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Cristaldi Scores

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Wine

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Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Dell Valley Vineyard Cabernet Franc

From Dell Valley Vineyard, at 3,500 feet above sea level, this site sits on an ancient coral reef that imparts a distinct salty minerality to the wine. Dark berry fruit, tobacco spice, and bright wild herbs lead the aromatics, while the medium-bodied palate shows cassis and blackberry fruit with balanced fragrance and lift. The finish is lengthy and expressive, framed by crisp, firm tannins that carry a velvety texture. A model wine for the region from Tony Offill. For the last couple of years, Jean Hoefliger of JH Consulting has worked with the team as well.

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Dell Valley Vineyard, Petit Verdot

The 2023 Petit Verdot from Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County is a dark-fruited, medium-bodied red offering notes of dark cherry, fig, and blackberry jam, accented by toasty oak nuances and dark chocolate. It’s framed by crisp, apple-skin tannins with a spine of zesty acidity that brightens the finish. Aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral oak barrels. Continuously planted since 1987, the vines at Dell Valley are planted in sloped sandy caliche soils, at more than 3,500 feet elevation. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Hye Estate Vineyard, Tannat

From the Hye Estate, this Tannat is ripe and fragrant, with a beautiful mix of red and purple florals, sweet spices, and extremely polished, firm, fine-grained tannins. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it showcases brown spices and elegant cedarwood throughout, all while maintaining incredible freshness. Terrific fruit purity and density of fruit weight on the mid-palate are off the charts. Winemaker Tony Offill, who started here in 2017, has made marked improvements, and with Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger, who began consulting with William Chris in 2022, the transformation of these wines is incredible, and they are among the best wines being made in Texas today. 

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Vintage Press VIneayrd Syrah

The Syrah includes 7% Grenache, sourced from the Vintage Press Vineyard in Stonewall, Texas. Aromas of white pepper, tart red berry fruit, violets, and wild herbs lead into a medium-bodied palate. Expressive wild herb character and blood orange acidity build across the palate, carrying through to a firm, tannic finish.

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Vintage Press Vineyard, Tannat

Wow, what a marvelously rich, full-bodied, and powerful Tannat, but with impressive energy and tension.  It boasts balanced, robust tannins and loads of perfectly ripe dark berry fruit, including blueberry compote, alongside sweet and savory spices, and pure, natural, balanced acidity that keeps this wine grippy, fresh, and bright. The tannisn are massive and powerful, and I’d hold onto this until 2027, until popping corks.  Consumers are in for a real treat when this is offered through the tasting room outside of Fredericksburg. A captivating expression of Tannat that promises to impress. Winemaker Tony Offill, who started here in 2017, has made marked improvements, and with Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger, who began consulting with William Chris in 2022, the transformation of these wines is incredible, and they are among the best wines being made in Texas today. 

2023

Wine for the People

Bounty Harvest Vineyard, Grenache

The La Valentía 100% Grenache, sourced from Bounty Harvest Vineyard in Gaines County, sits just outside the Texas High Plains AVA but benefits from its high-altitude terroir at 3,500 feet. Grown in sandy loam and caliche (limestone) soils, the wine undergoes a 5-day cold soak in stainless steel with gentle pumpovers before aging for 12 months in neutral French oak with bâtonnage. This Grenache shows ripe, pure red berry fruit complemented by brown baking spice notes. Medium-bodied, it is framed by firm, grippy tannins with a chocolaty edge, leading to a finish highlighted by blood orange acidity and a distinctively salty, crushed granite minerality.

2023

Wine for the People

Fire Oak Red Blend

The Fire Oak Vineyard, located in Mills County just north of the Texas Hill Country border, produces this blend of 55% Carignan and 45% Mourvèdre, which is brimming with bright red-toned fruits and a savory baking spice character. Medium-bodied, the wine offers mocha-rich, fine-grained tannins that provide structure, with candied red berry fruit carrying through to a rich, satisfying finish. A well-rounded and flavorful expression of these two varieties.

2024

Augusta Vin

Aestas Rosé

Whole-cluster pressed with some saignée. A blend of Counoise, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Tannat. Bright, ripe strawberry and cherry fruit lead, accented by orange peel and grapefruit zest. The palate shows great tension and energy, making this a truly pleasing, easy-drinking wine for summer.

2024

Augusta Vin

Albarino

Fermented in stainless steel and oak-aged for roughly six to eight months before bottling. Lovely, subtle aromatics of citrus oil and honeysuckle lead into a medium-bodied palate with a silky, satiny mouthfeel. Bright citrus zest and citrus oil keep the palate lively, fresh, and full of energy, carrying through with good length and tension. You would be hard-pressed to detect any oak influence apart from the beautifully silky texture.

2024

Augusta Vin

Giovana Bianca

Fermented entirely in stainless steel, with a small portion of Viognier fermented in barrel. The nose is beautifully alluring, revealing citrus, white peach, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and a hint of shiso. The palate is lush, creamy, and seductive, yet balanced by bright acidity and a crisp, chalky minerality that extends through the long, floral finish. Bright, rich, and poised.

2024

Augusta Vin

Marsanne

Aged entirely in stainless steel for six months before bottling. Elegant white peach, apricot, and honeycomb aromas lead, with a lovely weight and silky fruit depth from partial malolactic fermentation. The palate leans toward poached apples, guava, and white peach, layered with pressed wildflowers and a subtle baking spice character. Nicely persistent on the finish. 92

2024

Augusta Vin

Picpoul Blanc

Aged for about six to seven months in 100% stainless steel before bottling. Bright, ripe tropical fruits lead the nose, joined by nuances of white peach, apricot, and white flowers. The palate shows a chalky minerality that builds through to a zesty, energetic finish. 91-92

2024

Augusta Vin

Roussanne

In Texas, this grape tends to show more florality and structure, says Zachary Raines, winemaker for Augusta Vin—”probably from that shorter growing season.” The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of barriques and large-format puncheons, with 40% new French oak. The oak is beautifully integrated, lending a buttery palate expression with good mid-palate fruit density and length. Spicy ginger notes and saline-acid tension balance out the wine’s soft, fleshy mouthfeel.

2024

Augusta Vin

Trebbiano

This wine shows nice weight and richness from the addition of about 8g/L of sugar, with bright citrus, tropical fruit, and apricot notes. Crushed almonds appear on the off-dry finish.

2024

Augusta Vin

VerTempora Rosé

Whole-cluster direct to press. VerTempora is Latin for “Spring,” and this wine is a blend of Counoise, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. Bright strawberry and cranberry fruit lead, with subtle sagebrush aromatics. About 8–9g/L of residual sugar was added—almost out of necessity. The acidity remains super juicy and bracing, but the touch of residual sugar adds welcome weight and balance.

2024

Augusta Vin

Viognier

From the Rolland Taylor Vineyard in the Texas High Plains. Hand-picked, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in a mix of new and neutral oak puncheons and smaller barriques. Bright notes of orange peel and lemon zest lead the nose, accented by honeysuckle, vanilla, and subtle toasty oak. The medium-bodied palate offers fantastic silkiness, carrying through to a lengthy, saline finish with a pop of grapefruit and tangerine zest—almost like biting into a fresh kumquat.

2024

Bending Branch Winery

Camp Lucy Vineyard Sparkling Rosé

I’m not one to put much stock in the tasting notes on a back label—critics trust their own palates above all (what else would you have me do?). But in this case, the description of white peach, strawberry, and lime zest is spot on. All of that fruit shows up on the palate as well, and the mousse is super creamy and palate-filling, carrying a gentle sweetness that makes the wine especially inviting. This is an ideal bottle for a hot day, a picnic, or a bowl of fresh strawberries and summer fruit. It also makes an excellent topper for an Aperol Spritz, adding a subtle tropical note. Go for it.

2024

Calais Winery

La Cuvée du Gason Rose

The fruit for this rosé comes from Yoder Vineyard, located north of Dalhart. It’s a vibrant and expressive wine—crisp and crunchy with tart red berry fruit, wild herbs, white peach, and apricot. A creamy mid-palate provides texture and balance before leading into a long, mineral-driven finish marked by refreshing acidity.

2024

Ducks Unlimited

Reserve Red Blend

The 2024 Ducks Unlimited Red Blend is simply fantastic. It’s a powerhouse, and one of the best red wines I’ve tasted from Texas. The aromatics just soar out of the glass with blackberry and boysenberry fruit framed by elegant cedarwood spice, lifted by violets and a bright pop of blue fruit. Medium to full-bodied, it shows a framework of fine-grained, firm tannins with a long finish marked by wet slate and crushed rock minerality, underscored by crisp, focused acidity. Serve it cool, at a cellar temperature of about 57°F, and you’d be crazy not to pair it with brisket or seared duck breast over a balsamic reduction. The blend is 62% Tannat from Vintage Press Vineyard and Hye Estate, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot from Dell Valley Vineyard.

2024

Elisa Christopher Wines

Méthode Champenoise Ultra Brut Blanc du Bois Sparkling Wine

This sparkling is made entirely from the Blanc du Bois grape, sourced from Mound Prairie Vineyards outside of College Station Texas. The vineyard was planted by Bob Hensz and his daughter, Elisa Jones, the winemaker at Elisa Christopher Wines in 2007. The Blanc du Bois was aged six months on lees and offers up fragrant honeysuckle and tropical fruit notes with a kind of bright vinous character, all balanced by a rich, frothy and creamy mousse, finishing with nice chalky minerality and baking spice. Elisa Christopher Wines is owned by husband-and-wife duo Elisa and Chris, with Elisa also serving as the winemaker. Passionate about sparkling wine and their red wine program, they plan to begin planting their 43-acre estate in 2026.

2024

Elisa Christopher Wines

Narra Vineyards, Petite Sirah

Blue fruits and violets, hints of jasmine or honeysuckle, building with apricot, plum, and grippy Roobios tea tannins, building to a full-bodied sweet-spiced finish. Totally crushable. Grapes are grown at Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak.

2024

Invention Vineyards

Mourvèdre Rosé

The Mourvèdre is sourced from Lahey Vineyards in the Texas High Plains and was fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, giving it a bright, crisp character. It’s full-flavored, showing ripe, sweet red berry fruit and hints of prairie grass over a lush core, supported by a juicy spine of blood orange acidity. The finish is long and subtly tropical, adding an intriguing layer to this vibrant red. 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).

2024

K Estate

Estate White

This wine comes from the 8-acre K Estate site in the Texas Hill Country and shows lemon-bright aromas with notes of lemon verbena, a saline-scented acidity, and wet stone minerality that carry through to the medium-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).

2024

K Estate

Rose of Syrah

This is one fantastic rosé—extremely balanced with great nervy tension, tart red berry fruit, and a kiss of wild herb and prairie grass. Luscious notes of apricot and white peach mingle with subtle rose petal florals. Totally delicious and utterly crushable. 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).

2024

K Estate

Semillon

From Lahey Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this wine was fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, and it’s a tasty one. It’s crisp, crunchy, bright, and energetic, with plenty of lemon-lime citrus fruit and white floral notes accented by a touch of flinty minerality on the lengthy finish. A fleshy character rounds out the mid-palate, making it an ideal aperitivo wine. Beautifully balanced. Kuhlman Estate, now known as K Estate, was acquired by Brian Heath in the summer of 2024. 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).

2024

Meredith Margaret Wines

JoBreguen Vineyard Muscat Canelli

This is about as sweet as they come, bursting with bright floral and citrus peel aromatics. Super fragrant and delicious, it shows a viscous texture on the palate with candied peach rings and apricot notes. The finish is lifted by balanced acidity and a touch of chalky minerality, keeping everything in check. It’s not over the top—just irresistibly moreish, making you want another sip right after the last.

2024

Meredith Margaret Wines

Lahey Vineyard Cinsault Rosé

Alluring notes of cranberry, strawberry, and dried cherry rise from the glass, joined by hints of prairie grass and straw. The medium-bodied palate is bright and focused, driven by crisp, clean acidity that gives the wine freshness and lift.

2024

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

Bright and citrusy, with a salty sea-spray quality that takes hold on the palate and carries through the extended finish. Along the way, crisp, crunchy citrus and orchard fruit mingle with layers of white flowers and chalky minerality. A complex Picpoul Blanc, best enjoyed with a salad, crispy chicken tacos or pulled pork. Sourced entirely from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, where vines are rooted in sandy-loam soils over a caliche limestone base.

2024

Portree Cellars

Phillips Vineyard, Touriga Rosé

Fresh, inviting and layered, this rosé soars from the glass with blue fruit, cherry, orange peel and a hint of cocoa powder — an intriguingly unexpected touch. Luscious on the palate, it brims with rich blue-fruit compote, candied violets and a long saline-acid finish. One hell of a rosé, best served well chilled and enviably suited to year-round enjoyment. Sourced entirely from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, where vines are rooted in sandy-loam soils over a caliche limestone base.

2024

Reddy Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

Fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel, this white wine is crisp and tension-filled, offering notes of prairie grass, citrus, and lemon verbena, with a hint of sweet lemon curd on the palate. It finishes with delicate chamomile and honeycomb accents. In 1997, Dr. Vijay Reddy planted his first vines in Texas, drawing on his family’s multi-generational farming heritage. Today, Reddy Wines focuses exclusively on estate-grown production from vineyards situated at 1,007 meters (3,305 feet) in elevation.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

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.

2019

Producer

Name

From the 2022 vintage, this Cabernet Franc is a bright, spicy, medium-bodied red that offers notes of dried rose petals, crisp, crunchy acidity, and firm tannins. It’s quite expressive in its herbaceousness, which is well integrated and layered throughout. Balancing vibrancy with structure, this well-rounded red will appeal to fans of the variety.

2019

Producer

Name

The Terra Trails Winery Buena Suerte Vineyards Sangiovese from the Texas High Plains AVA presents a vibrant profile with crunchy, tart red cranberry and strawberry fruit, all laced with subtle vanilla and toffee notes. Medium-bodied, it features firm, taut tannins that are mineral-laced, adding structure and depth.

2020

Producer

Name

This Mourvèdre from Bilger Family Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, is sourced from vines grown on sandy, limestone soils. Red-toned fruits transition seamlessly into cool, limestone-driven minerality, with layers of espresso bean, charcuterie, and bright citrus notes of blood orange and grapefruit zest. A totally pleasing red, it strikes a perfect balance of richness and freshness, making it an excellent choice for pairing with smoked brisket or chicken dishes.

2020

Producer

Name

The 2020 Adega Vinho Estate Bilger Family Vineyards Tempranillo from Texas Hill Country is a medium-bodied red that opens with vibrant blue fruit and violet aromas, complemented by wonderful sweet spices and espresso bean notes. The fine-grained tannins provide good structure, leading to a long finish marked by savory herbs and mineral richness.

2020

Producer

Name

The 2020 Becker Vineyards Barbera is a beautifully crafted, rich, and unctuous wine. It opens with aromas of crunchy red-toned fruit, spice, and rose petals, complemented by dusty minerals and toasty cedarwood notes interwoven with subtle hints of charcuterie. Full-bodied on the palate, it reveals mocha accents and silky, plump, well-integrated tannins, leading to a long and satisfying finish. The 2019 vintage earned the prestigious Texas Wine of the Year award from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Rodeo Uncorked International competition, and this 2020 vintage continues that tradition of excellence.

2020

Producer

Name

Becker’s Reserve Chardonnay is crafted from grapes sourced from Canada Family Vineyards in Plains, Texas, near the New Mexico border, and Drew Tallent of Tallent Vineyards in Mason, within the Texas Hill Country AVA. Aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak, it displays both richness and freshness. The oak imparts a subtle sweetness, with hints of caramel and toffee spices seamlessly woven into the aromas of rich citrus and orchard fruits. Full-bodied on the palate, it offers flavors reminiscent of apple pie and warm baking spices. Its lush texture is counterbalanced by a vibrant spine of juicy acidity, creating a wine that is both indulgent and refreshing.

2020

Producer

Name

The Becker Vineyards 2020 Texas Hill Country Malbec Reserve, sourced from Tallent Vineyard, opens with a hint of funkiness, adding a touch of earthy underbrush and charcuterie, complemented by stewed plum character. Medium-bodied, the wine features grippy tannins that build throughout the palate, culminating in a drying finish. Pair this bold and flavorful Malbec with a nicely salted Ribeye, and you’ll be off to the races.

2020

Producer

Name

The Becker Vineyards Petite Sirah from the Texas Hill Country is an expressive, currant-rich red, with dark black fruits emerging on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Sappy tannins frame this power-packed wine, providing structure and depth. The finish is remarkably floral, with fine notes of rose petal, espresso bean, and crushed thyme.

2020

Producer

Name

This blend of 78% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Tannat, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 36 months in 22% new American oak, resulting in a wine with impressive power and intensity. It features a savory mineral character and subtle nuances of pressed dried florals, which complement the rich barrel spices. The nose is further enriched with red berry fruits, mulberry, and a touch of molasses, likely influenced by the American oak. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it concludes with a long ironstone mineral finish, with hints of charcuterie adding complexity.

2020

Producer

Name

While the 2021 is a bold, savory red, the 2020 shows a softer, gentler, more elegant profile. It’s more fruit-driven, with fresher flavors and brighter baking-spice notes—white pepper, candied violets, and cherry fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, it carries gentle tannins that support a juicy, vibrant core framed by earthy redwood spice and limestone-driven mineral intensity. A lovely counterpoint to the more overtly savory vintages of this wine.

2020

Producer

Name

Whatever you think you know about Malbec, check it at the door with this Texas rendition from Camp Lucy Vineyard and the 2020 vintage. It’s a delicate, pretty wine—much like the world’s greatest Malbecs—driven by red cherry fruit and spice but softer in tannin, less muscular, and more elegant. White pepper and rose-stem nuances weave through the palate, carried by limestone mineral tension and a lift of tangerine oil on the finish.

2020

Producer

Name

This Camp Lucy Vineyard Petit Verdot from the Texas Hill Country comes from a north-facing 5-acre site west of Dripping Springs. The wine offers an attractive nose, with red-toned fruits mingling with lilac and prairie herbs. These aromas build with nice intensity through the medium-bodied palate, supported by well-integrated, soft, and velvety tannins.

2020

Producer

Name

The Lost Pirogue Vineyard, located in the Texas Hill Country at 1,605 feet of elevation on limestone rubble soils, is the source of this exceptional Souzão. Hand-harvested and whole berry macerated, the wine was fermented in half-ton open-top containers and aged for just over 24 months in oak. Souzão truly shines in the Texas Hill Country, and this expression is a full-bodied, satiny-soft version of the variety. With perfectly integrated tannins, the wine reveals layers of dark currant and black cherry fruits, complemented by a nice inlay of ironstone minerality. The finish is long and expressive, marked by vibrant dried florals and lilacs. Totally inviting and delightfully expressive.

2020

Producer

Name

The Lost Pirogue Vineyard, located in the Texas Hill Country at 1,605 feet of elevation on limestone rubble soils, is the source of this Tannat wine from Bending Branch. Hand-harvested and whole berry macerated, the wine was fermented in half-ton open-top containers and aged for just over 24 months in oak. A more medium-bodied, softer expression of Tannat, with crunchy red berry fruit character, elegant minerality, and a litany of herbs and Indian spices.

2020

Producer

Name

The Bingham Family Vineyards Mourvèdre Estate Reserve is a bold and intense red, packed with green tobacco, red currant, and fig fruits. The tannins are strong, offering a substantial structure, while the limestone minerality is particularly pronounced, with a distinctive, earthy character. This wine has a definite place at the table, but demands rich, creamy cheeses or smoky/hearty meats to balance its herbal and tannic intensity.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2019

2019 Siboney Cellars Storm Breaker, Newsome Vineyards Merlot

-

$$

2019

2019 Spicewood Vineyards The Independence

Still

N/A

2019

2019 Terra Trails Winery Buena Suerte Vineyard, Sangiovese

Still

N/A

2020

2020 Adega Vinho Estate Mourvèdre

Still Wine

$

2020

2020 Adega Vinho Estate Tempranillo

Still Wine

$

2020

2020 Becker Vineyards Barbera

Still

N/A

2020

2020 Becker Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve

Still

$

2020

2020 Becker Vineyards Malbec Reserve

Still

$

2020

2020 Becker Vineyards Petire Sirah

Still

$

2020

2020 Becker Vineyards Ranger Hays

Still

N/A

2020

2020 Bending Branch Winery Camp Lucy Vineyard Lucy’s Reserve Red Wine

Still Wine

$

2020

2020 Bending Branch Winery Camp Lucy Vineyard Malbec

Still Wine

$

2020

2020 Bending Branch Winery Camp Lucy Vineyard, Petit Verdot

Still

$

2020

2020 Bending Branch Winery Lost Pirogue Vineyard, Estate Souzao

Still

$$

2020

2020 Bending Branch Winery Lost Pirogue Vineyard, Estate Tannat

Still Wine

$$

2020

2020 Bingham Family Vineyards Mourvèdre Estate Reserve

Still

N/A

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