Cristaldi Scores

Producer
Producer
More
Country
Country
More
Vintage
Vintage
More

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

In 2021, this marked the first year the estate produced this wine. The fruit is wonderfully bright, pure, and crunchy, with lifted white-pepper aromatics and a burst of rose-petal fragrance. It builds across the palate with juicy blood-orange acidity and perfectly integrated cocoa-powder tannins. The blend is 49% UV-VR clone, 34% Pommard, and 17% Swan. It’s an absolutely fabulous wine—the kind you want to enjoy throughout an entire meal for its bright acidity and tension supporting such beautifully pure fruit. Aged 11 months in roughly one-third new French oak.

A blend of owner Jeff Bedrosian’s two favorite clones, Pommard and Swan. I love the concentration and freshness here—it’s packed with lush fruit and velvety textures, and it’s absolutely delicious on its own, full-flavored and generous. The wine was aged 11 months in 37% new French oak before bottling. The name refers to the two clones and the forces they represent: Pommard, with its darker fruit and earth-driven depth, and Swan, which brings a more feminine profile of spice and brighter fruit tones. Think of them as yin and yang. They complement each other beautifully in this blend, which shows lovely high-toned spice and that wonderful Pommard richness on the palate. I’d happily drink this on its own, but it would also pair well with braised meats or a salad scattered with pomegranate seeds to echo its juicy, earthy pop.

From the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon AVA comes this unfiltered 2021 Syrah—just 72 cases made. It’s a vivid, layered, and beautifully perfumed expression of the variety, laced with rose petal and violet pastille aromatics that leap from the glass. The palate offers deep mid-palate concentration, with ironstone minerality at its core, accented by spearmint, wild sage, and savory spice. Firm, taut tannins carry a mineral edge, perfectly balanced by saline-acid tension that extends through the long, focused finish.

A full-throttle, ripe, and boldly expressive Petite Sirah, this wine delivers a rush of blue and black cherry fruit layered with spiced plum, all wrapped in firm, robust tannins. The palate is richly textured, with cedarwood, walnut husk, and cherry pit nuances adding savory depth. Earthy undertones and wet slate minerality drive the long, spicy finish, accented by dried rose petals and violets. A rollercoaster of power and nuance.

Brooding, expressive, and impressively focused, this blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Grenache draws from three distinctive vineyard sites—Stolpman (clay loam and limestone), John Sebastiano (Linne clay loam), and Larner (sand)—each selected for its unique soil series. The wine opens with a rush of pure black cherry and blackberry fruit, mingling with dark plum, deep forest underbrush, bark, dark chocolate, rich loamy earth, and roasted espresso bean. Aromatics build with momentum, gaining lift and energy on the palate, where gorgeously perfumed violet and rose petal notes emerge. In 2021, the tannins are particularly gentle, velvety, and elongated, wrapped in a dusting of white pepper and tobacco leaf. The finish is vivid and complex, with ripe, muddled farmers market–fresh blueberries, a pulse of blood orange acidity, and savory notes of black truffle, tar, and incense. Wow. As winemaker Brandon Sparks-Gillis explains, the idea behind Dragonette’s MJM Syrah has always been simple: “The sum is greater than its parts.” That ethos has guided every vintage since the inaugural release in 2007.

This tart, red-fruited Grenache offers quiet charm and slow-building complexity. Bright cherry notes are laced with vanilla-scented cedarwood and a hint of agave nectar, unfolding on a medium-bodied palate framed by gentle tannins and chalky minerality. A subtle smokiness lingers on the finish

A powerful, succulent, and well-built white, brimming with aromas and flavors of grilled citrus and peaches, a bit of cream, and plenty of spice and power. It feels relatively big, but a beautiful example of the style. – J.R.
Made in the méthode champenoise style from the Riverbench Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, this sparkling wine—affectionately dubbed “goat bubbles”—leaps from the glass with inviting aromas of yellow peach, poached pear, and yellow apple, all mingling like orchard fruit jam on warm, buttered croissants. The palate is enveloped in a luxuriously creamy mousse, carrying those rich fruit tones with elegance. A wet slate finish adds mineral complexity.
This 2021 Cabernet Franc from Garré was aged for 20 months in 33% new Eastern European oak. It’s a very pretty wine—soft, approachable, and full of charm—with black currant fruit, cola notes, and hints of underbrush building across the medium-bodied palate. Gentle tannins glide into a long finish marked by black sea salt, Earl Grey tea, and pressed violets. A gentle giant, and all too easy to drink.

100% Primitivo aged for 20 months in 25% new European oak from Garre Vineyard. This is a super juicy, blue-fruited, and downright delicious wine, with cola nut nuances, layers of minty freshness, and savory charcuterie all building on the medium-bodied palate. Granular tannins carry a coffee-toffee quality, adding texture and depth. A total crowd-pleaser—perfect for weeknights, the start of a meal, and, naturally, with pizza.

Blood oranges, tart cranberries, oak, cinnamon, black cherries, camphor, and fresh green herbs… this red is packing a lot of complexity and elegance on the nose. In the mouth, it shows impressive, savory meatiness, while never once losing its edgy freshness. Aged 15 months on the lees (with 40% new French oak), with just 578 cases made. – J.R.

From Hitching Post founders Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley—who’ve been at it since 1979—comes this 2021 Pinot Noir, a lovely, easy-drinking, and beautifully balanced wine from the renowned Fiddlestix Vineyard. It’s juicy and expressive, with velvet-textured tannins framing ripe cherry and blackberry fruit. Accents of fine cedar and bright acidity lend freshness and lift to the medium-bodied palate, which resolves in a smooth, satisfying finish.

You can’t miss this wine in a lineup—it proudly sports a bright green Sideways 20-Year Anniversary sticker across the top. If you know the film and the original book by author Rex Pickett, you already understand the significance. If not, pause here, Google Sideways, then return—better yet, read my Decanter article, “A Drink With: Rex Pickett,” for the full story. As for the wine itself, it’s a juicy, delicious, and highly drinkable Pinot Noir with soft, supple tannins and plump, ripe black cherry and plum fruit. A bone-dry finish is laced with brown baking spices and cedarwood accents. Enjoy it with a well-salted ribeye—or solo while rewatching Paul Giamatti’s now-iconic Pinot-fueled unraveling performance.

This is the first Pinot Noir Innumero has produced from Bacigalupi Vineyard, made entirely from Wente Clone. Fermented in stainless steel, then pressed to barrel and aged in 50% new French oak. The nose is wonderfully alluring — candied cherry fruit, warm baking spices, blood orange, and cocoa-powder notes — all building into a medium- to full-bodied palate. Excellent fruit weight and depth, with dark-berry richness, spice, a touch of leather, and loamy earth. A nicely complex and thoroughly delicious Pinot Noir.

This vineyard selection Syrah—crafted from the winery’s favorite lots—is a commanding expression of the grape, with the volume unapologetically turned up to 11. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, it leads with inky blackberry and blueberry fruit wrapped in muscular tannins that grip with purpose and stay the course. There’s structure and tension, but also lift—thanks to a line of saline-laced acidity that brings freshness and clarity. Complex layers of black sage, candied violets, rose petal, and rose stem add floral dimension, while a dusting of white pepper completes the finish.

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).

Syrah cofermented with a touch of Viognier in the Northern Rhône tradition, Wild Flower lives up to its name. Aromas of wild herbs and wild black raspberries leap from the glass, while the palate delivers sultry layers of savory red fruit interwoven with hints of leather, rose petal, vanilla, pepper, and liqueur. A bold, aromatic, and expressive red with plenty of personality. -JR

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a collaboration of six Livermore winemakers who come together each year to craft a unique blend, with each contributing their own interpretation using wines from their cellars. In this expression, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec to create a rich, harmonious red. The nose is peppery and floral, with savory blackcurrant aromas, while the palate delivers bold flavor with impressive balance—powerful, polished, and delicious. -JR

100% Syrah sourced from Clark Vineyard and Dante Robere Vineyard. A bold and juicy red with white pepper, kirsch, and expressive cedarwood aromatics. Supple, plump tannins support juicy blueberry and blackberry compote, layered with more white pepper, violets, cherry coulis, and graphite. A hint of black truffle charcuterie rounds out the medium-bodied finish.

Cofermented from all five traditional Bordeaux varieties, this blend comes from a field planting of less than an acre in the Davis Vineyard. Intensely savory and deeply expressive, it opens with bold aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, dried herbs, oak, and a touch of vanilla extract. The palate is supple and rich, continuing the savory thread with ripe, plummy dark fruit, impressive concentration, and a lift of blood orange acidity. -JR

Ali‘i is the Hawaiian word for royalty—king, queen, noble—and this Grenache lives up to its name. It’s a wine of presence, crafted for those unafraid of boldness. At 15.2% alcohol, it flexes with power and richness, yet maintains a remarkable sense of balance. The palate is drenched in juicy red berry fruit, layered with cherrywood and mahogany undertones, toasted almond, and a soft veil of brown baking spices. There’s a subtle sweetness reminiscent of toffee and espresso, framed by supple, sap-laced tannins that glide rather than grip.

Picked in the second week of September, the base wine from this site is somewhat ironically among the last to come in. Made using the traditional method, unfiltered, with high lees contact, and aged en tirage in barrel for two years. Winemaker Julian Hausseppian believes a shorter tirage suits his California-grown fruit, as ripeness comes naturally from the warm sunshine, while foot-treading and extended lees contact contribute the richness he wants. The wine shows wonderful depth and a saline–acid tension, with wet-stone character, bright citrus and orchard fruit, and warm baking spices adding richness through the mid-palate. The finish is long, lifted, and thoroughly enticing.
My absolute favourite white from the Landmark lineup I tasted for this Sonoma Report—which spanned mostly 2021 and 2022 wines, with a few 2023s. Here, the sea-spray mineral pop of this site and AVA mingles beautifully with zesty citrus and ripe orchard fruit, all balanced on the palate by a creamy mid-centre so characteristic of the Sta. Rita Hills. It finishes with excellent length and tension. A very fine wine, effortlessly enjoyable on its own. Situated near the north-western edge of Santa Barbara County’s prestigious Sta. Rita Hills appellation, the sourced blocks provide small-clustered Dijon clones 76 and 96 for this Chardonnay. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, then aged for 14 months in French oak (30% new).
This ridgetop vineyard is fully exposed to the afternoon winds funnelling in from the Pacific through the “gap,” a defining feature of the Petaluma Gap viticultural area. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine is aged for 14 months in French oak (33% new). One of the freshest whites I tasted from Landmark for my inaugural Sonoma Report on Cristaldi & Co., that brightness carries straight onto the palate. Lemon peel and lemon curd mingle with toasty oak spices, while candied ginger and poached, spiced pear drive the creamy mid-palate. The finish brings a wave of sea-spray minerality and a touch of tannic grip—likely a function of the thicker skins from this wind-lashed site—alongside cool wet-rock notes balanced by more decadent toasty-oak accents.
So characteristic of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, this Pinot brims with warm raspberry compote and candied cherry fruit, wrapped around a beautifully creamy, dense mid-palate. Sumptuous toasty oak, flinty minerals and crisp acid tension give it shape and lift. Fermented 100% destemmed in small fermenters and punched down twice daily. Barrel-aged for 10 months in French oak (35% new).

This 2021 Barbera was fermented in stainless steel with punchdowns and aged for 30 months in large 500-liter puncheons—about 25% new, primarily French oak with a touch of American. Blending occurred just prior to bottling. The wine opens with fragrant red berry fruit, wet stone minerality, and dusty wild herbs. On the palate, sweet tea–like tannins frame notes of rose petal and rich cedarwood.

A blend of 37% Graciano, 34% Monastrell, 23% Tempranillo, and 6% Garnacha, this wine bursts from the glass with dark cherry, blackberry, and smoky cedarwood accents. On the palate, those aromatics deepen with crushed cocoa nib nuances, red berry fruit dusted with mocha spice, savory dried thyme, and espresso bean. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins framing a bold and satisfying finish.

Dusty red berry fruit and a sourdough-like baking spice lift from the glass. On the palate, this Tempranillo shows a medium-bodied presence, with red currant and tart black cherry intensity. The finish brings in toffee and espresso bean nuances. Tart, bracing, and your best friend for Bolognese.

This is a muscular, savory Pinot Noir that delivers high-toned aromas of violets, charcuterie, black olive, and herbes de Provence. Firm, powerful tannins provide a solid framework, gradually melting into a core of blood orange acidity and white pepper nuances.

From Bien Nacido Vineyard’s iconic Z Block—known as “The Original Hillside”—this Syrah marries elegance with tremendous power. The mid-palate reveals concentrated, juicy dark cherry and plum fruit, layered with notes of cocoa powder, strawberry-rhubarb compote, and candied violets. Fine-grained tannins, carrying a refined bergamot tea quality, are supported by saline-driven acidity that provides lift and tension. The finish is long, spicy, and savory, underpinned by a deep mineral core.

1 2 3 4 25 26 27

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

This wonderfully well-knit and expressive Pinot Noir from the iconic Fiddlestix Vineyard is bright, juicy, and lifted, with savory deep forest pine accents. Gentle tannins frame notes of salted dark chocolate and ironstone minerality, carrying through a spicy, medium-bodied finish.

The 2021 Brander Reserve is a savory, layered Cabernet Sauvignon, medium- to full-bodied, with red and black fruit woven throughout. A host of savory notes—walnut husk, tobacco leaf, and cigar box—intermingle with dried sage, finishing on a deep, earthy register of loamy soil, black olive, and licorice. Super savory and best enjoyed alongside herb-dusted pork loin or espresso-rubbed roasted meats.

Kærskov Vineyard, located in the center of the Los Olivos District AVA, is a high-density site planted 6’ x 3’ on clay-loam and river-stone soils. Ryan Carr planted the vineyard in 2014 and continues to farm it today. This Syrah was aged for 20 months in one-year-old French oak. Dark berry fruit is interwoven with anise, fennel seed, and cedarwood spice, all building across the full-bodied palate with chalky tannins and a lingering charcuterie-and-dried-violet finish.

This Sangiovese comes from two vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley—Woodstock Vineyard and Open Gate Vineyard—both farmed by Carr’s winemaker and owner, Ryan Carr. The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. It’s an immensely pleasing, full-flavored, and fairly robust Sangiovese, with powerful, crisp tannins and plenty of inky dark fruit, loamy earth, black truffle umami, and tobacco notes leading to a long, earthy, and spicy finish.

This 100% Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in 50% new Hungarian and French oak. Sourced entirely from Clone 1 vines at White Cat Vineyard in the Livermore Valley AVA. A pretty and elegant expression of Cabernet Franc, offering a refined nose of currant fruit, tobacco, turned earth, and dried wildflowers. Medium-bodied on entry, with a wealth of juicy currant and spiced plum fruit, layered with fine tobacco, hints of vanilla, and pops of new cedarwood, all framed by expressive acidity on the refreshing finish.

Brightly aromatic, showing expressive white flowers and lemon verbena. Full malolactic fermentation and aging in 30% new French oak add richness to the citrus, apple, and pear fruit, while a hint of well-integrated cedarwood spice comes across more like salted Marcona almonds. The finish builds with a lovely lemon-oil richness. From Bootlegger’s Hill, with three rows of Montrachet clone from Little Boot Vineyard blended in.
This red-fruited, spice-driven Grenache from Ballard Canyon AVA offers plenty of intrigue and structure. Juicy strawberry and dusty rose lead on the nose, while the palate is framed by firm, meaty tannins that etch themselves into every crevice. Sweet paprika and rose stem emerge on the long, savory finish. A compelling wine—ideal alongside hard cheeses and herb-laced pastas.

A lovely expression of Syrah, this wine offers elegant layers of black cherry, blackberry, and plum, lifted by rose petal and rhubarb aromatics. Cherry pit and crushed violet notes emerge on the medium-bodied palate, framed by velvety tannins laced with floral nuance. Dark salted chocolate rises on the juicy, lingering finish, adding depth and savor to this polished and expressive red.

“Colluvial” refers to the rugged, rocky soil found in the world’s great vineyards, and this savory-spiced Pinot Noir certainly reflects that terroir-driven intensity. At this stage of development, the wine leans into its earthier side: notes of black tea, tobacco leaf, sage, and spearmint take the lead, while the once-vivid red berry fruit has mellowed into something subtler and more contemplative—like the woody pit of a cherry or apricot, with just a whisper of its former juiciness. There’s a convergence of mineral tension and spice here that feels deeply grounded, quietly seductive. If I’m being honest, this is my favorite moment in a wine’s life—when it sheds its youthful brightness and enters a more soulful, savory phase. Enjoy this now and over the next 4-7 years.

“Colluvial” refers to the rugged, rocky soil found in many of the world’s great vineyards, and this decadent Chardonnay lives up to its name. It’s a study in minerality, offering the tactile impression of smooth river stone and the bracing tension of freshly squeezed lemon meeting a bite of salted, candied lemon rind. Fragrant notes of toasty oak and buttered croissant weave through the mid-palate, joined by a flicker of fresh ginger. All of it builds to a focused, acid-driven finish.
Captain Joe’s Petite Sirah was harvested from Concannon’s estate Block 11 and Block 12, located on the north side of South Livermore Avenue where it intersects with Concannon Boulevard. These blocks feature austere, gravelly, and rocky topsoil that allows for excellent drainage and low water retention, encouraging vine roots to dive deep into nutrient-rich subsoils. The wine is bold, focused, and expressive, with fireworks on the nose—red berries and black cherry interlaced with mahogany wood accents. The palate is more subdued and elegant, showcasing Concannon’s long history with this variety in its suave tannins, and chalky mineral intensity. Crushed cocoa nib marks the finish, alongside cherry pit nuances. It has great length and the energy to carry a hearty meal.

This 100% Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Concannon’s historic estate Block 7 vineyard. As of 2018, 80% of California Cabernet Sauvignon is derived from Concannon Clones 7, 8, and 11—making this both a classic producer and a benchmark expression of the variety. This wine leans into the more savory side of Cabernet, showing refined black currant and spiced plum notes rather than ultra-ripe blackberry. Cigar box nuances build alongside dark chocolate tones on the medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with soaring tannins that have a superfine, pixelated texture. The dark berry fruit is deeply savory, intermixed with pressed flowers and loamy earth. There’s gravitas, tension, and energy driving this richly expressive Cabernet Sauvignon.

Polished, poised, and deeply expressive, this red delivers layers of blackberry and black cherry fruit, underscored by graphite, tobacco leaf, and sagebrush nuances. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in 26% new American oak, 16% new French oak, and the remainder neutral, it builds beautifully on the medium-bodied palate. Broad-shouldered, muscular tannins frame a deep core of dark fruit and savory spice that carries through the finish.

Named in honor of James Concannon, a first-generation family member and former stampmaker, The Stampmaker is a bold, expressive red blend. Each of the three grape varieties is fermented separately in stainless steel and open-top fermenters, with punchdowns and pumpovers for optimal extraction. The wine is then aged for 16 months in a mix of 44% new French oak and neutral barrels. Extremely fruit-driven, it opens with ripe red and dark berry fruit layered with baking spices, graham cracker, and cocoa nibs. Medium-bodied on the palate, it features plump, satiny tannins and a generous, lingering finish.

Julien Fayard’s 2021 Covert Cabernet from the Coombsville AVA is a full-bodied, silky, super-enticing wine with heady boysenberry fruit, dark cacao, and sweet oak spices. Plush, velvety tannins form a solid foundation, framing gobs of dark berry fruit, cassis, graphite, wild herbs, and cedar spices. All too easy to drink, and at 14.9% alcohol, balanced as it is, this is a wine to savor with a burger and fries, roast chicken and potatoes, or braised meats and hearty stews.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The nose is elegant and expressive, with dark cassis, blackberry, and black cherry fruit layered with gorgeous tobacco spice, dried sage, thyme, and beautifully integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows crushed cocoa nib tannins—super fine and powdery—framing juicy dark berry fruit and refined graphite accents. A poised, polished expression with both power and finesse.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

MAILING LIST

The only email you want to open