2023

Uplift Vineyard

Merlot

The 2023 Uplift Vineyard Merlot shows classic varietal character in its spiced plum fruit and gorgeously spicy aromatics. It truly surprises, however, with its tannic intensity and impressively bright acid grip. An exceedingly fresh and layered red. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.

Red

2023

Uplift Vineyard

Montepulciano

Pristine red fruit and elegant cedarwood spice character build on the medium-bodied palate, with impressive, fine, and stacked tannins that lay a solid foundation for this youthful Montepulciano red. I first tasted this wine as a barrel sample, and over a year, it’s put on some wonderful weight, and the fruit profile has grown with darkness, power, and depth. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. This particular variety does really well here in Texas because it can take heat, it can take late spring freezes, it can take rain and drought, and still comes out on top. The Uplift site is a gorgeous vineyard, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. Large oak fermented. Aged 16 Months in 20% new French oak

Red

2023

Uplift Vineyard

Sangiovese

This Sangiovese from Uplift Vineyard is a powerhouse of freshness, elegance, and compact red fruit, with enthralling sweet spices of clove, cinnamon, and coriander. Medium-bodied on the palate, it displays firm tannins and balanced tension, providing structure and finesse. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. Aged 16 months in 15% New French/Hungarian Oak.

Red

2023

Uplift Vineyard

Vigneron Blend

(Barrel Sample) The Vigneron Blend is a bright, spicy, and tension-filled red, offering pure currant and cherry fruits, tobacco, and white pepper spices. Medium-bodied, it builds richness on the palate with assertive, very fine, and balanced tannins that provide structure and depth. 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

2023

Uplift Vineyard

Witlock

The Whitlock is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Malbec, and 20% Petite Sirah. Aged 16 months in 20% new French oak. This is an elegant wine, with a satiny and velvety mouthfeel and nice depth of dark fruit flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, the wine features polished, plump tannins that glide smoothly to a long, satisfying finish. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.

Red

2023

Uplift Vineyards

Lou Adah

This blend of 68% Marsanne and 32% Roussanne, crafted by Claire Richardson with consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, is a bright, fresh, and expressive white sourced from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country. The wine is layered with fragrant baking spice notes, complementing its medium-bodied palate and balanced tension. Its flavors of Meyer lemon, apricot, white fig, and salted Marcona almonds add nuance and complexity.

White

2023

Usonia

Cabernet Franc

Meaty and savoury, this wine pulses with black olive and black liquorice notes, layered with the umami depth of cured Bresaola and lifted by dried rose petals on both the nose and palate. There’s a zing of blood orange acidity and a zesty, grippy tension that propels the fruit-driven finish. The blend is 75% fruit from Serenity Vineyards (under 10-day carbonic maceration) on the west side of Seneca Lake, farmed by the Hermann J. Wiemer team. The remaining 25% hails from New Suns, the home vineyard on the west side of Cayuga Lake, and was fully destemmed with a two-week maceration. Aged in neutral barrels for 10 months before blending and bottling in August 2024. Hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented.

Red

2023

Wanderlust Vineyard

Harvest Moon Roussanne-Viognier

Quite an enticing white wine, with wonderfully savory notes that build alongside steely minerality, lanolin, flint, and beeswax. Subtle citrus peel and orchard fruit nuances weave in, coming together harmoniously on a medium-bodied palate framed by a fantastic thread of saline-acid tension. A creamy, middleweight core adds allure, balanced beautifully by that refreshing acidity.

White

2023

Wedding Oak

Castanet Rose

Wedding Oak Winery’s Texas High Plains Castanet Rosé offers a fantastic medium-bodied palate with a velvety-silky texture. A subtle hint of sweetness is balanced by a firm spine of grippy acidity, creating a harmonious and inviting profile. Layered with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, white peach, and candied apricot, it also features delicate notes of pressed flowers and a hint of bergamot. Elegant and complex, this rosé is a standout.

Rosé

2023

Wedding Oak

Grenache Rose

The Wedding Oak Winery Rosé of Grenache, sourced from Mirasol Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, offers delicate hints of rose water, blood orange, and a subtle kiss of dried fennel. Light-bodied on the palate, it showcases a refreshing salty minerality balanced by soaring acid tension. Focused, linear, and vibrant, this rosé is wonderfully food-friendly.

Rosé

2023

Wedding Oak

Riesling

The Wedding Oak Winery Riesling, sourced from Cerro Santo Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, greets you with a sharp, high-toned nose that belies the wine’s inviting palate. Once tasted, it reveals a creamy texture with delightful notes of honeydew melon, honeycomb, fragrant wildflowers, and lemon oil. A subtle richness adds depth, making it a pleasure to drink, while the slightly off-dry finish rounds out its balanced and approachable profile. A charming Riesling that rewards those who delve past its initial sharpness.

White

2023

Wedding Oak

Roussanne

The Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne, sourced from the family-owned Hye Top Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country, delivers a focused medium-bodied expression of this classic French variety, which thrives in the High Plains. It opens with enticing aromas of lemon oil, dried apricot, and a medley of sweet baking spices, accented by a hint of honey and pressed white flowers. The palate is long and layered, with a salty minerality and a refreshing touch of lemon zest on the finish.

White

2023

Weis Vineyards

Estate Riesling

Winemaker Hans Peter Weis sources most of his reds from vineyards along the middle to northern stretches of Seneca Lake. He prefers a cold soak to delay fermentation, typically inoculating after three to four days. In cooler years, picking happens as late as possible—just before the leaves fall. After 10 days of fermentation in open-top fermenters or stainless steel, the wine is aged for 24 months in barrel, including up to 15% new French oak. The result is an elegant wine with red berry fruit, fine brown spices, and a hint of espresso, with conifer notes emerging as it opens. Tannins show an apple-skin texture—ripe yet firm—leading to a finish of red cherry and cherry pit. The 2024 vintage, also tasted, is deeper and more expressive, with bold flavors, grippy tannins, and a strong sense of energy and tension.

White

2023

Weis Vineyards

Semi Dry Riesling

This semi-dry Riesling, with fermentations halted in select tanks, opens with a bright, vinous nose featuring apple, pear, and a touch of candied minerality. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers hints of lemon-lime citrus and green apple candy—reminiscent of childhood sweets—leading to a vivid, almost “purple-acid” finish. Balanced acidity frames a gentle kiss of sweetness.

White

2023

Weis Vineyards

Vidal Blanc Iced Wine

A naturally high-acid variety, this wine tastes like a spoonful of creamy pear purée—lush and textural, yet lifted by vibrant acidity and palate tension.

White

2023

Weis Vineyards

Winzer Select Riesling A

Made from 67% botrytized grapes, this wine shows a lovely honeyed richness with nuances of apricot and poached pear. The palate is beautifully silky, with great body and tension, leading to a long, floral finish layered with tangerine peel, kumquat, and honeysuckle.

White

2023

Wente Family Vineyards

Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc

Wente’s 2023 Limited Release 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Mel Vineyard, and is aged sur lie for six months in 10% new and 90% neutral French oak barrels. Just 21 barrels were produced of this electric and gratifying Sauvignon Blanc. Bright, clean citrus and orchard fruit leap from the glass, layered with subtle baking spice notes from extended lees contact. That character builds with spicy intensity on the medium-bodied palate, and the finish shows excellent focus and acid stamina—enough to carry a meal from aperitif hour through to dessert.

White

2023

Wente Family Vineyards

Small Lot Limited Release Chardonnay

Fermented in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and French oak barrels, this wine was aged sur lie for six months with regular stirring. The remaining portion was aged in neutral oak and stainless steel to preserve freshness. Sourced from Montpellier cuttings, it opens with inviting aromas of vanilla, yellow apple, biscuit, lemon drop, and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate offers a pleasing richness, balanced by a bright line of acidity. The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of wood spice. -JR

White

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Hye Estate Vineyard, Tannat

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

Red

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Vintage Press VIneayrd Syrah

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

Red

2023

William Chris Vineyards

Vintage Press Vineyard, Tannat

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

Red

2023

Wine for the People

Bounty Harvest Vineyard, Grenache

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

Red

2023

Wine for the People

Fire Oak Red Blend

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

Red

2023

Wines by Alisa Jacobson

Distinctive by AJ Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cabernet from Alisa Jacobson, known around the Santa Ynez Valley as ‘AJ’, is sourced from her top sites in Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley, with a splash of Santa Ynez Valley Merlot. Medium to full bodied and well balanced, it offers juicy, ripe red and black fruit layered with sweet baking spices. Plush tannins frame the palate, leading to a pleasing finish accented by sagebrush and crushed cocoa nibs. Aged primarily in neutral French oak (10% new).

Red

2023

Wood Family Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

The Wood Family Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in 28% new French oak barrels. A touch more refined than the 2022 vintage, it shows focused purity of black currant and black cherry fruit, with fine tobacco nuances and elegant cedarwood accents, complemented by rose petal aromatics. The tannins are soft, velvety, and supple, framing a juicy core with seductive black currant jelly, cigar box notes, white pepper, a hint of cardamom, and a touch of crushed clove. A truly marvelous Cabernet Franc from the Livermore Valley.

Red

2023

Wood Family Vineyards

Malbec

Sourced entirely from the winery’s One Oak estate property, which surrounds the Wood family home, this wine is crafted from vines planted in 2019. Fermentations take place in open-top bins, followed by 18 months of aging in 25% new French oak. The wine opens with alluring aromatics of bright red berry fruit, savory mineral notes, and dusty wild herbs. On the palate, juicy berry fruit is framed by pronounced, broad-shouldered tannins with a rounded, velvety texture that’s beautifully integrated. Layers of baking spice and rose petal florals add further dimension. A compelling and structured young wine—definitely one to watch.

Red

2023

Wood Family Vineyards

Para Mas Amigas Chardonnay

This 100% Chardonnay was barrel fermented in 32% new French oak and aged for 9 months with biweekly lees stirring. Bold and expressive, it offers layers of pineapple, lemon oil, tangerine zest, and honeycomb. Full-bodied on the palate, with mouthwatering grip and tension, it builds to a long, spice-laced finish accented by baking spice and vibrant acidity.

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

$

2023

Producer

Name

Everything Zinfandel ever promised is right here in this glass from Long Walk Vineyard—bursting at the seams with strawberry and raspberry fruit drizzled in vanilla cream. Bright and expressive, with a sturdy framework of tannins and plenty of baking spice, clove, and cardamom to carry the day.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

A perfect snapshot of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, this bottling from Longoria opens with a Meyer lemon–infused bouquet that sets the tone for what follows. On the medium- to full-bodied palate, fragrant notes of candied ginger and quince unfold with round, rich texture and silky phenolics. The finish is long and mouthwatering, laced with salted candied lemon peel and a gentle dusting of fragrant baking spices. Just dazzling.

White

2023

Producer

Name

From La Encantada Vineyard, this Pinot Noir begins with a gentle, understated bouquet—delicate red berry fruit and subtle spice—but quickly unfolds on the palate with remarkable transformation. What starts as restrained becomes expansive, revealing layers of dark, juicy cherry and plum fruit supported by burly, structured tannins with velvety edges. A firm spine of tangy acidity carries the richness and depth of fruit through a long, spice-laced finish.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This Picpoul Blanc from Lost Draw, crafted by Brad Buckelew with consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, is a clean, bright, and fresh expression of the variety. It opens with lively citrus and delicate white tea notes, complemented by a subtle touch of honeyed almonds. The medium-bodied palate offers a refined texture that builds into a salty mineral richness on the finish, making it an exceptionally food-friendly white.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this medium- to full-bodied white is bursting with character. Expressive notes of hibiscus, honeysuckle, poached pear, and yellow peach mingle with crushed salted almonds. A vein of crunchy, zesty acidity adds tension and brightness, while subtle layers of orange oil carry through to the long, satisfyingly delicious finish. It absolutely beckons for another sip.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Wente clone Chardonnay, this small-production wine (just 125 cases) was fermented in stainless steel and aged for six months in neutral oak. Exotic aromas of mango, papaya, and white peach mingle with lemon zest and zesty ginger. Medium-bodied and supple, the palate is energized by racy acidity, allowing the vivid tropical and stone fruits to gain depth and complexity. The finish is long and textural, framed by chalky minerality and a flourish of pressed white flowers.

White

2023

Producer

Name

The fruit for this wine was destemmed and left on skins for six hours before a gentle press and long, cool fermentation finished in bottle. Bottled undisgorged on December 11, 2023. Wildly juicy and fruit-forward, this pét-nat bursts with red berries and grapefruit zest. The mousse is crisp and zippy, giving way to a bone-dry finish that delivers mouthwatering freshness and all the bright, vibrant fruit you could hope for.

White

2023

Producer

Name

No malolactic fermentation here—this wine is bright, juicy, and citrus-driven, with creamy apricot unfolding on the mid-palate. Subtle notes of Marcona almond add nuance to the steely finish.

White

2023

Producer

Name

100% destemmed with a 14-day maceration and full malolactic conversion, this Cabernet Franc was aged for seven months in concrete eggs. Easily one of the most refined and polished examples I’ve tasted from New York State, it’s gorgeously perfumed with ripe cherry, black raspberry, and floral top notes. Chalky mineral tones add dimension, while the full-bodied palate dazzles with tension, clarity, and length. Clean, expressive, and varietally true, it balances brightness and elegance in riveting fashion. The lees contact from the egg aging brings subtle texture without weight—this is a stunner.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from a property acquired in 2009, this Cabernet Franc was fermented with 25% whole clusters using native yeasts, with a 21-day maceration. Twenty percent of the lot underwent carbonic maceration in a separate tank before pressing and blending. Aged six months in stainless steel, the wine is spicy, grippy, and tightly wound, with a perfumed mid-palate of red cherry and rose petal. It finishes with savoury wild herb notes and impressive length.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Fermented with 100% whole clusters, this Estrella Clone Syrah from Robert Rae Ranch—just 9.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean—delivers all the hallmark aromatics you’d expect: violet, black cherry, and black olive. But what sets it apart is its electrifying structure. Medium-bodied, zippy, and perfumed, it showcases soaring tannins and lip-smacking acidity that gives the wine serious cut and tension. Bright, floral, and bracingly fresh, this Syrah begs to be served with a chill and paired with hearty fare—think rich pastas or wood-fired pizza.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

From the Spear Vineyard, this Chardonnay is layered with signature traits of the site: rich honeycomb, overripe lemon, and crushed Marcona almonds. On the palate, it’s textured and expressive, with subtle apple skin tannins framing flavors of yellow apple, ripe pear, and warm baking spices. The wine carries through to a lengthy, beautifully bright finish.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Loaded with just-ripe red berry fruit, this zesty, zippy rosé delivers a lingering impression of candied watermelon and ultra-ripe strawberry, finishing bone dry with a refreshing wet river stone minerality. Sourced from several vineyards in the Lake Erie AVA, select blocks of Chambourcin were monitored throughout the growing season specificaly for this rosé production (which utilized cool stainless steel fermentation with a co-inoculation of multiple yeast strains).

Rosé

2023

Producer

Name

100% barrel-fermented, with roughly 30% new French oak and some Hungarian oak in the mix. This wine is super bright, with layers of lemon oil, toasty brioche, buttered croissant, and candied ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers a fantastic mouthfeel—rich, weighty citrus fruit balanced by bright, intense acid tension. Winemaker Mark Clarin notes that he inhibits some of the malolactic fermentation, allowing only about 70% to complete, which helps preserve freshness and drive. Fragrant baking spice and vanilla notes weave through the palate, and the finish lingers with terrific mineral intensity. A dynamic, beautifully structured white with serious depth and length.

White

2023

Producer

Name

The 2023 Trebbiano from Meierstone Vineyards in the Texas High Plains showcases captivating spice aromatics, with hints of coriander and brown sugar adding intrigue. Lean and sharply focused on the palate, it reveals subtle notes of prairie grass that enhance its complexity. This wine is intensely savory, bursting with energy, and an absolute joy to drink. Its bright, acid-driven profile delivers a “ripping” freshness that’s as engaging as it is satisfying. For those seeking a lively and distinctive white.

White

2023

Producer

Name

The flagship estate Chardonnay is sourced from all four of Melville’s estate ranches. The fruit is harvested overnight and pressed before sunrise into tank, followed by a 24-hour cold settle before being racked to barrel. Fermentation occurs entirely in neutral oak, with the wine aged for eight months prior to bottling. This is a flinty, reductive Chardonnay on the nose, with a candied minerality that lifts its fragrant baking spice character. Layers of Meyer lemon, pear, white peach, and a hint of agave nectar unfold on the palate, all framed by scintillating acidity. The finish is long and complex, marked by crushed Marcona almonds, lime blossoms, and lime zest.

Cristaldi Scores

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Uplift Vineyard

Merlot

Uplift Vineyard

Montepulciano

Uplift Vineyard

Sangiovese

Uplift Vineyard

Vigneron Blend

Uplift Vineyard

Witlock

Uplift Vineyards

Lou Adah

Usonia

Cabernet Franc

Wanderlust Vineyard

Harvest Moon Roussanne-Viognier

Wedding Oak

Castanet Rose

Wedding Oak

Grenache Rose

Wedding Oak

Riesling

Wedding Oak

Roussanne

Weis Vineyards

Estate Riesling

Weis Vineyards

Semi Dry Riesling

Weis Vineyards

Vidal Blanc Iced Wine

Weis Vineyards

Winzer Select Riesling A

Wente Family Vineyards

Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc

Wente Family Vineyards

Small Lot Limited Release Chardonnay

William Chris Vineyards

Hye Estate Vineyard, Tannat

William Chris Vineyards

Vintage Press VIneayrd Syrah

William Chris Vineyards

Vintage Press Vineyard, Tannat

Wine for the People

Bounty Harvest Vineyard, Grenache

Wine for the People

Fire Oak Red Blend

Wines by Alisa Jacobson

Distinctive by AJ Cabernet Sauvignon

Wood Family Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

Wood Family Vineyards

Malbec

Wood Family Vineyards

Para Mas Amigas Chardonnay

Uplift Vineyard

Estate Red III

Vintage