Texas – Page 3 – Cristaldi & Co

2020

Limestone Terrace Vineyard

Estate Mourvèdre

Limestone Terrace’s Esate Mourvèdre is crafted from fruit grown on their Limestine Terrace Vineyard in the Teas HIll County AVA. Aged 20 months in neutral American oak, it leads with red-toned fruit notes and baking spice character, tinged with a hint of molasses. Medium-bodied, its mineral-scented tannins are taught and firm.

Red

2020

Limestone Terrace Vineyard

Teroldego

This Teroldego from the Texas High Plains, sourced from the Pepper Jack Vineyard, was aged for 20 months in oak. Most often associated with Italy’s Alto Adige, Teroldego does well in this area of Texas, and this red demonstrates that variety is one that Texas grape growers should continue to explore. The wine is polished and expressive, with elegant granitic mineral intensity framing ripe, savory currant fruit, herbs, and brown spice notes. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers a wealth of firm, nicely integrated tannins that have rounded edges, providing a smooth structure. The wine finishes with a flashy burst of sweet currant fruit and chocolate-covered figs.

Red

2020

Lost Draw Wines

Lost Draw Vineyard, Malbec

The Lost Draw Vineyard Malbec from the Texas High Plains is sourced from a 60-acre site on sandy soils with a limestone base. It opens with alluring notes of crunchy red cherry and strawberry fruit, mingling with cherry pit and espresso bean nuances. Medium-bodied, the wine delivers more intense red fruit flavors on the palate, supported by silky, polished tannins that glide smoothly. The finish reveals hints of underbrush and limestone minerality, adding depth and complexity to this balanced Malbec.

Red

2020

Lost Draw Wines

Tempranillo

The 2022 Texas Hill Country Tempranillo from Lost Draw is a fine, easy-drinking red, featuring tart red-toned fruit and cedarwood spice, with a subtle hint of wild herb notes.Medium-bodied, it has a touch of meaty richness on the palate, balanced by a firm spine of acidity that adds freshness. The finish is long, marked by dried floral nuances and pomegranate fruit character, making for a red that is both vibrant and complex.

Red

2020

Lost Draw Wines

Veraison Hills Vineyard, Mourvèdre

The Lost Draw Mourvèdre comes from the 20-acre Veraison Hills Vineyard in the Texas HIll Country, planted on the Hickory aquifer in 2016 by Mike and Deanna Dickey. It’s a super mineral-driven red with intense, granular, and grippy tannins that resolve through a welath of red-toned fruit and spice notes.Nuances of underbush and an obvious limestone mineral character linger through the lenghty, white pepper infused finish.

Red

2020

Pedernales Cellars

Canted County Vineyards, Tempranillo Reserva

The Canted County Vineyards Tempranillo Reserva 2020 from Pedernales is a fantastic red wine with excellent concentration and depth of fruit and spice flavors, showcasing impressive overall structure. Full-bodied, it offers a harmonious balance of red and black-toned fruits, currant jam, and subtle hints of loamy earth and black tea. The wine finishes with a long, satisfying note of chocolate-covered figs, leaving you wanting more.

Red

2020

Pedernales Cellars

Gran Reserva Tempranillo

Sourced from Canted County Vineyard and aged to Rioja Gran Reserva standards in 100% new French oak, this limited production of just 75 cases will be released in December 2025. Wow—this is fantastic! One of the best wines I tasted during my trip to Texas in October 2025 for the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. It’s bold, robust, rich, and supple, with high-toned black cherry, blackberry, and fig fruit layered over dark loamy earth, dried violets, and cherry liqueur notes. Currant fruit and fine-grained tannins build across the palate, leading to a supple, dark-fruited finish with nuances of unsweetened cocoa powder and impressive intensity through the full-bodied close. Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken planted their first vineyard near Fredericksburg in the early 1990s, founding what would eventually become Pedernales Cellars, named after the nearby Pedernales River. In 2005, their children, David and Julie, joined the business, which remains family-run.

Red

2020

Pedernales Cellars

Lahey Vineyards, Tempranillo

Pedernales’ Lahey Vineyards Tempranillo is a polished medium- to full-bodied red wine with plump, velvety tannins and satiny-soft red fruit that offers both depth and integrity. Fragrant rose petal notes mingle beautifully with ripe raspberry and the crunchy character of pomegranate seeds. The wine finishes with a satisfying richness, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and complexity.

Red

2020

Reddy Wines

Ready Vineyards, TNT Tempranillo

The Tempranillo was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, while the Touriga Nacional spent 24 months in 100% neutral oak. This is the standout wine in the Reddy Wines lineup, showing lovely sweet red berry fruit, dried violets, and unsweetened cocoa powder. The palate is fresh and energetic through the mid-section, supported by powerful, robust tannins that carry a bright blood orange and dusty mineral finish. A very nice wine.

Red

2020

Rivenburgh Wine

Rustic Spur Vineyards Souzao

This is another variety that performs exceptionally well in Texas, and in the hands of John Rivenburgh it shows remarkable focus and precision. Expressive and juicy acidity drives the wine, balanced by fine, firm tannins with a distinct mineral edge. Blue fruit aromatics and cassis mingle with loamy earth, brown spice, and wet slate notes. A rock-solid wine with freshness, tension, and energy that perfectly support its rich profile.

Red

2020

Ron Yates

Friesen Vineyards, Tempranillo

The Ron Yates Tempranillo from Friesen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains is a rich, densely layered, and expressive wine. It showcases bold red berry and dark fruit character, with black cherry, currant, and fig notes. The tannins are intense and robust, firm and structured, providing a solid backbone that provides framing for a lengthy finish of dark cocoa and molasses richness.

Red

2020

Siboney Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon

This was one of the nicest wines I tasted during my impromptu visit to Siboney Cellars. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Challis (Clone 47) and Lahey (Clone 8) vineyards, it’s a great value at an SRP of $65—an impressively well-made Texas Cabernet. Dark berry fruit, loamy earth, violets, and crème de cassis lift from the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins and a salty, saline minerality on the earth-driven finish.

Red

2020

Tatum Cellars

Grenache

This 100% Grenache from Tatum Cellars hails from Hoover Valley Vineyard, located in the Texas Hill Country AVA. It’s a fantastic, red-toned fruited and medium-bodied red, with compelling espresso bean nuances, and lovely floral notes of dried violets and rose petals. Hints of underbrush and coca powder are carried along on a long finish that shows a wet slate minerality.

Red

2020

Tatum Cellars

Mourvèdre

A 100% Mourvèdre from the Salt Lick Vineyard in Texas Hill Country, this is a muscular and full-bodied red with both red- and blue-toned fruit flavors, and plenty of brown baking spice notes. Robust tannins frame a focused palate with high-toned herbal and rich cedarwood spices that carry through the finish. Polished, expressive and delicious.

Red

2020

Tatum Cellars

Syrah

Here’s a full-bodied, succulent, and generous Syrah from Tatum Cellars and the Salt Lick Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country. This red presents lovely violets and red berry fruits, with subtle blue fruit undertones, slate, and a touch of salty minerality. Balanced by a long, juicy finish, that resolves its richness of palate fruit.

Red

2020

Terra Trails Winery

Autumn Red Blend

The Autumn Red Blend from Terra Trails is vibrant and flavorful, packed with red currant fruit, cinnamon, and coriander spices, all interwoven with hints of strawberry fruit leather. Medium-bodied, it features firm, taut, and intensely grippy tannins that provide structure, leading to a mineral-rich finish. This wine offers a good balance of spice, fruit, and grip.

Red

2020

Terra Trails Winery

Doggone Vineyard, Malbec

The Doggone Vineyard Malbec from Terra Trails has notes of hazelnuts and dried rose petals, accompanied by red currant fruits. Medium-bodied and salty on entry, green tobacco notes emerge over the red currant fruits in the mouth, all building to a dry, medium-bodied finish.

Red

2020

Terra Trails Winery

Reddy Vineyard, Petit Verdot

A medium-bodied, soft red wine with elegant intensity, the Reddy Vineyard Petit Verdot offers vibrant notes of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry, laced with mocha and rose petal aromas. Very easy to drink, this wine is best served with a slight chill.

Red

2020

Terra Trails Winery

Reddy Vineyard, Tempranillo

The Reddy Vineyard Tempranillo is a medium-bodied red that offers vibrant candied red fruit, currant flavors, and sweet mulled spice aromas, along with notes of fig paste, currant jam, and toasty cedarwood. The wine is full-flavored and delicious, with nuanced toffee spice elements that add depth. Its rich profile makes it an excellent pairing for Texas smoked brisket

Red

2020

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Estate Alicante Bouschet

This 100% Alicante Bouschet, sourced from the Texas Heritage Vineyard, was aged for up to 38 months in mostly neutral barrels. The wine opens with perfumed aromas of currants and pressed violets, complemented by mocha-dusted fig notes. Medium- to full-bodied, it showcases a dynamic and expressive profile of red- and black-toned fruits, supported by grippy, intense, and firm tannins that are impressively well-integrated at this stage. The finish is marked by a distinctive salty, wet slate character, adding a touch of minerality to its structure.

Red

2020

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Estate Tannat

This 100% Tannat, sourced from Texas Heritage Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country, comes from vines planted in 2017. Aged for up to 36 months in mostly neutral American oak, the wine reflects the subtle mineral character of the vineyard’s limestone soils—a feature owner Susan Johnson highlights as key to their terroir. Bright, crunchy red fruit flavors mingle with white pepper spice, currants, tanned leather, and tobacco notes, creating a complex and layered profile. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers good density and structure, balanced by a smooth, approachable finish. Remarkably impressive for third-leaf fruit, this wine is both a testament to its potential and a total crowd-pleaser.

Red

2020

Triple R Ranch

Longhorn

The Longhorn Reserve Shiraz (supplemented with 10% Alicante Bouschet), offers pretty red floral notes that intermingle with crunchy red berry fruit and spices. On the medium-bodied palate, the wine builds with richness and intensity, layered with apple skin tannins and laced with subtle hints of white pepper, sage, and tobacco.

Red

2021

Arrowhead Creek Vineyard

Montepulciano

This Montepulciano (augmented with 5% Aglianico) from Arrowhead Creek Vineyards offers a heady mix of sweet red berry fruits, with fine-grained tannins that provide good presence and build intensity on the mid-palate. The wine is balanced by vibrant blood orange acidity, complemented by smoky mineral notes, toasty cedarwood, and crushed prairie herbs.

Red

2021

Arrowhead Creek Vineyard

Proprietary Red Wine

From Arrowhead Creek Vineyards comes this 95% Malbec (supported by and 5% Aglianico). This is a focused, meaty red wine, with nuances of black olives, licorice, and a charcuterie, all delivered with intensity through the medium-bodied finish.

Red

2021

Bending Branch Winery

Camp Lucy Vineyard Lucy's Reserve Red Wine

Quite a bold, savory red wine building out of the glass with brandied black cherry and blackberry fruit, leather, tobaccoa and black pepepper, rose stem and dried rose petal notes framed by a salty mienral complexity and cocoa powder tannins that linger through a coffee bean and wet slate finish. Plenty of dark fruit and spice complexiy and great mouthfeel here. A very satisfying wine, ideal for brisket.

Red

2021

Bending Branch Winery

Tallent Vineyards, Mourvèdre

Bending Branch Winery’s Tallent Vineyards Mourvèdre from the Texas Hill Country is sourced from vines planted at 1,620 feet in Hickory sandstone soils. The wine undergoes whole berry maceration and is aged for 24 months in oak. Bright red-toned fruits, reminiscent of strawberry and black currants, are tinged with vanilla and persist on the medium-bodied palate. The wine finishes with a long, expressive note of espresso bean, adding complexity.

Red

2021

Bingham Family Vineyards

Roussanne

The Roussanne Estate Reserve from Bingham Family Vineyards, sourced from their High Plains vineyards, kicks off with fragrant notes of prairie grass, chamomile tea, and honeycomb. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers a creamy richness that builds with layers of coriander cream, peach cobbler, and a touch of salted caramel cream. Despite its depth, the wine retains a bright and refreshing character, finishing strong with an excellent balance of richness and vibrancy.

White

2021

Blackmon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Fermented in barrel and aged for up to 16 months in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced entirely from the 7-acre Blackmon Ranch Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country AVA. This is a bold expression of Cabernet from this site, with inky dark berry fruit, toasty oak spices, black cherry, graphite, and pressed wildflowers. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with mineral-laced, fine-grained tannins supported by a solid beam of mouthwatering acidity and freshness. The lengthy finish carries a touch of mesquite smoke. Impressively structured and complex, this is a wine to enjoy now and over the next decade. Made by Winemaker Tony Offill, who also makes wine for William Chris Vineyards.

Red

2021

Blackmon Wines

County Line Red Blend

The County Line Red Blend from Blackmon, sourced from the Texas Hill Country AVA, is a rich and expressive wine, offering abundant black currant fruit, fig, dark cocoa, and toasty oak notes, all creating a beautifully layered profile. Full-bodied, it features plush, velvet-textured tannins and plenty of grippy acidity, which helps maintain freshness and vibrancy throughout. Well-balanced and tension-filled, with a mid-palate richness that builds complexity, this red is both inviting and sophisticated. The winemaker is Anthony Offhill.

Red

2021

Blackmon Wines

Merlot

This is a brooding, intense, and nicely structured Texas Hill Country Merlot from Blackmon. It presents spiced black cherry and plum fruits, complemented by fine cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied on the palate, it is framed by velvety tannins that provide smooth texture and depth. The wine is layered with ironstone minerality, carrying through to a lengthy finish.

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 MB, 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

Limestone Terrace Vineyard

Estate Mourvèdre

Limestone Terrace Vineyard

Teroldego

Lost Draw Wines

Lost Draw Vineyard, Malbec

Lost Draw Wines

Tempranillo

Lost Draw Wines

Veraison Hills Vineyard, Mourvèdre

Pedernales Cellars

Canted County Vineyards, Tempranillo Reserva

Pedernales Cellars

Gran Reserva Tempranillo

Pedernales Cellars

Lahey Vineyards, Tempranillo

Reddy Wines

Ready Vineyards, TNT Tempranillo

Rivenburgh Wine

Rustic Spur Vineyards Souzao

Ron Yates

Friesen Vineyards, Tempranillo

Siboney Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon

Tatum Cellars

Grenache

Tatum Cellars

Mourvèdre

Tatum Cellars

Syrah

Terra Trails Winery

Autumn Red Blend

Terra Trails Winery

Doggone Vineyard, Malbec

Terra Trails Winery

Reddy Vineyard, Petit Verdot

Terra Trails Winery

Reddy Vineyard, Tempranillo

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Estate Alicante Bouschet

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Estate Tannat

Triple R Ranch

Longhorn

Arrowhead Creek Vineyard

Montepulciano

Arrowhead Creek Vineyard

Proprietary Red Wine

Bending Branch Winery

Camp Lucy Vineyard Lucy's Reserve Red Wine

Bending Branch Winery

Tallent Vineyards, Mourvèdre

Bingham Family Vineyards

Roussanne

Blackmon

Cabernet Sauvignon