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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

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2023

Grape Creek Vineyards

Viognier

The Grape Creek Vineyards Viognier opens with high-toned spice notes, hints of prairie grass, and sage, creating a distinctive and aromatic profile. Light- to medium-bodied, it reveals bright citrus fruit on the palate, adding a refreshing dimension. The finish is pleasantly lively, accented by a subtle jalapeño spice that adds an intriguing touch.

2023

Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard

Cabernet Franc Magdalena

This is a striking example of Cabernet Franc, offering chalky minerality and tart red berry fruit layered with violets, rose petals, and a subtle hint of rose stem. Delicate nuances of well-integrated used oak add quiet complexity without overshadowing the purity of fruit. Bright, vivid, and finely layered, it showcases expressive acidity and minerality. Sourced from a 2.5-acre block at Magdalena Vineyard—considered the ripest site in their portfolio—it was aged entirely in a mix of neutral French (225L) and Hungarian (500L) oak barrels. One of the top Cabernet Francs tasted during my time in New York.

2023

Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard

HJW Vineyard Riesling

The first wine from the estate to bear the Demeter Certified seal (sourced from just two blocks), this Riesling channels pure orchard fruit layered with delicate notes of pink Himalayan sea salt. Expressive apple-skin tannins and deeply etched salinity build alongside bracing acid tension, delivering both exuberance and energy. The finish is racy, crystalline, and deeply mineral.

2023

Holus Bolus

Presqu'ile Vineyard Syrah

From Amy Christine MW and Peter Hunken comes this downright thrilling Syrah—an utterly complete wine that captures the soul of the variety. High-toned violet aromatics evoke the spirit of the Northern Rhône, while savory elements of white pepper, black truffle, and charcuterie speak to Syrah’s wilder side. On the palate, it’s driven by zesty, saline-acid tension—imagine a squeeze of blood orange over herb-laced sea salt—balanced by sinewy tannins that bring a muscular architecture to the wine. Agave nectar and dried sage add nuance to the long, spicy finish.Super bright and zesty, complex and layered.

2023

HV Vineyards

Right Bank Chardonnay

Entirely barrel fermented in neutral oak with partial native fermentation and extended lees contact, including bâtonnage for roughly 10 months prior to bottling. The wine offers tropical aromas of pineapple and lemon, accented by subtle vanilla. On the palate, it’s rich and creamy yet silky in texture, framed by chalky minerality and finishing with fragrant wild herbs.

2023

Idol Ridge Winery

Local Culture Sparkling Pinot Noir Pét-Nat

This wild pét-nat has been thoughtfully disgorged—so it won’t erupt and ruin your dress, but it will give you a reason to jump up and down with excitement (just set the bottle down first before showing off your joie de vivre). The mousse is bright, airy, and creamy, delivering terrific texture along with red berry fruit, baking spices, and a savory wild herb finish. Bone dry, with great acid grip.

2023

Johnson Estate Winery

Freelings Creek Reserve Sparkling Traminette

Wow—aromatics of white flowers, honeysuckle, and jasmine lift from the glass, building into a subtly sweet richness and creamy, frothy mousse that finishes with a gentle kiss of floral sweetness and lift. This méthode champenoise-style sparkling Traminette is made from two acres of estate-grown vines planted in 2000. A French-American hybrid developed by Cornell University, Traminette is known for its intense rose-like character.

2023

JONATA

El Alma de JONATA

This wine is intensely expressive, with notes of new leather, white pepper, black cherry, and espresso bean. On the palate, crushed cocoa nib tannins frame a full-bodied richness, while espresso bean oil lingers through the long, layered finish. Nuances of black sage and black sea salt add complexity and depth to a finish that goes on and on.

2023

JONATA

El Desafio de JONATA

This is a gorgeous expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Ballard Canyon but distinctly Jonata in its elegance, structure, and complexity, layered with savory tobacco leaf, sage powder, a touch of white pepper, and cassis—alongside the fresh, wild currant character of New England. On the palate, the wine is extraordinary, with firm, sinewy, chocolatey tannins that are muscular and broad-shouldered. These resolve into dark berry-driven tones, with more cassis and currant fruit layered over a deep, saline mineral tension. Expressive notes of dried rose petals unfurl through a finish that is long, long, long.

2023

JONATA

Fenix

This is an incredibly dramatic wine, with pristine ripeness and beautifully delineated fruit—perfect plums, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. On the palate, these flavors unfold with gorgeous, plump, and supple tannins that carry a cocoa powder freshness and a streak of blood orange acidity. Crushed black sage adds lift and complexity. There’s a refreshing, focused quality throughout, like a beam of acid tension that frames and defines the entire wine.

2023

JONATA

Flor

This is the bright Flower of Ballard Canyon, with expressive notes of honeycomb, white flowers, crushed almonds, sea salt, and sea grass, all framed by bracing, chalky minerality and scintillating acid tension. The mid-palate shows exceptional weight and density, and the finish is everlasting with lingering citrus oil and zest.

2023

JONATA

La Sangre de JONATA

This is the first release of this wine made entirely from own-rooted Syrah grown in pure beach sand. The complexity here is almost beyond comprehension—but you don’t need to understand it. You just need to drink it. The nose is bright and effusive, with black cherry and blackberry fruit, violet, honeysuckle, and jasmine. Bold, glorious tannins build across the full-bodied palate, delivering incredible density. It’s long, layered, and deeply expressive.

2023

JONATA

Tierra

This is 100% Sangiovese—just five barrels, all aged in older oak. It carries a brightness and purity of fruit that firmly situates it in Santa Ynez, where high, golden sunlight and Pacific-scented breezes infuse the wine with clarity and lift. There’s no rusticity here—just vibrant raspberry preserves and sage, anchored by firm, taut, mineral-rich tannins. Subtle hints of tobacco thread through the wine’s coiled energy and textural tension. It’s crunchy and precise now, but that structure will soften and deepen with time. These wines evolve into something profoundly savory—layered with loamy earth, liquid leather, and an undeniable sense of soul. Drink it now for its youthful exuberance, or hold it to experience the full savory fireworks still to come.

2023

JONATA

Todos

This is a super expressive, hedonistic wine—full of joyful, buoyant black and red berry fruit. Lovely violet and candied pastille nuances float alongside ultra-fine, powdery tannins and a wet slate minerality. The finish is everlasting, floral, and utterly captivating.

2023

Kalasi Cellars

Malvasia Bianca, Narra Vineyards

This Malvasia Bianca is a testament to freshness and vibrancy. Grapes were pressed directly in the vineyard using a bladder press, with the juice cold-settled before fermentation and then aged for six months in stainless steel prior to bottling. Sourced entirely from Kalasi’s Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains—located five hours from the winery—refrigerated transport is essential to preserving the quality of the fruit. This light, low-alcohol white is ideal for summer sipping or pairing with spicy, rich dishes. Highly floral and delicate, it features enchanting aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate, it delivers impressive phenolic grip and a vinous character, underpinned by a chalky mineral baseline and bright acid tension. Lean, focused, and utterly refreshing, this white shows both charm and precision.

2023

Kalasi Cellars

Narra Vineyards, Sangiovese Rosé

Made from early-picked grapes, with larger berries and lighter skins, this rosé undergoes pressing directly at the vineyard before being transported to the winery. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by six months of aging in tank before bottling. With a modest 12% alcohol and a light orange hue from brief skin contact, this wine is vibrant and refreshing. It offers bright red berry and high-toned melon fruit notes, layered with savory herbal undertones. The palate is defined by a tart, racy acid backbone that leads to a dry, crisp finish. Sourced entirely from Kalasi’s Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, this wine is a delightful, a versatile and engaging expression of its unique terroir.

2023

Kerrville Hills Winery

Alta Loma Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

Under the guidance of John Rivenburgh at Bending Branch, Picpoul Blanc was first planted in Texas in the High Plains around 2009 at the then-named Bending Branch Estate Vineyard. Selected for its excellent acid retention, the planting drew inspiration from Tablas Creek in Paso Robles. This particular wine comes from the roughly 15-acre Alta Loma Vineyard in the Texas High Plains (previously known as Timmons Estate Vineyard until its recent renaming). After harvest, the grapes are pressed in the vineyard, then transported to the winery and fermented on the skins without cold settling. Known for its natural acidity, the variety requires no acid adjustments and is bottled approximately six months after fermentation. This Picpoul Blanc is super aromatic, offering honeyed and nutty notes, melon-rich fruit, and pretty white floral aromas interwoven throughout. The palate is richly textured with good depth, balanced by a pleasant grip and a long, salty mineral finish.

2023

Knapp Winery

Baco Noir

100% estate-grown fruit, aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (10% new), with 15% Saperavi blended in to enhance depth and complexity, this is a red-fruit driven wine, layered with earthy undertones and spice-laced notes of cedarwood and forest underbrush. Hints of freshly crushed walnut add intrigue, while cranberry-like acidity brings juicy lift and brightness to the finish.

2023

Knapp Winery

Dry Vidal Blanc

Made from 100% estate-grown fruit, this white wine was direct-pressed and cold-fermented in stainless steel over 20 days, then aged on heavy lees for 6 months. Crisp and mineral-driven, it’s light to medium-bodied with high-toned notes of jalapeño and lemongrass, a punch of citrus zest, lime blossom, and a savory finish of pink Himalayan sea salt. Emerging wild herb nuances—fennel, sea grass—lend added complexity and coastal charm.

2023

Kriselle Cellars

Albariño

What an enticing and satisfying white this is—from the first whiff of creamy, luscious stone and tropical fruit layered with wildflowers to the vibrant palate, it delivers richness balanced by a scintillating spine of acidity that keeps all that lush fruit buoyant and energized.

2023

Lakewood Vineyards

Bubbly Candeo

Sourced from Lakewood Farm (certified sustainable) and three other long-time growers on the west side of Seneca Lake, this sparkling wine is produced exclusively from free-run juice. Carbonated and bottled on site, it’s also available in 187ml bottles and kegs for wholesale. It offers impressive complexity for the price, with notes of citrus peel, white flowers, and ripe apricot layered over a subtle French pastry character.

2023

Lakewood Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

Fruit was sourced from Glenora Farms on the west side of Seneca Lake and Don Peek’s vineyard on the west side of Keuka Lake. Fermented dry on the skins in small bins with 3–4 hand punchdowns daily, the wine was then pressed and transferred to 60-gallon barrels—predominantly French oak—where it remained until bottling in August 2024. Bright notes of cherry and cranberry leap from the glass, accented by espresso bean and a perfumed core of red fruit dusted with rose powder. Fine-grained, structured tannins provide a firm foundation for the juicy, spicy fruit to build toward a lengthy, saline-scented, and earth-toned finish.

2023

Lakewood Vineyards

Vignoles

This is a super bright, floral, and expressive wine, bursting with wildflower honey, jasmine, and candied kiwi fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with a lovely interplay of acid tension and subtle sweetness. Never cloying or overdone, it finishes with a gorgeous honeyed richness wrapped around white peaches and golden cherries. The perfect wine to pair with a cheese plate—think salted cheeses with a dollop of honey. Serve nicely chilled, but not too cold, so you don’t mute the vibrant florality. 65% estate fruit (certified sustainable) and 35% from Lahoma Vineyard, fermented in stainless steel.

2023

Landmark Vineyards and Marchelle

Lot #31. 'A Lorenzo Legacy' Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

Poured by Greg Stach and Greg La Follette themselves at the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction, this one-off Chardonnay is pure Sonoma history in the making. Bright and zesty, it shows citrus, brown spice, honeyed lemon and fresh ginger, with a medium-bodied frame, lovely mid-palate density and a long, slate-driven mineral finish. A singular, never-to-be-repeated collaboration that captures the soul of Lorenzo Vineyard with clarity, energy and depth.

2023

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Albarino

Fermented in stainless steel and bottled just a few months later, this vibrant white wine is crafted by winemaker Brent Amos, with assistant winemaker Aaron Andrews (who began his journey as a busboy and worked his way up through the cellar). Bright and laser-focused, it shows crisp citrus character with notes of orange oil, sea spray minerality, and white floral aromatics woven throughout.

2023

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Moonlight Reserve Verdelho (Black Label)

This is the Reserve bottling from the second pick of Verdelho grapes in 2023, crafted decisively in a Chardonnay style. Fermented in 100% new French oak with full malolactic conversion, it was aged for just a few months in barrel prior to bottling. Texturally, it’s broader and rounder than the Estate Reserve Verdelho—which is more bracing—yet this version remains vibrant and dynamic. Orchard fruit mingles with umami-rich notes of Parmesan rind and expressive baking spices. While richer, it’s by no means flabby; bright, focused acid tension keeps the wine fresh and balanced.

2023

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Moonlight Verdelho (White Label)

This second pick Verdelho was aged entirely in stainless steel and bottled just a few months later. Stylistically in line with the first-pick White Label, this bottling offers a touch more generosity on the palate. The mouthfeel is plumper and more supple, with silky orchard fruit layered with nuances of almonds and dried florals. A slightly rounder, more textural expression—while still retaining freshness and focus.

2023

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Reserve Verdelho (Black Label)

Assistant winemaker Aaron Andrews explains that in 2023, they approached Verdelho with a series of staggered picks and multiple fermentations using different yeasts. From just one block, they might run up to eight separate fermentations—later blending them to bottle. But in 2023, winemaker Brent Amos says each lot stood out so distinctly that they decided to bottle four different Verdelhos—a rare move for the portfolio. This bottling represents the Reserve expression of the first pick from the estate. Fermented in neutral barrels with no malolactic fermentation, it opens with notes of quince and white peach, alongside wild herb aromatics. On the palate, crisp, crunchy acid tension embraces a succulent, weighty mid-palate with silky textures. The wine shows excellent length and precision, with striking tension throughout.

2023

Las Positas Vineyards

Estate Verdelho (White Label)

A wine “Best in Show White” winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, this Verdelho is sourced from the first pick, fermented in stainless steel, and aged just a few months before bottling. Bright and laser-focused, it delivers citrus and orchard fruit layered with white flowers, and warmer undertones of straw and prairie grass. On the palate, it’s bracing and tightly wound, with nervy, electric acidity and a chalky mineral finish.

2023

Lavender Oak Vineyard & Winery

Estate Rosé

This estate-grown rosé, made from Merlot, is a distinctive and textural wine with a creamy mid-palate and savory undertones of rose stem and cherry fruit. Smoky minerality threads through a core of crunchy, juicy white plums, accented by a lift of white pepper spice on the lengthy finish. A serious rosé, well-suited to pairing with heartier summer dishes.

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Vintage

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Rating

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2023

Producer

Name

A blend of 58% Sémillon and 42% Sauvignon Blanc, this estate-grown white hails from Block 20 along the Arroyo Mocho, just east of Concannon Blvd and South Livermore Ave. The site’s well-drained, gravelly silt loam—formed from ancient river sediments—provide good conditions for stressing these Bordeaux variety vines. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, the wine offers an appealing nose of melon, citrus peel, just-ripe tropical fruit, and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate shows lovely breadth and balance. A real crowd-pleaser. -JR

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Block 16 of the Concannon estate, this Chardonnay was crafted under the direction of winemaker Brett Fikse—who officially stepped into the role in 2023 after more than a decade working in the cellar and lab since 2012. Fermentations were split between barrel and stainless steel: the barrel lots underwent malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging for about 3 months, while the stainless steel lots did not. The components were blended after 9 months. The result is a vibrant, well-balanced Chardonnay with bright citrus fruit and rich, toasty caramel aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers silky baked apple and pear flavors, accented by a hint of candied ginger on the long, refreshing finish.

2023

Producer

Name

This is a bright, spicy, and aromatic bottling of Sauvignon Blanc, with complex and inviting notes of white flowers and crushed almonds. Crunchy acid tension and a chalky minerality carry through the palate into a lengthy finish.

2023

Producer

Name

The 2023 Cabernet Franc is sourced from vineyards on both the east and west sides of Seneca Lake. Each lot was vinified separately in one-ton bins, with 20% saignée prior to fermentation, 10% whole cluster inclusion, and native yeast fermentations. Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak, this red was bottled unfined and unfiltered. True to the region’s style, a savory through line connects the crunchy red berry fruit from nose to finish. Cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry notes mingle with cedarwood spice, while soaring tannins frame the medium-bodied palate. The finish carries rose stem and earthy nuances. One of the cleanest and most structured Cabernet Francs I tasted from the vintage.

2023

Producer

Name

Damiani’s 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve takes everything great about their standard Cabernet Franc and elevates it—more polish, more juiciness, and a silkier expression across the palate. Sourced from a mix of three estate sites and two grower vineyards on both the east and west sides of Seneca Lake, the fruit was fermented in 1-ton bins with 20% saignée and 15% whole cluster inclusion, all with native yeast. Aged 16 months in neutral French oak, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright red berry fruit and fine brown baking spices lead the aromatic charge, while cherry-skin tannins glide across the palate with a juicy, plump texture. The finish lingers with blood orange zest, rose oil, coriander seed, and finely etched cedar spice.

2023

Producer

Name

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins, this 100% Wädenswil 2A clone Pinot Noir was aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak. It’s an expressive and bright Pinot with vibrant blood orange acidity, fragrant cherry and rose petal nuances, and layers of crushed wild herbs. Dusty cocoa powder tannins frame the juicy, long, and spicy finish. Winemaker Chris Jiron believes this late-ripening clone is ideal for the region.

2023

Producer

Name

Super zesty, with sea spray–infused wild herb minerality and bright straw aromatics. Medium-bodied, it delivers beautiful purity of orchard fruit on a complex mid-palate, with lemony acid tension and crushed almonds on the finish. Bright, energetic, and focused—a tremendous value at this price.

2023

Producer

Name

Dijon and Wente clones fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels for six months. Bright and citrusy, with crunchy acidity and appealing notes of apple and pear. The finish is long, clean, and laced with baking spice—very lovely and beautifully balanced.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Crater View Vineyard, just across the street from DANCIN, this Syrah was native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 17 months in 40% new French oak. It’s a beautifully multidimensional wine, showcasing pure blackberry and blue fruit nuances, candied violets, and white pepper. Medium-bodied on the palate with building tannins, exceptional length, and velvet-textured structure, it’s framed by Indian spices and layered with floral intensity on the long, energetic finish. An excellent wine.

2023

Producer

Name

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, this 100% Pommard clone Pinot Noir is spicy and expressive, with cocoa nib nuances and dusty cherry notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers juicy cherry and blackberry fruit, pomegranate seeds, and a touch of grapefruit zest. Rose petal florals and a hint of honeysuckle linger on the long finish. The wine has excellent grip and tension, offering both structure and elegance.

2023

Producer

Name

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, this Dijon 777 Pinot Noir offers cherry and strawberry fruit layered with fragrant Indian spices and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with a long, expressive finish, it’s both aromatic and finely structured.

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from the Oregon State Extension Center in Jacksonville, OR, this Pinot Noir is made from fruit grown to support research efforts. It’s a more rustic expression, offering notes of black tea, black truffle, and candied cherry, with a savory wild herb finish.

2023

Producer

Name

Here’s a clonal soup for the true wine geeks: this Pinot Noir blend brings together Wadenswil 2A, Dijon clones 115, 667, 828, 777, 114, and Pommard, all aged in 30% new French oak. It’s bright and spicy, with red cherry fruit, bold tannins, and notes of underbrush and pine forest. The tannins build through the long finish, gradually softening as blood orange acidity emerges and mingles with elegant cedarwood character and deeper layers of dark cherry fruit.

2023

Producer

Name

This Dijon 777 Pinot Noir was whole cluster fermented and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak. Bold, rich, and spicy—yet light on its feet—it delivers black cherry, clove, blood orange, and grapefruit zest. The tannins are ripe and grippy, and the finish reveals crushed stone and wet slate minerality. A fantastically structured Pinot Noir with impressive grip and tension—give it another year or two in bottle and enjoy over the next decade.

2023

Producer

Name

The DeMayo Vineyard is a small, 4-acre Chardonnay site in the Crane Ridge area of the Livermore Valley, located just south of Tesla Road, ranging from about 1,000 feet down to 600 feet in elevation. Grapes are whole cluster picked, then fermented and aged for 8 months in 60% new French oak. This Chardonnay opens with a rich, toasty, and buttery nose, layered with orchard fruit, poached pears, vanilla accents, and baking spice. The palate is bright and energetic, with a lengthy finish that underscores the wine’s dynamic character.

2023

Producer

Name

This 100% stainless steel–fermented and –aged Cabernet Franc comes from the Lemmons Vineyard and represents a fresh, innovative approach. “We wanted to show that you can make a Cabernet Franc that comes to market within a year,” says Amanda Kent, co-owner of the winery. “That’s important—to convince growers and producers to plant more and make more Cabernet Franc.” Winemaker Julian Halasz bottled the wine in April following harvest, employing micro-oxygenation and the use of oak staves to enhance texture and balance. The result is a remarkably polished wine with grippy tannins, pure dark berry fruit, blue fruit accents, floral notes, and a hint of bay laurel. Designed for early release and wide accessibility—including supermarket shelves—this is a compelling example of how Livermore producers can offer youthful, cash-flow-friendly Cabernet Franc without sacrificing quality, while still reserving their estate bottlings for long-term aging.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2023

2023 Johnson Estate Winery Freelings Creek Reserve Sparkling Traminette

Sparkling Wine

$

2023

2023 JONATA El Alma de JONATA

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 JONATA El Desafio de JONATA

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 JONATA Fenix

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 JONATA Flor

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 JONATA La Sangre de JONATA

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 JONATA Tierra

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 JONATA Todos

Still Wine

$$

2023

2023 Kalasi Cellars Malvasia Bianca, Narra Vineyards

Still

$

2023

2023 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Sangiovese Rosé

Still

$

2023

2023 Kerrville Hills Winery Alta Loma Vineyard, Picpoul Blanc

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Knapp Winery Baco Noir

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Knapp Winery Dry Vidal Blanc

Still Wine

$

2023

2023 Kriselle Cellars Albariño

Still Wine

N/A

2023

2023 Lakewood Vineyards Bubbly Candeo

Sparkling Wine

$

2023

2023 Lakewood Vineyards Cabernet Franc

Still Wine

$

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