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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.

The Rodgers Creek Syrah delivers layers of blackberry, dark walnut husk, black olive, dried violet, and black truffle–charcuterie character. Medium-bodied and supple, it shows vibrant, high-toned acidity and burly tannins that gradually take on a velvety feel. The finish is long, refined, and lightly citrusy.

This marks the first time a sparkling wine from this iconic vineyard has come across my desk. Crafted in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in bottle, it spent 28 months on the lees, developing lovely baked apple and toasty brioche richness. Lemon-lime aromatics mingle with nougat, while the creamy, enveloping mousse resolves beautifully through a lime-bright acid freshness.
This 100% Pinot Noir from the organically farmed Wild King Vineyard is composed entirely of Clone 114. Fermented in open-top vats and aged in neutral oak, only two barrels were produced. The nose is lifted and spicy, with aromas of rose petal, rose stem, and black cherry. On the medium-bodied palate, sinewy tannins take center stage, giving the wine a firm, structured edge. It finishes with impressive energy and a clean, chalky minerality that lingers.

Sourced from the 12-acre McGrail Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented in stainless steel, cold-soaked to enhance color and fruit intensity, then left on the skins for up to 20 days post-fermentation. After pressing and settling, it was racked to barrel and aged for 30 months in 100% new Hungarian oak. This bottling offers a more toned-down expression compared to the Reserve Cabernet, yet it’s still rife with dark currant, black cherry, and spiced plum fruit. The oak influence is more refined and mellowed, allowing dried wild herbs and savory tobacco leaf nuances to shine through on the lengthy finish. Firm, muscular tannins are rounded by mineral tension, giving the wine both structure and finesse.

Winemaker Mark Clarin says Cabernet Sauvignon should be “big, bold, and badass”—and this wine delivers. Sourced from the 12-acre McGrail Vineyard, the grapes were cold-soaked in stainless steel to extract color and fruit intensity, followed by fermentation and up to 20 days of extended maceration on the skins. After pressing and settling, the wine was racked to barrel and aged for 30 months in approximately 65% new oak—a mix of French, Hungarian, and American. It opens with rich baking spice and cocoa powder aromas wrapped around dense blackberry fruit. Full-bodied and intense, the wine boasts bold, powerful tannins that build on the finish. Loamy earth and dark chocolate add depth, while a burst of juicy blood orange acidity brings lift and carries the length.

Named in honor of the late James Vincent, who founded the winery with his wife Ginger, this Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the 12-acre McGrail Vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel with a cold soak to enhance color and fruit intensity, the wine remained on the skins for up to 20 days post-fermentation before being pressed, settled, and racked to barrel. It was then aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak. This bottling delivers a more classic expression of Cabernet, with blackberry, graphite, and toasty oak spices. Notes of black olive and smoked paprika add savory depth. Full-bodied, with soaring, chocolatey tannins and a mineral core of wet slate. The finish is long and layered, with pressed wildflowers and dried fennel adding aromatic complexity.

The Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the 12-acre McGrail Vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel with a cold soak to extract color and fruit intensity, the wine remained on the skins for up to 20 days post-fermentation before being pressed, settled, and racked to barrel. It was aged for 30 months in 100% new American oak. The moniker is a tribute to the winery’s support of the Fallen Heroes Fund, while also honoring founder James Vincent (a former Alameda County Sheriff). This is the spiciest expression in the McGrail Cabernet lineup, with notes of toasted coconut, white truffle, and a savory meatiness. Full-bodied, with ripping, soaring tannins that frame layers of red and black currant, black cherry, and wild herb nuances on a long finish.

This 2021 Monroy Wines Cabernet Sauvignon hails from Kick Ranch, a 40-acre vineyard on the western slope of Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Mountains, within the Fountaingrove District of Sonoma, where vines thrive in iron-rich soils—and that mineral quality is immediately evident on the nose. It’s highly expressive, with notes of iron and crushed stone alongside dark, earthy minerality, forest underbrush, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, and blackcurrant and cassis fruit. On the palate, it’s beautifully polished and expressive, with cocoa-powder tannins and a wonderfully seamless finish that echoes the character and depth of the bouquet. A splendid wine from Adolfo Hernandez, who explained his background and winemaking style to me as follows: “I was the enologist and then assistant winemaker at Eisele Vineyard, splitting my time—two years each—between the Araujos and Château Latour. From there, I spent a year with Martha McClellan at Checkerboard, where we also made her gorgeous Levy & McClellan wines. In 2017, I started as associate winemaker at Benovia in the Russian River Valley with Mike Sullivan, where I’m happily still working today. I now make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Benovia while also producing wines under my own Monroy label. I focus on crafting cooler-climate style Cabernet Sauvignon that emphasizes floral and savory notes. All fermentations are done in barrel via closed-head rolling macerations, which I cooper myself. Barrel fermentation gives richness and density to the wines without the need to blend or harvest riper, more bombastic components, and naturally keeps the alcohol levels at or below 14%. I use only French oak, typically around 40% new.”

Murrieta’s Well’s Cabernet Franc was fermented in stainless steel tanks with pneumatage twice daily, then aged for 19 months in 60% new French oak and 40% used French oak barrels. Refined, focused, and medium-bodied with suave tannins and expressive black currant fruit, it carries notes of mocha and blood orange-like acidity on a finish marked by dried wild herbs and rich baking spices. There’s a lovely sweetness to the bold fruit, balanced by savory herbal tones and subtle tobacco character.

The 2021 “Dos Mesas” Red Blend is rich, juicy, and neatly compact—a focused expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that’s teeming with loamy earth accents woven through a rich tapestry of blackberry and black currant fruit flavors. Tobacco spice layers in with notes of spiced Mexican mocha, all framed by superfine tannins and terrific length and intensity.

The 2021 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet Franc from Livermore Valley is a dark-toned, bold, and fragrant red, showing classic Cabernet Franc character with high-toned dried herbs, tobacco leaf, and black currant fruit. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with superfine tannins and layers of spice, including a smoked paprika nuance throughout. Juicy currant fruit fills the mid-palate with good density while staying light on its feet. Finishes long with a mineral edge. A rocking Cab Franc from this producer.

Exclusive to wine club members, this red is sourced from the highly regarded Ghielmetti Vineyard. The nose is already compelling, offering warm spices, tobacco notes, and a mix of red and black cherry fruit—though it remains youthful and full of potential. On the palate, it strikes a beautiful balance between power and elegance, finishing long, fresh, tangy, and plummy.

Harvested from the Cresta Blanca and Ghielmetti vineyards, this wine was aged for 34 months in twice-used American and French oak. Alluring aromatics lead with red and black currant, sage, dried spearmint, and new wood cedar. Medium-bodied on entry, with saline minerality framing a juicy, savory black-fruited core. Firm tannins and a touch of olive tapenade carry through to the lengthy finish.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from four distinct vineyards, thoughtfully selected to showcase the microclimates of Livermore Valley—from the cool, southwestern edge of Kalthoff Commons to the deeper mid-valley soils and the warmer eastern boundary. Aromas of dried violets, cassis, and black plum are layered with savory undertones and a mineral-spiced edge. On the palate, it delivers a well-crafted, balanced attack—melding firm, linear acidity with supple black fruit flavors. The finish lingers with a subtle hit of licorice. -JR

Reserved exclusively for the Page Mill wine club, this expressive Tempranillo strikes a perfect balance between poise and power. Aromas of tobacco, game, and dark cherry lead into a plummy, richly textured palate, lifted by a surprising streak of balanced freshness. A bold yet elegant red. -JR

The 2021 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah from winemaker Sashi Moorman is notably less savory than the Rim Rock Vineyard bottling, but no less dynamic. Bright and expressive, it bursts with crunchy red fruit, violet florals, and rose stem, all wrapped in taut, apple-skin tannins. A vivid streak of zesty, zippy acidity propels the wine forward, framing a long, mineral-driven finish laced with white pepper and crushed stone.

From the brilliant Sashi Moorman comes this riveting Syrah from Rim Rock Vineyard—a wine that soars aromatically with wild rose, rhubarb, crushed violets, dried thyme, and oven-roasted black olives. On the palate, it delivers a striking sense of liquid rock intensity and kinetic energy. Rich loamy earth and chalky mineral notes underscore its muscular frame, while the structure remains focused and finely detailed. This is an utterly dazzling Syrah.

This is a rich, robust, and powerful expression of Cabernet Franc from the Santa Ynez Valley, offering heady aromas of tobacco leaf, dried sage, and ripe cassis, with subtle hints of lavender and black sage adding lift and complexity. Full-bodied on the palate, the wine is framed by muscular tannins that build steadily, driving toward a long, fragrant finish laced with stony minerality and savory depth.

This 100% Barbera comes from the Rodrigue Molyneaux estate and was aged in 16.5% new French oak, with the remainder in neutral barrels. It’s like the Italian countryside you’ve seen from your car window but never stepped out to explore—until now. Red berry fruit is interlaced with minty nuances and eucalyptus character, building with intensity on the medium-bodied palate. It’s framed by iron-scented minerality and salty, firm tannins with a subtle cherry wood polish. An intriguing and transportive wine from the Livermore Valley; you don’t have to go to Italy to *feel* like you’re there.

This 98% Cabernet Franc from Casa de Viñas in the Livermore Valley was aged in 17.5% new French oak, 25% third-use Hungarian oak, and 67.5% neutral barrels. It’s a more subtle, refined expression of the variety, with sagebrush nuances, black currant, plum, and accents of new wood cedar. Medium-bodied, it shows zesty blood orange acidity and emerging notes of pine, mint, and eucalyptus that add an unexpected—but very welcome—freshness.

The “Il Segreto” is a blend of 50.5% Sangiovese from Crackerbox Vineyard, along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera from the Rodrigue Molyneaux estate, aged in 22.5% new French oak (with nearly one-third aged in stainless steel). This is a delightfully juicy and pleasing red blend, with crunchy red fruit, graphite minerality, and a medium-bodied palate framed by apple skin tannins. It finishes long, with a sleek wet river stone character that adds tension and finesse.

This Pinot Noir from Iaon Pohlit, sourced from the Sta. Rita Hills, beautifully lives up to its name—Ocean & Earth—with ripe cherry fruit layered over loamy earth and salty sea spray nuances. Aromatic notes of espresso bean, clove, and rose petal add depth and allure. Mineral-rich, granular tannins frame the medium-bodied palate, building to a lingering finish marked by smoked paprika and savory spice. Delish!

The Big Daddy 100% Cabernet Franc from White Cat Vineyard in Livermore Valley is all Clone 5 (French 311), aged for 33 months in neutral and once-used French oak. And wow—is it ever a big daddy. Bold, bodacious, and bursting at the seams, with supple, juicy plum-like tannins that open to reveal ripe black currant, spiced plum, rich tobacco, cedar, and mocha. The long, spicy finish pops with a heady flash of smoked paprika before demanding another big sip.

This 100% Petite Sirah from Casa de Vinas Vineyard was aged for 33 months in neutral and once-used French and American oak. High-toned violets and spiced Santa Rosa plums mingle with dark chocolate on this medium- to full-bodied, juicy, and layered red.

The LVVC (Livermore Valley Vintners Collective) is a group of six Livermore winemakers who collaborate on a blend project each year. While the framework remains consistent, each winemaker creates a totally unique blend from their own wines. Aged in neutral and once-used French and American oak, this is a beautifully built, tightly knit, expressive wine with excellent tension and tremendous length. Medium-bodied, it’s framed by finely textured, tobacco-scented tannins supporting dark plum, juicy black currant, and tobacco leaf notes. A streak of saline-acid tension gives the wine great levity. A compelling showcase of the integrity Cabernet Franc can achieve in Livermore Valley.

This Tempranillo from Sakura Vineyard was barrel-aged for 10 months in American oak. High-toned eucalyptus notes weave through red cherry and plum fruit, all building to a crescendo on the medium-bodied palate. A burst of perfectly ripe blood orange and grapefruit zest adds lift before gliding into a drying, tannic finish.

This Syrah from Zotovich Vineyard was fermented with native yeasts and 100% whole clusters, followed by extended barrel aging—a method that amplifies its aromatic complexity and savory nuance. Intensely perfumed, the nose is a symphony of violets, rose petals, and ripe blueberry dusted with white pepper. Layers of white truffle, green olive, and charcuterie emerge as the wine opens in the glass. Full-bodied and deeply textured, the palate is energized by saline-acid tension, with crushed blackberry, wet slate, and dried thyme all unfolding through a long, savory finish. A flicker of flamed grapefruit peel adds a final aromatic flourish. This is a Syrah that commands attention—complex, captivating, and inviting.

This Pinot Noir was aged on the lees for 17 months in 50% new French oak. Classic Bing cherry and spiced plum leap from the glass, joined by toasty cherry wood and dark chocolate, accented with subtle, crunchy currant fruit. Warm baking spices abound in this gracefully textured wine, which glides across every corner of the palate all too easily.

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The grapes are night-picked and fermented mostly in stainless steel, with a portion in neutral barrels. This is a bold, rich, and savory wine, showing a warming spice character through the mid-palate. Apricot jam notes are layered with orchard fruit, additional stone fruit, and white floral accents, all building toward a cantaloupe-tinged finish. A long, lingering orange oil sweetness carries through the finish, yet the wine remains bone dry. It’s a crowd favorite and a wine everyone should try, especially at the table—it stands up beautifully to acidity, fat, and spice, with excellent length and tension.
This 100% Grenache from the Fong Vineyard is fermented in stainless steel, with grapes picked at lower Brix—around 22. It opens with fresh mixed-berry aromatics, white peach, and apricot, along with a pop of dried herbs and baking spice. Long, crisp, and clean, it finishes with zesty acid tension. The Dell Valle wines are made at Garré by winemaker Aaron Luna.
Fermented in stainless steel and sourced from Ridout Vineyard, this is a bright, spicy, zesty, and focused Sauvignon Blanc. Aromatics of poached pear, honeysuckle, lemon blossom, and lime-scented minerality lead into a high-toned floral and tropical finish. Clean, vibrant, and full of energy.
TASTING NOTE: Lot #12. Barrel Sample: As velvety as DeLoach owner Jean-Charles Boisset’s jacket and as suave as his quick wit. Super fragrant red berry fruit and vanilla spice aromas lead into a palate marked by juicy acid tension, pure fruit expression, and velvety-textured tannins. Hints of dark cocoa nibs emerge on the long finish. Brimming with the freshness and verve of the Russian River Valley! From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: The 2024 vintage celebrates “50 Years of Heritage” at DeLoach Vineyards, a milestone that honors the winery’s deep-rooted legacy. When DeLoach first began, its estate was planted with Old Vine Zinfandel—a tradition that continues today with this exceptional Old Vine Zinfandel from the historic Maffei Vineyard, just a stone’s throw from the estate. In 1970, founders Cecil and Christine DeLoach purchased 24 acres of Old Vine Zinfandel on what is now the DeLoach estate, nestled on the renowned Olivet Bench. Nearby, the Maffei Vineyard—registered by the Historic Vineyard Society—shares a rich lineage of old-vine cultivation. Planted in 1928 by Umberto and Maria Maffei, these gnarly, head-trained vines are now stewarded by their granddaughter, Joanne Maffei, ensuring their continued legacy of producing world-class fruit. This Old Vine Zinfandel opens with captivating aromas of black cherry, elderberry, and warm baking spices. The palate unfolds with layers of blackberry, raspberry, and baked fruit, accented by a whisper of tobacco. Robust tannins, balanced acidity, and seamless integration create a rich, lingering finish—paying homage to the time-honored heritage of DeLoach Vineyards. WINEMAKER(S): Brian Maloney ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2026 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: June 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC International Distribution: Please inquire for more information.

This is a truly enticing white wine with soft-toned aromatics reminiscent of the outer flesh of perfectly ripe fruit—the skin of a peach, plum, or apple—layered with a panoply of springtime florals and bright baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers sumptuous, lush, and silken fruit character, dusted with fresh crushed sea salt and drizzled with honey. Excellent mid-palate depth carries into a long, drawn-out, exuberantly zippy finish—an utterly fantastic and complex white that keeps you coming back for more.
The 2024 Dovecote Estate Chardonnay from Thompson Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, a limited release of just 54 cases, is a stunning example of California Chardonnay that combines richness with real elegance. On the nose, it opens with that classic toasty, buttery brioche character—think a freshly baked, crispy brioche straight from the farmer’s market—along with layers of Meyer lemon and baked apple. On the palate, all those flavors come together seamlessly, balanced by a bright, lemony acidity. There’s a beautiful textural grip and a crushed sea salt impression that leaves your mouth watering, complemented by nuances of apricots, crushed Marcona almonds, and pressed wildflowers. It’s a remarkable wine with great depth, tension, and a saline, mineral-driven length that will resonate with any lover of beautifully balanced California Chardonnay.
This 2024 Dovecote Estate Grenache Blanc from the Thompson Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, crafted in a limited run of just 52 cases, is a beautifully fragrant and vivid expression. On the nose, it’s lemon-bright and citrus-driven, layered with delicate white flowers and subtle orchard fruit with cherry pit and white plum nuances. On the palate, the wine unfolds into a lush core of silky citrus and orchard fruit notes, accented by hints of tropical fruit and a whisper of crushed almonds. It has an incredible textural grip, almost a chalky, saline acid tension that lends the wine a compelling mineral-driven finish. Think wet river stones and a beautifully lingering chalkiness that makes each sip memorable.
Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs. This entry-level bottling serves as the precursor to their trio of single-vineyard SBs, offering a vivid preview of the house style. Sourced from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, it’s a dynamic wine driven by orchard and tropical fruit, zesty sea grass, and prairie herbs. A kiss of vanilla and creamy oak spice mingles with lime oil, saffron, and quince, all carried on a long finish laced with crushed almonds and fine sea salt.
Entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel, this wine bursts with vibrant tropical fruit notes of lychee and white peach, underpinned by a flinty minerality. Crisp, crunchy, and racy acidity drives the palate, leading to a bright, chalky mineral finish. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.
A blend of stainless steel–fermented and partially barrel-aged lots, this wine is fragrant and lively, driven by notes of lemon-lime, lime blossom, honeysuckle, and white peach. Crisp acidity provides tension and lift, balancing the fleshier fruit profile. The finish is bone dry, clean, and refreshing. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Russian River Valley was fermented for four months in a mix of 15% new French oak, 29% neutral barrel, and 56% stainless steel. Exotic aromas of lychee, white peach, and a hint of vanilla create an enticing bouquet, while the more restrained palate reveals underripe pineapple, lemon, and lime. Bright, citrus-driven acidity and a chalky mineral edge give the wine tension and focus from start to finish. 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.
Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this white is fresh but nicely rounded on the edges of the palate, sporting just a hint of pleasing astringent structure in its texture. Aromas and flavors of honeydew, nectarine, grapefruit, yellow apple, and lemon pie make this nearly irresistible. – J.R.
A perky, vibrant, jubilant pink, this rose is sourced from Docker Hill (Mendocino County) and Ruxton Vineyard (Russian River Valley), as well as other sites in Green Valley. Hints of roses, hibiscus, underripe melon, wild strawberry, and candied watermelon mingle with flavors of citrus. Everything resolves into a wonderfully mineral, herbal finish. – J.R.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Bavarian Lion Vineyard in Knights Valley, Sonoma County, was made entirely in stainless steel with no oak influence. Lush and tropical, it offers aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle alongside ripe tropical fruit. Zippy, zesty acidity enlivens the palate, balancing the wine’s richness and leading to a long, spicy, mineral-driven finish. The Ehret family has been farming their Knights Valley estate for three generations, reserving their best fruit since 2005 for their own small production (handled in the cellar by winemaker Erin Green).
The Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged 10 months sur lie in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced from 60 different lots across Sonoma County. For the past decade, the wines at Ferrari-Carano have been made by winemaker Natalie West. There’s a lavish aromatic pop of rich, toasty, graham-cracker sweet oak that carries straight onto the palate, where the wine shows super-expressive character—lemon curd, lemon meringue, grilled pineapple. Despite all that richness, the wine stays balanced thanks to a vein of salinity that brings real freshness. The oak is beautifully integrated: never cloying, just vivid and tasty. You have to love this style to love this wine—and if you do, at $27 it’s a terrific value.
The fruit for this rosé goes directly to press—it’s made intentionally as rosé from all estate-grown fruit. It’s a fine, tasty wine featuring mixed red-berry notes, a touch of sea spray, and hints of crushed wild thyme and rosemary. White peach, apricot, and a honeysuckle lift round out the palate, leading to a lengthy, crisp, acid-driven finish.

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