Cristaldi Scores

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95% Vidal Blanc and 5% Pinot Blanc, sourced 48% from Sawmill Creek Vineyards (Hector, NY), 47% from Wagner Vineyards (Lodi, NY), and 5% Nutt Road Vineyards (Penn Yan, NY). A bright, easygoing white that blends citrus, orchard, and tropical fruit tones from the Vidal Blanc—more commonly used for ice wine but here shows its fresh, fruit-forward side. The finish is crisp and vivid with a steely mineral edge, perfect for humid East Coast summers.
The 2024 Cabernet Franc was fermented in a mix of stainless steel and open-top fermenters, then aged in neutral barrique before finishing its maturation in a large 900-gallon oak cask for approximately 30 months. From a warm vintage, the wine shows deep mulberry and dark cherry fruit, laced with delicate rose petal and violet florals. Fine, velvety tannins frame the palate, leading to a long, spice-laden finish.

A delightfully vibrant wine bursting with marmalade, apricot, poached pear, and kiwi notes. The mid-palate is rich and velvety, leading to a long, fruit-driven finish layered with warm allspice character.
From the oldest known planting of Cayuga White, this 2024 bottling marks the winery’s first single-varietal release of the grape. With ripping acidity balanced by 4–5 g/L of residual sugar, it’s a delicately floral, orchard-fruited white with loads of lime-bright energy and stony mineral tension on the finish.
A blend of mostly Cayuga White—a variety bred at Cornell in the 1940s—with 20% Riesling, sourced in part from the original Cayuga planting at Plane’s Block, just a mile and a half up the road. Made in a lightly off-dry style, the wine is carbonated in tank and bottled under pressure. This gently effervescent white offers notes of pear, apple, and white flowers, with a touch of lychee. Medium-bodied with a soft sweetness balanced by refreshing acidity, it’s a bright, easygoing wine.
One of my favorites from Christopher Tarce, this pét-nat is intensely floral, bursting with white flowers, rose petals, and a subtle rose stem note. The mousse is rich and creamy, yet the finish remains clean, crisp, and floral-driven, with a bright streak of minerality.
Part of the “Multi-Rosati” series—typically 5 to 8 bottlings released each year—this rosé is made from red fruit picked specifically for pink wine, hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, settled and fermented entirely in stainless steel. All wines in the series are vinified the same way to highlight varietal character and vineyard site. This bottling delivers deep red berry fruit with a wild, sauvage edge, layered with notes of cherry skin, kumquat rind, and a hint of cocoa powder. A striking chalky-salty minerality anchors the wine, which finishes with crisp, juicy acidity and remarkable complexity. Winemaker James Christopher Tracy says that he hopes the wine reflects its moderate maritime climate and dramatic ocean influence—and it certainly does.
I greatly admired the 2023, and this 2024 stands shoulder to shoulder with it. It offers bright red berry fruit layered with elegant earthy and tobacco spice, cedarwood accents and lifted violet florals. The tannins are softer than in the previous vintage, yet they quietly assert themselves, building through the earthy, floral-driven finish with gentle persistence and poise. The 2024 Cabernet Franc is sourced from vineyards on Seneca Lake. Each lot was vinified separately in one-ton bins, with 20% saignée prior to fermentation, 10% whole-cluster inclusion and native yeast ferments. Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.

With just 200 cases produced, this Dry Riesling is thoroughly charming and highly aromatic, bursting from the glass with honeysuckle richness infusing yellow apple and tangerine blossom notes. Medium-bodied, it reveals a splendidly silky, orchard-fruit-driven profile, supported by a firm spine of zesty, chalky acidity. The finish is long and gently resonant, marked by delicate baking spice nuances.
Sumptuously earthy, with rich blackberry fruit interlaced with leather and dried violets. Medium-bodied, it is shaped by gentle tannins and a streak of zesty acidity that brings real juiciness and lift. The finish gathers intensity, marked by bright wild herbs reminiscent of dill and thyme. Refreshing and thoroughly appealing.

The grapes for this Riesling are grown on deeper loamy soils, contributing to a more fruit-forward style. Gently pressed and stainless steel fermented, the wine was aged on the lees for 4–5 months before racking and bottling. It offers bright pear, apple, and green melon fruit with a subtle note of vanilla cream or panna cotta. A lovely thread of baking spice enriches the midpalate, while tangerine and grapefruit zest drive the finish. The aromatics are fresh and vibrant, with delicate white rose lingering beautifully on the long, lifted close.
This is a bit of a chameleon—beginning with ripe red and black-toned fruit, elegant cedarwood spice, and rose petal nuances. The medium-bodied palate quickly shifts toward the savory spectrum, revealing layers of strawberry-rhubarb, baked cherry, leather, tobacco, and crunchy wild herbs. The finish is bright and lifted by crunchy acidity. Sourced from estate-certified sustainable vineyards and aged in neutral oak for 12 months.

Vivid, bright, and expressive, this white (sourced from Glenora Farms on the west side of Seneca Lake) offers notes of white peach, white plum, and a squeeze of grapefruit-like acidity. Light- to medium-bodied on the palate, it finishes with excellent wet slate mineral tension. There’s great energy and precision throughout.
100% Riesling from HJW Blocks 1 and 4 from the Demeter-certified HJW Vineyard on the western slopes of Seneca Lake, this was hand-picked, hand-sorted, and whole-cluster pressed, then fermented in stainless steel. It’s a wonderfully energetic and exuberant wine, with subtle tropical fruit and apricot notes, lifted by honeysuckle aromatics and a long, fruit- and flower-driven finish marked by terrific acidity.
The 2024 Estate Dry Riesling is an exceptionally polished wine. It opens with a flinty, almost reductive edge, layered with beeswax, lime blossom, apricot, pear, and crunchy red apple over a soft, fleshy core. Despite its impression of sweetness, the wine is bone-dry, acid-driven, and remarkably long on the medium-bodied finish. Tasting it professionally, I found myself swallowing small sips just to be sure I loved it as much as I knew I did. You will too—it’s simply irresistible. Native yeast fermented in stainless steel. It is the most complete of the Estate Dry Riesling wines I tasted, and a remarkable effort from Hobb’s New York State winery.
Even before the first swirl, the 2024 Hillick & Hobbs Lower Terrace Estate Dry Riesling releases floral aromas that lift from the glass—super-fragrant, high-toned honeysuckle, jasmine, and acacia, with a delicate touch of rosemary blossom. On the palate, a supple silkiness resonates through the mid-palate before giving way to a chalky mineral finish accented by crushed almonds and emerging tropical fruit notes of peach and underripe mango. The finish is almost slippery, making this an all-too-easy quaffer.
The North Ravine bottling of Paul Hobbs’ Estate Dry Riesling from Hillick & Hobbs, his winery on Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region, is a dynamic and expressive white wine that bursts from the glass with jasmine and honeysuckle florals. It’s like springtime in a glass—open it in the dead of winter and you’ll be transported to sunnier, warmer days. On the palate, there’s a sense of warmth and generosity layered over cool notes of wet slate, sea spray minerality, and crunchy orchard fruit. A subtle mix of muddled honey and lemon adds depth and dimension. The floral notes carry through to a wonderfully lengthy finish, making it irresistible sip after sip.
Every time I take a sip of something new from Phil Plummer, I grow more confident that whatever he makes, I’m going to like—and you probably will, too. When the Local Culture Western Sun Pet-Nat hits the glass, its hazy hue and gentle, frothy bubbles look more like a beer than a wine, setting you up for a surprise. Sure enough, there’s an almost IPA-like edge here, yet it remains refined and expressive on the medium-bodied, off-dry palate, with just a kiss of honeyed apricot sweetness and zesty honeysuckle freshness carried by bright, tension-filled acidity. At 11.2% alcohol, it’s dangerously easy to keep sipping, so skip the chores, put out a cheese plate, and settle in with this delectable pét-nat. From Idol Ridge Winery (Martin Family Wineries).
Super frothy and downright delicious, this sparkler is beautifully layered around a core of honey-drizzled rose petals and underripe pineapple. There’s an undeniably gulpable generosity here, with a bright, frothy, creamy mousse lifting the floral and fruity profile of this Delaware grape bottling. Labeled medium-dry, it delivers exactly that, with a kiss of honeyed sweetness that makes it especially enticing. From Idol Ridge Winery (Martin Family Wineries).
A super interesting Vidal Blanc, bursting with aromatic sweetness that evokes spiced cinnamon wood around the holidays and intensely perfumed notes of sweet woodruff flower. Inspired by Germany’s traditional Maiwein Bowle—a sparkling white wine infused with strawberries and bundles of sweet woodruff—this cuvée is made from estate-grown Vidal Blanc, planted over 35 years ago across four and a half acres. After cold fermentation with multiple yeast strains, the wine is infused with dried sweet woodruff, lightly sweetened, and spritzed with carbonation. The result is layered, bright, and delightfully eccentric, with just enough sweetness and energetic lift to carry its fascinating floral complexity across the palate.
This is a vivid, crunchy, and clean style of Pét-Nat, offering up orchard fruit, chalky minerality, and crisp apple skin tannins—all wrapped in a gentle, frothy mousse. Bright and refreshing, it’s effortlessly enjoyable and undeniably crushable on a hot, humid summer day. Made in limited production from a blend of Seyval Blanc, Cayuga White, Chardonel, and Melody grapes, and hand-bottled.
Destemmed and gently pressed, this Cabernet Franc underwent a slow, low-temperature fermentation throughout harvest before being racked and bottled on December 11, 2024, to complete fermentation in bottle. Left undisgorged, it shows off a fantastically creamy, frothy mousse that lifts ripe melon fruit and drives the wine’s energetic profile. Don’t ask how they pulled it off—but this is easily one of the cleanest, most expressive pét-nats I’ve tasted from New York State.
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc clones and vineyard blocks, fermented and aged in stainless steel with selective lees contact and partial malolactic fermentation. This is a bracing, crisp, and steely expression of the variety, with subtle notes of sea grass and a long, mouthwatering finish that channels sea spray and crushed minerals.
A classic expression of Grüner Veltliner, delivering crisp, crunchy acidity framed by citrus, melon, white flowers, wet slate, and a hint of sea grass. Focused and linear, with excellent mineral length and superb acid tension.
Though there’s no carbonic maceration, this wine carries a Gamay-like charm, with mulberry and candied berry fruit layered over rich earthy aromatics and a subtle jalapeño note. Supple and full-bodied on the palate, it delivers ripe red fruit that shifts into cranberry, grapefruit zest, raspberry, and a touch of cocoa powder on the finish. Easygoing, joyful, refreshing, and downright delicious.

Queen of the Meadow is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc (saignée), and Chambourcin, which contributes color through direct press. Fermented cool and entirely in stainless steel, the wine was bottled shortly after fermentation. It’s a vivid, crisp rosé fueled by blood orange brightness, with uniquely crunchy acidity and a hint of saline richness that’s characteristic of the estate. Nicely balanced with good length—soulful, joyful, and absolutely delicious.
Set to be bottled in the spring of 2026, this is a richer, bolder expression with suave, sinewy tannins and deep dark berry fruit. Elegant violet and rose petal notes weave through layers of cranberry and cherry coulis. Medium- to full-bodied, with ripe, robust tannins and loads of wet slate minerality, it also shows hints of vanilla, brown spice, and dark salted chocolate. This is clearly a bold, ripe style—thanks to the introduction of new oak by winemaker Ian Bearup—and it feels like a confident step forward. I’m excited to see where this goes.

Open-top fermented and drained to four- to five-year-old François Frères barrels. Bottled after 7–8 months, this wine shows gorgeous dark berry depth framed by rose petal florals and earthy undertones. The mid-palate is generous and fruit-driven, with a Pinot-like elegance: red cherry, cedarwood spice, and a whisper of conifer forest. It all leads to a long, stony, mineral finish.

Unoaked and medium-bodied, this vivid blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Traminette, Seyval Blanc, and Chenin Blanc is zippy, bright, and red-fruited, with vibrant honeysuckle aromatics and luscious melon on the palate. Made using the saignée method (except for the white varieties), it’s layered and long, with red cherry and pomegranate emerging on the extended finish. Winemaker Ian Bearup took over from John Graciano in 2021 and continues to guide this expressive, energetic style.
Estate-grown Grüner Veltliner, whole cluster pressed and tank fermented with no malolactic fermentation, then bottled early to preserve freshness. The nose is elegant and smoky, with stony minerality and a hint of grapefruit. On the palate, fresh honeydew melon leads into a medium-bodied frame supported by tingly acidity and a long, chalky, mineral-driven finish with a subtle, spicy edge.
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NV

Made from 100% Cayuga White grapes sourced from the southwestern-most block of Patrician Verona Vineyard (a 70-acre, sustainably certified estate vineyard in the Cayuga Lake AVA, with plantings dating back to 1979), this spent four years en tirage. It is a vivid, saline-mineral-driven sparkler with a frothy, creamy mousse and loads of lemon, lime, grapefruit pith, and French pastry notes emerging on the long finish. The dosage is well-balanced, adding a subtle sweetness that resonates throughout.

NV

Super expressive from the start, this 100% Chardonnay opens with a lifted nose of baking spice, oyster shell minerality, and lemon pastry. The palate builds in intensity with a focused, assertive mousse and fine beading, resolving into a stunning, saline-rich finish layered with salted lemon peel and French pastry notes. Bright, focused, and precise throughout. Aged 24 months on the lees with some time in neutral oak post-primary fermentation; no malolactic conversion. Dosage is 7 g/L. Crafted under the direction of General Manager Russell Moss.

NV

Bright, stony minerality and subtle oyster shell notes rise from the glass, layered with citrus and lime. The mousse is super frothy, carrying a salty-chalky core that builds with grippy apple skin texture and golden cherry fruit. The finish is long, floral, and mineral-rich. A sparkling wine of impressive quality.

NV

Sourced from Knapp Vineyards, this sparkling wine underwent primary fermentation in stainless steel, followed by bottle fermentation and 12 months on the lees before disgorging. A modest 1.5% residual sugar dosage rounds out the palate. Simple and enjoyable, it offers crisp green apple, green Jolly Rancher candy, and steely minerality, all wrapped in a vinous-like character. A supple, creamy mousse gives way to a bone-dry finish marked by mineral tension.

NV

Sourced from several vineyards within the Lake Erie AVA, this blend of hybrid varieties saw cool stainless steel fermentation to help preserve vibrant aromatics and acidity. Expressive notes of apple and pear lead the way, joined by white flowers and honeysuckle. A rich, creamy, and frothy mousse lifts the palate, resolving with a subtly sweet finish.

NV

Disgorged on 10.16.24 after more than three years aging sur lie, this is a multi-vintage Brut Nature made from 51% 2020 and 49% 2019 fruit. And let me say—it’s absolutely my kind of wine. Gorgeously rich, with spectacular nutty complexity and an ultra-fine, creamy mousse. Winemaker Andrew Rockwell explains that the oak aging adds just a bit of grip, which helps frame the wine’s generous mid-palate and lingering, toasty finish. It’s stunning—elegant yet powerful, and just plain gorgeous.

NV

50% Chancellor (Plane’s Block, west side Cayuga Lake), 30% Verdelet (Arrowhead Vineyard, west side Seneca Lake), and 20% Cayuga White (Plane’s Block), all hand-harvested in 2023 and vinified separately. In 2024, fermenting non-vinifera Diamond—a native variety—was added to the still wine before it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Hand-disgorged over the winter, this sparkling wine is wild, rustic, and utterly compelling. It channels tar and roses with deep loamy earth—like a red from Chinon—before unfurling with intensely tarry minerality, frizzante energy, and a creamy, assertive mousse. Red berry fruit mingles with savory notes of star anise, black olive, and crushed walnuts drizzled with paprika-laced honey.

NV

A blend of Seyval Blanc and Vignoles, this semi-dry white is named after Lake Awosting in the Shawangunk Mountains. Medium-bodied, with floral lift and ripe orchard fruit, it shows a touch of sweetness balanced by incredibly bright, saline-laced acidity. The finish is marked by a wet stone minerality.

NV

Traditional method rosé. This is a vividly red-fruited sparkling wine with a bright, frothy mousse and crunchy red berry, plum, and white cherry notes. A subtle salinity and touch of baking spice carry through the lengthy finish. Composed mostly of free-run juice, the wine spends up to two years en tirage, with a dosage of approximately 4.5 g/L.

N/A

From Whitecliff Vineyard’s home estate-grown Traminette, this is pressed into stainless steel and fermented with native yeasts, then is allowed to ferment slowly until it hits the numbers winemaker Brad Martz is targeting—leaving enough residual sugar to complete fermentation in bottle. Disgorged to remove heavy lees, then recapped. It opens with bright apple and lifted baking spice, followed by a super frothy, assertive mousse that resolves through layers of white rose, orange oil, lychee, and a touch of grapefruit zest. Clean, zippy, and zingy.

N/A

Sourced from estate-grown Vidal Blanc from the Whitecliff Vineyard home estate. Pressed into stainless steel and fermented with native yeasts, the wine is allowed to ferment as long as needed to reach the numbers winemaker Brad Martz targets—leaving enough residual sugar to complete fermentation in bottle. It’s then disgorged to remove the heavy lees and recapped. The result is a clean, bright pét-nat with notes of chamomile, yellow apple, and white flowers. The mousse is rich, creamy, and finely textured, leading to a bone-dry, acid-driven finish. Easy-drinking and elegant—really lovely.

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