb nuances, and rose petal notes. Plush, velvet-textured tannins are laced with crunchy acidity, leading to a lengthy finish accented by hints of incense and clove.

Red

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2018

Producer

Name

This is a bright, energetic, and youthful Syrah—even at seven years of age when tasted. Made by Richard Kershaw at a winery in Elgin. High-toned notes of white pepper and red fruit lead, with nuances of espresso bean. Medium-bodied on the palate, with sinewy tannins, juicy red berry fruit, pressed wildflowers, and loamy earth notes, all carried by a sea spray minerality—a hallmark of the ocean breezes that cool the region at night. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in neutral oak for 18 months.

Red

2019

Producer

Name

Ferments are done in barrel, followed by ageing for up to 15 months in 20% new French oak. Attractive red and black berry fruit leads, with nuances of graphite, tobacco, elegant cedarwood aromatics, and rose petal florals. Medium-bodied on the palate, with firm, structured tannins and notes of espresso bean, all lifted by blood orange acid tension. The lengthy finish carries a touch of mesquite smoke. Grapes are sourced entirely from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA.

Red

2019

Producer

Name

Produced by partner Richard Kershaw in South Africa, and aged for 16 months in a blend of new French oak and stainless steel. This Chardonnay is sourced from a 35-year-old plot comprising just seven rows of vines—an overlooked vineyard Kershaw discovered near the ocean, about 2.5 hours from Cape Town, with ancient limestone soils. Kershaw replanted the site to Chardonnay, and the result is extraordinary. There’s a beautifully Chablis-like minerality that lifts from the glass, nuanced by rich layers of citrus fruit, citrus oil, flinty minerality, and crushed almonds. The mid-palate offers wonderful density, with citrus zest, orange oil, and white flowers underscored by beautifully integrated toasty oak. Salty-chalky mineral tension carries through the finish, which is impressively long and resonant. David Bradbury, Wine Director at Rhinory, joked about tasting the best Chardonnay of your life in Texas while guests wandered by to get close to Blake the Rhino—otherworldly, just like the wine itself. A truly great wine from this remarkable collective.

White

2019

Producer

Name

The Storm Breaker from Siboney Cellars is sourced from Newsom Vineyards and is 100% Merlot, aged in 20% new French oak. Just 125 cases were made. This was the last wine I tasted, and I was blown away by it. It’s spectacular—full of plummy and cherry fruit with bright, warming spices. Medium-bodied, it shows loamy earth, cassis, and currant, with fine, velvety tannins. Really quite delicious, and showing beautifully at this stage. Siboney Cellars was founded by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona, with Barbara enrolled in the viticulture programme at Texas Tech University and Miguel raised in Texas with deep roots in both wine and family heritage. The two met in 2007, spent time in France honing their craft, and launched Siboney in earnest with their first wine vintage in 2017. Located on a limestone-terraced site in the Texas Hill Country, they have 52 acres with just 4 acres planted (so far). From the outset their goal has been to test and champion this under-explored terroir, combining serious vineyard work with a spirited, personal vision for Texas wine.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

Sourced from Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this wine was aged for 32 months in 30% new French oak. “It’s a variety we love,” says Ben Calais, “and we have a lot of wine nerds that love it. Sure, it’s a touch greener than the rest of the wines we make—we could have let it hang longer and get riper, but we don’t want to make all the same wines.” He’s absolutely right. The wine shows captivating black and green tea notes, smoked paprika, and charcuterie on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied with maple-cured tannins and impressive length, it’s the kind of wine you could imagine sipping in a Japanese tea garden.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

“RD” stands for Rive Droite, while Calais’ “RG” bottling refers to Rive Gauche—Ben Calais’ nod to the Right Bank and Left Bank of Bordeaux. Very refined, with lovely purity of cassis fruit and bright spearmint notes, layered with rich cocoa character and hints of blood orange. Ripe, supple tannins are framed by juicy blood orange acidity, all building toward a full-bodied finish. At just 12.9% alcohol, this is a remarkable effort, showing excellent Texas density balanced by vibrant tension and a long, spice-laden finish.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

The La Connection is their take on a GSM blend, with a touch of Petite Sirah added for depth. Grapes are gently pressed and fermented over 10–12 days, then aged for 22 months in neutral French oak. The wine is highly fragrant, with dark berry fruit, high-toned dried herbs, and dried violets, alongside white pepper and black truffle character. The medium-bodied palate is framed by fine, medium tannins and bursts with juicy blood orange, black cherry, and spiced plum fruit that lingers through the long finish.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

100% Tempranillo from a 4.5-acre site in the Texas High Plains, farmed at just 2 clusters per vine, yielding 0.2 tons per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns for 7–10 days, then pressed to barrel and aged for 24 months in 50% new French oak. This is a wine you’ll want to open a day in advance, corked again, to let it settle. Aromatics are loaded with super dark berry and currant fruit, rich baking spices, and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with suave, velvet-textured tannins and deep dark berry concentration layered with dark chocolate. The tannins are pronounced and assertive at the pull of the cork but soften with aeration—another reason to decant or pre-open. Excellent length, tension, and energy, with a vibrant core of acid driving freshness.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

A bright, red-fruited Dolcetto showing candied red berry flavors with crisp apple-skin tannins and a medium-bodied richness on the palate. This red is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

This is a medium-bodied yet muscular red-fruited wine kissed with wild herbs and brimming with character. Bright cherry and red currant notes mingle with hints of sun-dried thyme and sage, while firm, sappy tannins provide structure and grip. A subtle apple-skin texture and juicy, mouth-watering acidity carry the wine through to a clean, dry, and refreshingly precise finish. It’s a vibrant, energetic expression of Mourvèdre.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

Sourced from Canted County Vineyard and aged to Rioja Gran Reserva standards in 100% new French oak, this limited production of just 75 cases will be released in December 2025. Wow—this is fantastic! One of the best wines I tasted during my trip to Texas in October 2025 for the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. It’s bold, robust, rich, and supple, with high-toned black cherry, blackberry, and fig fruit layered over dark loamy earth, dried violets, and cherry liqueur notes. Currant fruit and fine-grained tannins build across the palate, leading to a supple, dark-fruited finish with nuances of unsweetened cocoa powder and impressive intensity through the full-bodied close. Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken planted their first vineyard near Fredericksburg in the early 1990s, founding what would eventually become Pedernales Cellars, named after the nearby Pedernales River. In 2005, their children, David and Julie, joined the business, which remains family-run.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

The Tempranillo was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, while the Touriga Nacional spent 24 months in 100% neutral oak. This is the standout wine in the Reddy Wines lineup, showing lovely sweet red berry fruit, dried violets, and unsweetened cocoa powder. The palate is fresh and energetic through the mid-section, supported by powerful, robust tannins that carry a bright blood orange and dusty mineral finish. A very nice wine.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

This is another variety that performs exceptionally well in Texas, and in the hands of John Rivenburgh it shows remarkable focus and precision. Expressive and juicy acidity drives the wine, balanced by fine, firm tannins with a distinct mineral edge. Blue fruit aromatics and cassis mingle with loamy earth, brown spice, and wet slate notes. A rock-solid wine with freshness, tension, and energy that perfectly support its rich profile.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

This was one of the nicest wines I tasted during my impromptu visit to Siboney Cellars. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Challis (Clone 47) and Lahey (Clone 8) vineyards, it’s a great value at an SRP of $65—an impressively well-made Texas Cabernet. Dark berry fruit, loamy earth, violets, and crème de cassis lift from the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins and a salty, saline minerality on the earth-driven finish.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Fermented in barrel and aged for up to 16 months in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced entirely from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA. This is a bold expression of Cabernet from this site, with inky dark berry fruit, toasty oak spices, black cherry, graphite, and pressed wildflowers. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with mineral-laced, fine-grained tannins supported by a solid beam of mouthwatering acidity and freshness. The lengthy finish carries a touch of mesquite smoke. Impressively structured and complex, this is a wine to enjoy now and over the next decade. Made by Winemaker Tony Offill, who also makes wine for William Chris Vineyards.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Aged for 32–34 months in 70–80% new French oak. This is a bold, powerful, and intense Cabernet, with lovely high-toned notes of wild sage and scrub brush, layered over black cherry, spiced plum, kirsch, and dark chocolate. Hints of graham cracker crust emerge on the long, polished, and expressive finish.

Red

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2022

2022 Slate Theory Winery The Zealot

Still

Red

N/A

2023

2023 Augusta Vin Sirens Brut Estate Sparkling Wine

Sparkling

White

N/A

2023

2023 Becker Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve

-

White

$

2023

2023 Becker Vineyards Montepulciano

-

Red

$

2023

2023 Calais Winery Sauvignon Blanc

Still

White

$

2023

2023 French Connection Wines Picpoul Blanc

Still

White

$

2023

2023 Invention Vineyards Imaginada Albarino

-

White

$

2023

2023 K Estate Estate Tempranillo

-

Red

$$

2023

2023 K Estate The Bridge Red Blend

-

Red

$$

2023

2023 Kerrville Hills Cinsault Rosé

-

Rosé

$

2023

2023 Kerrville Hills Rustic Spur Vineyards Tannat

-

Red

$

2023

2023 Kerrville Hills Viognier

-

White

$

2023

2023 La Velentía Blanc de Blancs

-

White

$$

2023

2023 La Velentía Fire Oak Vineyard Red Blend

-

Red

$

2023

2023 Lost Oak Winery Viognier

-

White

$

2023

2023 Meredith Margaret Wines Seifer Vineyard Sangiovese

-

Red

$