Texas – Page 12 – Cristaldi & Co

2024

Rhinory

Tokio Vineyard, Tempranillo

From Tokio Vineyard in Tokio, Texas, this Tempranillo was fermented in stainless steel and aged in 25% new American oak. It shows ripe red currant and cherry fruit with a touch of dusty minerality in a medium-bodied expression. Sappy, maple-laced tannins frame the palate, joined by cured bacon and sweet spice notes on the lengthy, mineral-rich, bone-dry finish.

Red

2024

Rhinory

Veesart Vineyard, Albarino

Veesart Vineyards is a 45-acre site in Shallowater, Texas, northwest of Lubbock. This wine underwent a slow, cold fermentation to preserve its bright, ripe aromatics of banana pudding, white peach, and delicate white florals. A touch of skin contact adds texture, leading to a precise, crisp, and crunchy palate expression with citrus fruit and subtle apple-skin tannins.

White

2024

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 24 00 RCV CHA, Robert Clay Vineyards, Chardonnay

A small-batch production of just 69 cases—three barrels total—this wine was aged for 14 months in neutral oak, unfiltered, and estate bottled. It’s a dynamic white with a slightly richer expression than the laser-focused 2023 vintage, showing broader mid-palate appeal with riper orchard fruit taking the place of citrus. Bright wildflower notes and subtle baking spice add complexity. Exceptionally detailed for a Texas-grown Chardonnay, crafted by some of the most meticulous winemakers in the state—these guys literally analyze cluster by cluster and pick off berries they don’t want, and you can taste the precision.

White

2024

Robert Clay Vineyards

G 24 00 RCV PET NAT

A blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, this wine is native yeast–fermented in an egg-shaped fermenter and finished as a Pét-Nat. It’s exceptionally clean and polished, with a creamy texture and bright flavors of cranberry, strawberry, and white peach. The mousse is rich, vibrant, and creamy, delivering a pure and expressive sparkling wine.

Rosé

2024

Slate Theory

Viognier

Fermented and aged for 10 months in 100% neutral oak, this wine is super bright and energetic, showing excellent layers of citrus, orchard, and subtle tropical fruit. A gentle honeyed richness lingers on the finish, giving it both freshness and depth. Easy to drink and beautifully balanced, with a fantastic finish.

White

2024

Slate Theory Winery

Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Like the 2023, this was fermented in stainless steel, with aging split between partial acacia wood puncheons—used to build mid-palate weight and aromatic intensity—and stainless steel for five months. Fragrant honeydew melon, white peach, and jasmine aromas lift from the glass, all making appearances on the light- to medium-bodied palate. A silky, satiny fruit profile builds with added complexity, ranging from crunchy green apple to pear and more white peach, finishing with a long, chalky mineral note.

White

2024

Slate Theory Winery

The Orderly Rosé

Fermented and aged in stainless steel for five months, this is a blend of 65% Sangiovese and 35% Nebbiolo. Bright strawberry and watermelon notes lead, with bracing, crunchy acid tension and a long, mineral-driven finish. Ideal with salmon, thinly sliced tuna, or tuna tartare.

Rosé

2024

Uplift

Marsanne

The Marsanne is a bright, buttery, lemon-scented, white-floral-driven wine that’s light to medium-bodied with a touch of sea salt minerality and a finish of vanilla and baking spices. In short, it’s enticing and delicious. Uplift farms 55 acres within the Hoover’s Valley, which runs through the Llano Uplift, one of the more impressive repositories of rare earth minerals found in the USA. Claire Richardson is the winemaker.

White

2024

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Grenache

This might be one of my all-time favorite wines from Uplift. It has everything you want in American-grown Grenache—from tart red cherry fruit and elegant cherry woodsmoke and clove nuances to the blood orange acidity that drives the medium-bodied palate. Velvety tannins frame a cedarwood-spiced, wild-herb-kissed red with a wonderfully satiny texture, kept lively by that acid tension and perfectly in sync with the fruit and bold spice character. It’s complex, balanced, and deeply impressive. If I were an Uplift fan, I’d buy it by the case and stockpile it as fast as I could. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 22 months in 40% new French and Eastern European oak. Uplift farms 55 acres within the Hoover’s Valley, which runs through the Llano Uplift, one of the more impressive repositories of rare earth minerals found in the USA. Claire Richardson is the winemaker.

Red

2024

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Mourvedre Blanc

Having never tasted a Mourvèdre Blanc before, I was both surprised and delighted. It shows a lemon-gold color in the glass and boasts notes of lime zest, lemon, and vanilla, all of which build on the light to medium-bodied palate. Silky-textured citrus and orchard fruit are supported by chalky minerality on the bone-dry finish. Direct press. Fermented and aged for 8 months in neutral oak barrels. Uplift farms 55 acres within the Hoover’s Valley, which runs through the Llano Uplift, one of the more impressive repositories of rare earth minerals found in the USA. Claire Richardson is the winemaker.

White

2024

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Roussanne

Texas Roussanne in the hands of Claire Richardson is a completely different and sensationally interesting white compared to what you might know of the grape from the Rhône Valley. It’s not the oily, rich style of France; instead, it’s more focused and mineral, with just a touch of that silky underbelly. The profile leans toward salted lemon peel, crushed Marcona almonds, and pressed white flowers with a hint of chamomile essence. It’s a fabulous wine, perfect to revel in alongside buttery pasta dishes and seafood. Fermented and aged for 8 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Uplift farms 55 acres within the Hoover’s Valley, which runs through the Llano Uplift, one of the more impressive repositories of rare earth minerals found in the USA.

White

2024

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Viognier

The 2024 Viognier from Uplift is highly floral, layered with tangerine oil, vanilla, and crushed almonds, all lifted by cool lemon-lime acidity. Light to medium-bodied, it finishes with a chalky mineral edge. Fermented and aged for 8 months in 40% new French oak barrels. Uplift farms 55 acres within the Hoover’s Valley, which runs through the Llano Uplift, one of the more impressive repositories of rare earth minerals found in the USA. Claire Richardson is the winemaker.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

Alta Loma Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

The Picpoul Blanc from Alta Loma Vineyard—situated at over 3,000 feet elevation and owned and farmed by the Burran and Floyd families—in the Texas High Plains was my favorite white in the William Chris lineup from the 2024 releases. It shows loads of aromatic and flavor intensity with a plush, silky character that’s incredibly enticing. Fleshy pear is nuanced by white floral notes, while crushed almonds and river stone minerality add texture on the palate. The long finish brings richer lemon oil tones with building intensity and complexity. Quite a white wine. Aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks. 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.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

Dell Valley Vineyard, Chenin Blanc

William Chris’ Chenin Blanc from Dell Valley Vineyard (at 3,750 feet elevation) in Hudspeth County clocks in at a modest 11.4% alcohol yet delivers a wealth of citrus and orchard fruit character alongside cool slate minerality and subtle pressed wildflower notes, all framed by crisp, cooling acidity. If you’re enjoying oysters in Texas, this is the wine to sip—or if it’s a hot, humid day, a well-chilled bottle will cut beautifully through anything from barbecue fare to salads and cheese plates. Fermented in stainless steel and oak barriques for an average of 24 days with partial malolactic conversion to retain acidity, then aged for 7 months in large oak fermenters. 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.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

Dell Valley Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc

The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc from William Chris Vineyards hails from Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County. It’s an easy-drinking, bright, citrusy white with notes of cut prairie grass. Subtle in both aroma and flavor intensity, it nonetheless offers a lovely mid-palate richness of orchard fruit and finishes with crunchy minerality. Ideal for sipping on a hot, humid summer day, it’s equally charming as a dinner prep wine in the dead of winter. Fermented for an average of 28 days in large oak fermenters, large concrete fermenters, and oak barriques, then aged for 7 months in a combination of large oak and concrete vessels. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Punchdowns are done by hand, with Tony Offill leading the cellar as Head Winemaker.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard Carignan

From La Pradera Vineyard, picked on the early side and aged for 14 months in large-format neutral oak to preserve freshness, with some stem inclusion adding a touch of spice to the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it shows nice mid-palate depth and richness, with dark berry fruit, violets, saddle leather, and muscular tannins that build on the crisp finish.

Red

2024

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard, Roussanne

This Roussanne from La Pradera Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is undeniably delicious, showcasing crisp orchard fruit, unctuous lemon and tangerine oil, white flowers, and supple textures framed by savory, saline-driven acidity that’s mouthwatering and glides to a wet river stone mineral finish. The vineyard was established in 2010 by Mike and Barbara Paddack with the help of Texas grape growers Andy and Lauren Timmons. Aged for 7 months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral oak barrels. 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.

White

2024

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera/Carignan

From La Pradera Vineyard, this wine was picked on the early side and aged for 14 months in large-format neutral oak to preserve freshness. Some stem inclusion adds a subtle spiciness to the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it shows nice mid-palate depth and richness, with dark berry fruit, violets, and saddle leather notes. Muscular tannins build toward a crisp, structured finish.

Red

N/A

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice Volume 8

The Winemaker’s Choice is a non-vintage blend consisting of 22% Malbec, 10% Carmenère, 3% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah, 32% Graciano, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% 2019 Tempranillo (all from the 2019 vintage); along with 4% 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% 2018 Tempranillo. This well-built red offers savory red currant fruit, charcuterie, white pepper, and dried rose petal notes. Medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, it lingers with plenty of savory spices.

Red

N/A

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice Volume 9

From Brennan Vineyards comes this dynamic non-vintage blend of 27% 2023 Syrah, 4% 2023 Ruby Cabernet, 27% 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% 2020 Tempranillo, and 21% 2020 Syrah. The wine teems with vibrant red cherry, espresso bean, leather, and tobacco notes. Full-bodied, it reveals emerging blue fruit flavors, cherry compote, and pressed violets, creating a rich and layered profile. Lively and energetic, it is framed by firm, well-integrated tannins that provide structure and balance. These non-vintage blends from Brennan Vineyards offer a unique approach to crafting wines, and it’s a style that I believe Texas producers should dig their spurs into more often.

Red

NV

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice / Red Blend

This non-vintage blend has no set formula or constraints from year to year, allowing the winemaker complete creative freedom—a refreshing approach that yields something unique with each release. Issued roughly every 18 months, the current bottling combines Tempranillo, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Ruby Cabernet. The nose is bold and expressive, showing black tea, maple, toffee, espresso, a touch of meatiness, and dried violets. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers flavors of chocolate-covered almonds and fig paste, supported by gritty tannins and a long, spicy finish marked by smoked paprika.

Red

NV

Kerrville Hills

White Wine

This non-vintage white shows impressive character and texture, with a grippy mid-palate and a long, nutty richness that carries through the medium-bodied finish. The palate offers generous fruit weight, featuring layers of apricot and white peach alongside toasted almonds and buttered croissant. There’s real depth and intensity here, complemented by notes of wild herbs and dried honeycomb on the nose.

White

N/A

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Non-Vintage (NV) Stella Solitaria

“Stella Solitaria,” meaning “Lone Star” in Italian, is a blend of 45% Montepulciano and 45% Aglianico (both sourced from Wildseed Farms Vineyard in the Hill Country AVA near Fredericksburg), and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (from Family Vineyard near Brownfield in Terry County). Fermented in open-top small-lot bins, the wine is pressed to tank, cold-settled, and then aged for up to 48 months in mostly neutral oak. The result is an elegant, vibrant red wine with crunchy red fruit flavors, powerful tannins, and notes of mocha. Blood orange acidity and a rich vein of chalky minerality on the finish add balance and complexity to this bright, spicy, and zippy red blend.

Red

2023

Uplift Vineyard

Estate Red III

(Barrel Sample) Incredibly polished with power, energy, and tension, this blend of 70% Monteuplicano, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Sangiovese offers gorgeously pure red fruits laced with vanilla and tobacco spice notes. Medium-bodied with polished tannins that are already poised for foundational success, it shows great promise. This is going to be a killer wine when it’s finally released, and I can’t wait to re-taste it. There’s been a dynamic shift—a watershed moment—in the production of these wines since Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger began consulting with Uplift Vineyard in 2022. The transformation is evident, and this wine is a testament to that evolution, promising an exciting future for these wines.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

White

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Red

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.

Cristaldi Scores

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Rhinory

Tokio Vineyard, Tempranillo

Rhinory

Veesart Vineyard, Albarino

Robert Clay Vineyards

B 24 00 RCV CHA, Robert Clay Vineyards, Chardonnay

Robert Clay Vineyards

G 24 00 RCV PET NAT

Slate Theory

Viognier

Slate Theory Winery

Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Slate Theory Winery

The Orderly Rosé

Uplift

Marsanne

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Grenache

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Mourvedre Blanc

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Roussanne

Uplift

Uplift Vineyard, Viognier

William Chris Vineyards

Alta Loma Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

William Chris Vineyards

Dell Valley Vineyard, Chenin Blanc

William Chris Vineyards

Dell Valley Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard Carignan

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera Vineyard, Roussanne

William Chris Vineyards

La Pradera/Carignan

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice Volume 8

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice Volume 9

Brennan Vineyards

Winemaker's Choice / Red Blend

Kerrville Hills

White Wine

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Non-Vintage (NV) Stella Solitaria

Uplift Vineyard

Estate Red III

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

Producer

Name

Producer

Name

Producer

Name