2022

Cristaldi Scores

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Wine

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Johnson Estate Winery

Freelings Creek Reserve Chambourcin

Two acres of own-rooted Chambourcin are grown on the estate, planted in the late 1990s, which source this wine. Fermented on the skins for seven days, the wine was then aged in French and Hungarian oak, with 75% new oak used for extraction. Perfumed aromas of red fruit, rose petals, and espresso bean lead into a medium-bodied palate that layers sweet strawberry and raspberry with hints of passion fruit. Brown baking spices emerge on the long finish.

Red

2022

Kaena Wine

Tierra Alta Vineyard Grenache

A powerful and impressively robust expression of Grenache, this wine carries its 15.1% alcohol with remarkable balance, showing no perceptible heat but delivering full-bodied richness and textural weight on the mid-palate. Spicy red berry fruit leads the aromatic charge, layered with honeysuckle, apricot, and tangerine peel. Notes of guava, cacao bean, and a subtle touch of caramel on the lengthy finish.

Red

2022

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Red Wine, Raj Collection (Green Label)

Kalasi’s 2022 RAJ Collection (Green Label) delivers on the promise of the standout 2021 release, offering a fragrant bouquet of brown spices layered with red and black currant, cherry, and plum. Hints of white pepper, cinnamon, and a trace of curry powder add complexity and lift. Medium-bodied on the palate, with soft, supple tannins and impressive mid-palate concentration. The finish is long, pleasing, and well-balanced. The “RAJ Collection,” named after the family’s son, is a special label crafted only in exceptional vintages. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak.

Red

2022

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Sagrantino

This Sagrantino, the first optically-sorted example of the variety in Texas, is a standout wine. Grown near the Malvasia Bianca blocks on the historic 140-acre Narra Vineyards site in the Texas High Plains, this low-yielding variety thrives in its unique terroir. A true powerhouse,it boasts hefty, muscular, broad-shouldered tannins, complemented by rich red berry fruits, Indian spices, and a touch of cinnamon. The clean, dry finish underscores its structure and aging potential. This is a wine built for the cellar—lay it down to see its full complexity unfold. A remarkable achievement for Texas viticulture.

Red

2022

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Teroldego

I had the pleasure of tasting three vintages of this wine: the inaugural 2017, the 2018, and the 2022, which introduced new French oak and optical sorting (production was limited in 2019, with none made in 2020 and 2021). There’s no question that the 2022 vintage is the most polished and refined of them all. These reds are rich, showcasing black currant and red berry fruits, leather, and layered with pressed flowers and floral elegance. Aged for 24 months in 25% new French oak, the 2022 vintage takes this profile to the next level, adding a richer blue fruit and violet character, complemented by polished tannins and a plump, rounded texture. Crisp, vibrant structure supports the wine’s overall framework, making it both complex and approachable.

Red

2022

Ken Brown Wines

Fiddlestick Vineyard Pinot Noir

Planted in 1998 and nestled in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the Fiddlestix Vineyard benefits from a northwest-facing slope that’s blanketed in cool morning fog and refreshed by afternoon Pacific breezes. In 2022, it delivered a deeply flavorful and expressive Pinot Noir. Aromas of spearmint, pine forest, and black cherry lead into a palate that shifts toward pomegranate, revealing a deep mid-palate of saline-laced acid tension. The tannins are exceptionally fine-grained, providing structure without weight, while the finish unfurls with notes of spiced plum, coriander, and cumin, accented by the faintest whisper of crème brûlée.

Red

2022

Ken Brown Wines

Rancho La Vina Vineyard Pinot Noir

Perched on the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Rancho La Viña Vineyard is relentlessly exposed to Pacific Ocean winds—a defining element that leaves its mark on this robust and expressive Pinot Noir. The wine channels that coastal intensity with a deep core of dark cherry fruit, sea-spray salinity, and aromatic layers of cedarwood, dried rose petals, and crushed sage. Full-bodied and commanding, the tannins are bold and structured, building momentum through a long, mouth-coating finish. Pair this with well-salted red meat or herb-roasted chicken crowned with a rich Béarnaise sauce.

Red

2022

Knapp Winery

Cabernet Franc

Made from 100% estate-grown Cabernet Franc fermented in 1-ton open-top bins with twice-daily punchdowns, this red also includes 14% Merlot sourced from Seneca Lake. After pressing, the wine completed malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels (15% new) with weekly bâtonnage, and was aged for 18 months. Focused and fresh, it opens with bright cherry and raspberry fruit, cedarwood nuances, and fine-grained tannins that carry a velvety quality across the juicy, crunchy-acid finish.

Red

2022

Koehler Wine Estate

Zotovich Pinot Noir

Sourced from the sustainably farmed Zotovich Vineyard, this Pinot Noir was aged for 16 months in 30% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The wine opens with rich black cherry and blackberry fruit layered with expressive cedarwood, wild sage, and pine forest aromatics. On the palate, dark chocolate notes unfold across a medium- to full-bodied frame, supported by fine-grained, velvety tannins. The finish is long and mineral-driven, marked by wet slate and river stone character.

Red

2022

Kriselle Cellars

Malbec

A blue-fruited, cherry-infused, cedarwood laced and wild herb dusted red wine with soaring tannins and white truffle charcuterire balanced by loamy earth notes, and crushed rusty red rocks mienralty through the bone dry finish. This is a zippy, zesty Malbec with good grip and demanding of salty braised meats or hard cheeses.

Red

2022

Kriselle Cellars

Sangiovese

This Sangiovese explodes out of the glass with tart cherry fruit interlaced with espresso bean and salted dark cacao. On the palate, it’s juicy and vibrant, with tart cherry framed by rustic tannins that build to a bold, dry finish. There’s plenty to love in the upfront juiciness, and with those powerful back-end tannins and soaring acid grip, you’ll want salty cheeses or cured meats alongside this expressive red.

Red

2022

Lamoreaux Landing

T23 Unoaked Cabernet Franc

Brambly red berry fruit mingles with cedarwood, brown baking spices, vanilla-coriander cream, and espresso bean aromatics. The palate echoes these notes, with juicy red fruit layered against a frame of elongated, beam-like tannins that lend structure and focus. A firm streak of racy acidity provides lift and tension through the long finish. Sourced from Clone #1 vines in the MJW Vineyard—a 23-acre sustainably certified estate site in the Seneca Lake AVA—utilizing whole-berry, semi-carbonic fermentation.

Red

2022

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Cabernet Franc

This is a super savory and focused red, offering notes of black olive tapenade, black truffle charcuterie, and a hint of red licorice. Wet river stone minerality and blood orange acidity add lift, all supported by crisp, focused tannins. Medium- to full-bodied, with building intensity that carries through to a satisfying finish.

Red

2022

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Graciano

This is a heady, meaty wine with vivid violet aromatics, dark leather, charcuterie notes, and loamy earth. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it shows muscular, broad-shouldered tannins that carry through to a lengthy finish layered with dried herbs, black olive, and earthy undertones.

Red

2022

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Monsastrell

The 2022 Estate Monastrell was fermented in stainless steel and aged for 24 months in large-format barrels, including approximately 30% new French oak. This is a beautifully focused, easy-drinking red with supple, plump tannins and silky fruit on the palate. A mix of red and black fruits is layered with wild herbs, subtle mocha, and crushed cacao nibs. Wonderfully balanced and extremely food-friendly.

Red

2022

Lindquist Family Wines

Bien Nacido Hillside Vineyard Roussanne

A striking Roussanne that showcases purity and precision, this wine opens with fresh orchard fruit notes—pear, apple, and a hint of quince—lifted by aromas of almond paste and delicate white flowers. The medium-bodied palate is textured and layered, energized by vibrant lemon-lime acidity that cuts through richer tones of lemon oil, dried apricot, and honeycomb. Expressive and beautifully balanced, it delivers both freshness and depth in equal measure, with a long, energetic finish that lingers on citrus and floral tones.

White

2022

Living Roots Wine & Co

Marquette

This Marquette (a French-American hybrid) was sourced from Doyle Vineyards on the west side of Keuka Lake, where it tends to ripen early. Pressed off skins and fermented with native yeast, the wine was aged in neutral French oak for 20 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. There’s a wild, sauvage-like character here that sets it apart—tangy and tart red fruit layered with smoky mineral tones, dried flowers, and a distinct sweet herbal-tea quality. Made in a natural style, this wine asks for a curious, open-minded palate.

Red

2022

Long Walk Vineyard

Grenache

A juicy, easy-drinkign Grenache that dlivers the goods as juicy red berry fruit, brown baking spices, a hint of sagebrush, and satiny tannins that bild on the dry finish.

Red

2022

Loubud Wines

Peake Ranch Blanc de Noirs

Green apple and candied minerality leap from the glass, introducing this vibrant sparkler. Beneath the assertive, fine mousse lies a core of weighty orchard fruit, unfolding with layers of white plum and golden Rainier cherry on the light-bodied palate.

Rosé

2022

Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards

Estate Pinot Noir

Sourced from sustainably farmed estate vineyards and aged 10 months sur lies in French oak barrels (31% new), this Pinot Noir is bold and expressive. Aromas of ripe raspberry and strawberry leap from the glass, accented by new wood cedar. The palate is framed by firm, structured tannins and layered with river stone minerality, pressed wildflowers, and a fragrant burst of blood orange that energizes the mid-palate.

Red

2022

Macari Vineyards

"Alexandra" Red Blend

A blend of Bordelaise varieties crafted to reflect the estate’s top-performing vineyard blocks in exceptional vintages. Aged 15 to 22 months in French oak, 28% new. Brighter than the Bergen Road bottling, this shows vivid blackberry and black cherry fruit, with fine-grained yet robust cocoa powder tannins that build toward a powerful, expressive finish. Aromatic spice and soaring personality underscore the wine’s purity and polish. Clean, dark-fruited, and beautifully structured—this is among the finest red blends I’ve tasted from New York State.

Red

2022

Macari Vineyards

"Bergen Road" Red Blend

A blend of Bordelaise varieties aged 15 to 22 months in 30% new French oak. This is another polished, expressive wine from this producer, with a core of red and black fruit, cassis-driven and laced with elegant cedarwood spice, coriander, and a dusty mineral edge. Medium- to full-bodied with plump, juicy fruit on the mid-palate and spiced plum tones, it finishes with pressed florals and a sinewy, dusty tannic backbone that builds and lingers

Red

2022

Macari Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

100% Cabernet Franc, destemmed with a 15-day maceration on the skins, then aged 15 months in neutral French oak. This is a powerful, black-fruited expression layered with red berry brightness, black olive, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Firm, taut, mineral-laced tannins provide structure, while the finish lingers with wild herbs and dusty, grippy nuances that underscore the wine’s depth and seriousness.

Red

2022

McGrail Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

This 100% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in French oak, comes from Clone 11 (French 214) grown at Lucky 8 Vineyard in the southeastern portion of the Livermore Valley. The wine explodes from the glass with bold oak overtones framing blackberry and spiced plum fruit. It’s a meaty, heady wine layered with loamy earth, pressed violets, soft, supple tannins, and loads of juicy character. This is your burger Cabernet Franc—some for the meat on the grill, the rest for the glass.

Red

2022

Melville

Estate Syrah

Syrah fruit for this wine comes from both the East Side and West Side estate properties. It was fermented with 65% whole cluster in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel bins, then pressed to barrel and aged for 11 months prior to bottling. This is a far more approachable Syrah than Donna’s Block—juicier and more supple, with blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry fruit leading the way. The tannins are gentler, yet still carry a crisp, crunchy edge, balanced by expressive, juicy acidity with a blood orange character. Aromatically complex, the wine offers layers of perfumed rose petals, clove, and incense, with dried sage and spearmint adding nuance. Super fresh, inviting, and wonderfully complete.

Red

2022

Melville

Estate Syrah, Donna's Block

Donna’s Block is located on the east side of the estate, surrounding the winery. Fermented with 100% whole cluster in 1.5-ton open-top stainless steel bins, this wine requires foot-stomping in the early days to break things up enough for punchdowns. “The stems are perfectly ripe,” says assistant winegrower Garrett Adelman. After fermentation, the wine is pressed to all neutral oak and aged for 18 months. Typically picked in November, the grapes never become overripe—pH remains low, preserving freshness and balance. Let me tell you: this is one of the most expressive Syrahs you’ll taste from the Sta. Rita Hills. It’s a complex enigma of a wine—medium- to full-bodied, with firm, taut, mineral-laced tannins that carry a subtle meaty quality, reminiscent of the best black truffle charcuterie you’ve ever had. That profound structure frames juicy black cherry, early-season blueberry, and blackberry seed, layered with clove, allspice, incense, rose stem, perfumed violets, both fresh and dried. The finish? So very long. Just—wow.

Red

2022

Michael Ros

Dolcetto

This Dolcetto from the Michael Ros Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is a bright, high-toned, and spicy red wine with notes of agave and red licorice. Framed by gentle, well-integrated tannins, it’s lean yet packs power and intensity, carrying through to a savory, dried herb finish.

Red

2022

Milea Estate Vineyard

BDX Red Blend (Farmhouse Collection)

Rich cassis and currant fruit are layered with earthy Hudson Valley forest tones and savory sage. The medium-bodied palate builds with notes of espresso bean and firm, burly tannins, all driven by coiled acidity that fuels a long, mouthwatering finish.

Red

2022

Milea Estate Vineyard

Cabernet Franc (Farmhouse Collection)

A blend of fruit from Long Island and the Hudson Valley, aged in 10% new French oak (confirm via tech sheet). This is a well-knit, expressive Cabernet Franc showing both red and black fruit, with cedarwood and graham cracker spice layered over sagebrush and tobacco leaf aromatics. The medium-bodied palate carries those same notes forward, supported by fine-grained, cohesive tannins and finishing with a lift of cocoa powder, blood orange, and raspberry fruit.

Red

2022

Milea Estate Vineyard

Reserve Cabernet Franc

A very elegant Cabernet Franc with a muscular framework of robust, velvety tannins. Bright, pure red berry fruit leads the way, with crunchy cherry and apple-like nuance. Hints of dark salted chocolate thread from the nose through to the tannins, carrying into a mouthwatering, acid-driven finish.

Red

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2022

Producer

Name

Aged for 18 months in a mix of American and French oak, this red delivers a satiny, supple palate feel with full-bodied yet approachable tannins. Dark berry fruit anchors the profile, joined by notes of blueberry, black cherry, and dark chocolate. Easygoing and versatile, this is a red you can enjoy on its own—ideal as a pre-dinner pour. For the main course? Reach for the Purple Label and pair it with a well-salted New York strip.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

One of three vineyard-designated Carménère wines by Cuda Ridge, the Insel Vineyard Carménère was aged for 18 months in French oak (50% new). Wow—are we in Chile or the Livermore Valley? You might be just as confused when you nose this super meaty red, packed with licorice and black olive overtones, black cherry and blackberry fruit, and classic cigar box and cedar nuances. Juicy blue fruit compote leads the way to iron-laced tannins—firm, yet soft and satiny at the edges. Layers of loamy earth, pressed wildflowers, dried violets, and lavender round out this complex and compelling red.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

This blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec from White Cat Vineyard, along with Merlot from Thatcher Bay, was aged for 17 months in 60% new French oak. It’s a dark-fruited, velvety wine with graphite minerality layered with dried sage, scrub brush, and powerful tannins that lay a solid foundation for juicy dark fruit. The palate glides to a savory, mineral-driven finish. It’s a cool wine—in every sense: cooling in its supple dark berry expression, cool in its herbal lift, and just plain cool to drink for its enticing texture.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Fermented in open-top half-ton bins with daily punchdowns, this Merlot-based blend was aged for 19 months in 44% new French oak and 10% American oak. Sourced from Thatcher Bay (Merlot), Smith Ranch (Petit Verdot), and White Cat Vineyard (Cabernet Sauvignon), it’s a savory, dried-herb-driven red with rich aromatics and a laser focus. With a pH of 3.46, the wine shows excellent acidity, grip, and tension—making it one of the most food-friendly Merlots in the region. Winemaker Larry Dino notes that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Livermore had set its sights on Merlot as the variety to champion. But with the fallout from Sideways, that focus shifted—today, Cabernet Franc has taken center stage. Still, this wine is a reminder of Merlot’s potential in the Livermore Valley when handled with this level of care and intent.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The Italian city of Alba is a sister city to Medford, Oregon, and Sorella—the Italian word for sister—honors that connection. This 100% Barbera Clone 6 was aged in 28% new French oak and delivers a bold, dark-fruited profile, laced with cherry, cherrywood, raspberry, and spiced plums. Robust, chocolaty tannins and tangy blood orange acidity carry through to the finish, giving this wine both power and vibrancy.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Sourced from the Crown Block portion of Stone Patch—a 4-acre parcel on a sloping hillside within a 10-acre vineyard—this is the latest-ripening site for Darcie Kent. The grapes underwent a cold soak before fermentation and were aged for 20 months in approximately 30% new French oak. The result is a power-packed, muscular wine with broad-shouldered tannins and a juicy profile of mulberry and dark fruit. Layers of leather, wild herbs, smoked paprika, and a hint of Mexican mocha shape the finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

A blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec from Stone Patch Vineyard, aged for 21 months in French oak. This is a coiled, energetic, and currant-driven Cabernet Franc, marked by zesty acid tension and intensely tart, grippy tannins that resolve beautifully through a streak of blood orange acidity. Pressed wildflowers and crushed cocoa nibs add intrigue, while white pepper and dried sage fuel the long, savory finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Sourced from Triska Vineyard, the Pinot Noir for this sparkling wine grows on north-facing slopes under shade cloth, and was picked early—around August 9. Winemaker Julian Halasz partners with a sparkling house in Lodi for aging. The wine spent 19 months on the lees and was finished with a dosage of 8 g/L. It opens with a lovely biscuity nose of lemony brioche and fresh pastry. The mousse is rich and creamy, with a finish marked by crushed Marcona almonds and a hint of vanilla bean. Baked orchard fruit fills in the mid-palate, making this a thoroughly delicious sparkler.

White

2022

Producer

Name

Sourced entirely from the Triska Vineyard, this wine is crafted from multiple picks, each fermented separately in open-top bins with frequent punchdowns to maximize tannin extraction. The lots are gently pressed just before dryness and then aged for 8 months in 40% new French oak. This is a bold, ripe expression, brimming with dark cherry, fig, and mocha notes. Rich toffee and high-toned floral aromatics add lift, while the medium-bodied palate is framed by fine-grained tannins that offer grip and texture. The savory finish lingers with a melange of dried herbs—sage, straw grass, and more—adding complexity.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 Del Rio Estate Syrah is bold and dark-fruited, with violet aromas and cherry-laced intensity. It shows impressive concentration, supported by a bulwark of velvety tannins that frame all that juicy fruit. Expressive and powerful, yet elegant, it finishes with tremendous length as the violet notes turn candied and are dusted with fragrant Indian spices. A long and deeply satisfying Syrah.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Though labeled simply as “Red Wine” on the back label, this is 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier, likely co-fermented in the tradition of the Northern Rhône. It’s also one of the most unabashedly savory reds you’ll find in the Santa Ynez Valley. Aromatics lean hard into black olive tapenade, black licorice, and dried cherry. The palate is firmly structured, with burly, drying tannins that shape the medium-bodied finish. A brooding and deeply earthy wine that will shine brightest alongside roasted meats or richly spiced fare.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Fred Frank is bullish on Blaufränkisch, believing the variety thrives in the microclimates surrounding the Finger Lakes. The 2022 Dr. Konstantin Frank Blaufränkisch is a beautifully expressive wine, offering dark berry aromatics layered with cedarwood spice and a hint of mocha. The palate is medium-bodied and refined, with gentle, satiny tannins, brown spice, and subtle slate-like minerality. A bright citrus peel note drives the lengthy finish. Fruit was destemmed and cold-soaked, inoculated in stainless steel, then aged for 16 months in a mix of mostly neutral and 20% new French oak.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Fred Frank says the challenge for their Cabernet Franc lies in keeping yields to around three tons per acre, with careful leaf cropping and aging in French oak. This is a beautifully balanced, expressive example of Cabernet Franc—arguably one of the most structured and refined I tasted from the region. Red berry fruit mingles with elegant cedarwood spice and a fragrant pomegranate seed freshness. Medium-bodied with gorgeously firm, velvety tannins that anchor a core of crunchy red fruit, the palate is laced with refined baking spices and a touch of classic Cabernet Franc spice. The finish is mineral-driven, taut with acidity, and bursting with coiled energy. A wine to enjoy now and over the next 15–20+ years.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

All you really need to know about this Rita’s Crown Chardonnay is that one glass will never be enough. You’ll swirl, sniff, sip—and suddenly want to chase its magic for days. It holds the energy of a late afternoon thunderstorm, with a moody edge and an electrically zesty palate, like a raincloud squeezing out lemon juice, shifting to lemon oil, then unleashing waves of fresh and candied ginger. It splashes across the palate like rain on slick slate—slightly smoky from the first drops hitting warm stone. Irresistible, complex, and utterly compelling. You just can’t get enough of this structured, dynamic, and gorgeous Chardonnay. It lives on the far side of “delicious”—a word we haven’t invented yet, but one that would mean delicious multiplied by infinity.

White

2022

Producer

Name

Year to year, this wine goes in and out of the most vivid floral intensity imagineable and in 2022 it is back in spades, boasting darkly seductive voilets and rose petals notes, dark blood orange acidity, darker cranberry and black cherry notes, alluring incense and a deep woodsy underbrush character, liek the backside of a fallen bark on the forest floor, detail-driven into the tannins, which are supple and salty, giving length, tension, and energy to this entry level Syrah from Dragonette. What a killer wine.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Leaping from the glass are heady aromas of sweet and savory spice—cinnamon, clove, incense, and allspice—intertwined with black cherry fruit dusted in cinnamon and a zing of grapefruit zest. On the palate, sinewy tannins and electric, crunchy acidity create a tingling sensation at the front, while that rich spice character continues to flood the olfactory senses. It’s wildly aromatic and deeply spiced—a wine that practically demands two bottles: one for the glass, and one for cooking. It will enhance rich sauces and braised meats with wonderful spice character.