Sign In/Subscribe

Cristaldi Scores

Producer
Producer
More
Country
Country
More
Vintage
Vintage
More

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2021

Sapien Wines

Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir was aged on the lees for 17 months in 50% new French oak. Classic Bing cherry and spiced plum leap from the glass, joined by toasty cherry wood and dark chocolate, accented with subtle, crunchy currant fruit. Warm baking spices abound in this gracefully textured wine, which glides across every corner of the palate all too easily.

2021

Sapien Wines

Sangiovese

This is a thoroughly inviting Sangiovese—not trying to mimic Tuscany, but proudly rooted in the wild, sun-soaked landscapes of Santa Barbara County. Ripe cherry and blackberry fruit lead the way, wrapped in notes of dried tobacco leaf. The palate is defined by pixelated tannins that gently grip and scatter across the tongue, ultimately resolving into a juicy, tangy acid tension,

2021

Schultz Glory Oaks

Majestic Tempranillo

Fragrant wild herbs and high-toned currant fruit mingle with brandied Morello cherries and a heady dose of candied rose petals. Medium-bodied, with fine-textured tannins and subtle nuances of sagebrush and bay laurel. Drink now with herb-crusted pork loin.

2021

Schultz Glory Oaks

Rock Tempranillo

Planted on alluvial cobblestones and weathered granite in the shadows of the Siskiyou Mountains, these vines lie in the Applegate Valley—part of Southern Oregon’s larger Rogue Valley AVA. Sourced from the Glory Oaks Vineyard, this wine is native yeast fermented and medium-bodied, with a satiny texture. High-toned red berry fruit, vanilla, and cedarwood aromatics are balanced by savory notes of black olive, tobacco, and saddle leather on the palate.

2021

Serres Ranch

Buchanan Estate Grown Merlot

Named after Taylor Serres’ younger brother, Buchanan, this is a Merlot-heavy blend and always has been. Their Merlot has historically been sold to producers like St. Francis and Gundlach Bundschu. It’s a bold, robust expression with super-rich dark berry fruit, plenty of intensity and power, and generous toasty oak spice. This is no wimpy Merlot. Ripe mulberry notes unfold on the palate alongside warm brown and Asian spices, leading to a lengthy, full-bodied finish.

2021

Serres Ranch

Marshall Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon

Named after Proprietor Taylor Serres’ older brother, Marshall, this blend is composed of 76.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 3.5% Petit Verdot. All the fruit comes from a seven-acre block replanted in 2016 to multiple clones and rootstocks; each small lot is fermented separately before final blending. It’s a fantastic, full-bodied and robust Cabernet-based red, opening with rich cigar-box and dark-chocolate notes, toasty oak spice, and gobs of inky dark fruit. The palate is powerful, with muscular tannins and a righteous, indulgent, full-bodied finish. The most potent and forceful wine in the lineup, yet it still carries a polished edge to all that unctuous richness.

2021

Serres Ranch

Watriss Estate Grown Bordeaux

The Watriss is a Bordeaux-style blend named for the Watriss family, who owned the Serres Ranch in the 1800s. The composition shifts vintage to vintage; in 2021, it’s 30.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Malbec, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 21% Petit Verdot. This is a bold, full-bodied red with a rich nose of dark berry fruit and toasty oak that leans into cigar-box spice. The palate shows firm, building tannins and a cool, polished character to the dark berry fruit, layered with loamy earth that carries through the long finish.

2021

Siboney Cellars

Challis Vineyard, Malbec

Malbec from the Challis Vineyard, planted on brown-dirt soils and farmed and owned by Mike West. Clones 9 and 10 were fermented and aged separately before being blended together. 500 cases produced. 100% Malbec. Dark berry fruit leads, supported by cocoa powder and dried wild herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet supple tannins and a dry, focused finish.

2021

Signor

Sangiovese

Fermented in open-top vessels and aged for 18–24 months in mostly neutral French oak, this wine is light and red-fruited, showing high-toned, dusty minerality with firm, taut tannins that build grip and dryness on the finish. It’s a lean, structured expression that will likely gain volume and depth in future vintages with winemaker Michael Barton now at the helm—definitely one to watch for subsequent vintages.

2021

Slate Theory Winery

Estate Mourvèdre

Aged for 26 months in 55% new French oak. Bold and brooding, with muscular tannins and fantastic dark berry fruit layered with leather, wild herb nuances, and rose petal notes. Plush, velvet-textured tannins are laced with crunchy acidity, leading to a lengthy finish accented by hints of incense and clove.

2021

Slate Theory Winery

Estate Tempranillo

Aged in 40% new French oak and 60% neutral oak, this is a bold, muscular, and expressive Tempranillo from the estate. It offers dark berry fruit layered with red-fruit nuances, leather, tobacco, cocoa powder, and dried sage. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it features fine-grained, maple-laced tannins and a bold, chocolaty finish accented by wet slate minerality. Nice freshness and verve.

2021

Slate Theory Winery

The Insomniac Red Wine

Aged for 26 months in 43% new French oak. The Petite Sirah is sourced from Lahey Vineyards, the Cabernet Sauvignon from Family Vineyard in the High Plains, and the Souzao from the High Plains as well. This is a fragrant, medium- to full-bodied red, with lifted red-toned fruit, plums, high-toned brown spices, pressed wildflowers, and a crushed stone mineral character. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with silky, leather-laced tannins, white pepper nuances, and loads of distinct garrigue. A lengthy finish and balanced, mouthwatering acidity complete the profile.

2021

Spicewood Vineyards

Tandem

The Spicewood Vineyards Red Wine Blend “Tandem” (a 50/50 blend of Carignan and Mourvèdre) is a fragrant wine that opens with delicate rose petal and violet notes, complemented by candied orange peel and red currant fruits. Medium-bodied, it features sappy tannins and layered flavors of agave nectar, toffee, and caramel, with subtle hints of dill.

2021

Spicewood Vineyards

Tempranillo

Sourced from Dutton Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this well-built, polished Tempranillo from Spicewood presents sweet red-toned fruit and subtle spice character. Medium-bodied on the palate, salty mineral notes add complexity, leading to a toasty cedarwood finish. Balanced and refined, this wine offers a harmonious blend of fruit, spice, and structure.

2021

Star Lane Vineyard

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Astral

This is a nicely structured wine that lands somewhere between Napa Valley and Bordeaux on the palate, with crunchy red-berry fruit, graphite minerality, and expressive dusty cedarwood. Fine-grained tannins linger, lifted by subtle notes of dark chocolate, ironstone, and a zesty spine of tingly acidity. It’s that vibrant acid tension that evokes Bordeaux, while the firm, integrated tannins nod to Napa—wrapped in the distinctive minerality and energy that define Happy Canyon.

2021

Steven Kent Winery

Lineage Red

Fewer than 125 cases produced, this meticulously crafted wine reflects an uncompromising pursuit of quality. Each barrel from each lot is tasted blind—multiple times—before being selected for inclusion in the final assemblage. The 2021 blend is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon (Home Ranch Vineyard), 12% Merlot (Zayante Vineyard), and 3% Cabernet Franc (Ghielmetti Vineyard), all aged for 22 months in 100% French oak, 50% of which was new. The Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7 component was fermented in stainless steel, while the Merlot and Cabernet Franc underwent fermentation in 1.7-ton open-top fermenters—each vinified separately to preserve character and precision. Long considered one of Livermore Valley’s benchmark reds, Lineage continues to deliver on its reputation. The 2021 vintage offers a complex and layered nose of dried herbs, graphite, dark minerality, black licorice, and brooding black cherry and cassis. On the palate, deep, silky blackcurrant fruit is laced with cocoa and savory undertones, supported by a firm core of acidity and polished tannins. This is a wine of tension, balance, and elegance—with the structural integrity to age for decades. A powerful expression of place and a bold statement on what Livermore Valley is capable of at the highest level. -JR

2021

Sunstone Winery

Estate Bordeaux Blend Eros

Aged for 26 months in 100% new French oak, this blend of 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon shows remarkable balance and poise. The oak is seamlessly integrated, supporting generous layers of juicy red berry fruit, warm baking spices, and a dusting of cocoa powder and cinnamon, along with roasted espresso bean nuances.

2021

Sunstone Winery

Estate Bordeaux Blend Fred's Red

A delectable blend of 72% Cabernet Franc and 28% Merlot, this is a refined yet expressive wine, offering dark berry fruit layered with saddle leather, tobacco, and savory hints of liquorice and black olive. The medium-bodied palate is scented with woodsy wild herbs and framed by superfine tannins that lend a silky, polished mouthfeel. The finish is long, juicy, and persistent.

2021

Table Rock Vienyard

Estate Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is in its perfect drinking window, having evolved beyond bright red cherry fruit into more savory territory—think red currant, tobacco leaf, and black tea–like tannins. All of that builds on the medium-bodied palate, layered with crunchy currant fruit, espresso bean nuances, bay laurel, and sage, leading to a long, satisfying, smoky-savor finish. If you’re drawn to Pinot in its secondary and tertiary phase, this one’s for you. I highly recommend enjoying it over the course of a meal—ideally, a couple of bottles at a time—now through 2030.

2021

2021

Texas Heritage Vineyard

Estate Souzao

This 100% Souzao, a Portuguese variety known for its tiny berries and small clusters (especially in challenging vintages), was aged for 24 months in neutral American oak. Traditionally used in Port production on the Iberian Peninsula, Souzao shines here as a full-bodied, expressive dry wine. The profile is alluring, with black-fruited depth, rich woodsy and underbrush notes, savory hints of charcuterie, and pressed flowers. The palate is bold, featuring muscular, meaty tannins with firm grip and impressive mid-palate density, framed by a salty and chalky minerality that adds precision and length. Perfectly suited for hearty BBQ, smoked meats, or bacon-centric dishes, this wine is a powerhouse.

2021

Texas Wine Collective

GSM

This blend of 41% Syrah, 36% Mourvèdre, 23% Grenache from Texas Wine Collective is a ripe, energetic and layered GSM style red, with nice red-toned fruit character and a medium-bodied palate expression. Complementing the fruit profile are white pepper and pressed violet nuances. Muscular, firm, and broad-shouldred tannins frame the palate, while a firm spine of acidity keeps this wine bright and fresh. Its long finsh is marked by the subtlest hints of charcuterie.

2021

Texas Wine Collective

Mourvèdre

Texas Wine Collective’s Mourvèdre is a medium-bodied, solid red that offers elegant red berry fruit character, including red currants and dried strawberries, with subtle hints of clove and allspice. Incredibly accessible and straightforward, it boasts a fine-grained tannic intensity that is well-integrated. The wine finishes with a lengthy, mineral-rich finish, showcasing its depth and balance.

2021

Triple R Ranch

Axis

The 2021 Axis Reserve Tempranillo presents bold flavors of black olive, cherry pit, and tanned leather. Medium-bodied, it is framed by robust, assertive, and firm tannins along with crunchy acidity.

2021

Triple R Ranch

Mountain Lion

The Mountain Lion Reserve Meritage Red from Ranch Wines is as tame as a lion waiting in the shadows. It offers a nice, elegant red-fruited profile with ripe currant and cherry fruits, complemented by notes of tanned leather and white pepper. Burly tannins throughout its medium-bodied expression provide the framework forits mineral-scented finish.

2021

Uplift Vineyards

Badu

The Badu from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is a very savory and smoky wine, combining 57% Montepulciano, 33% Aglianico, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Sangiovese. It shows a hearty, meaty richness, with hints of espresso bean. Full-bodied, it features robust tannins and layers of red and black-toned fruit, including currant and spiced plums. Cool, wet slate minerality adds a refreshing edge, carrying through to the long finish.

2021

Vallepicciola

Chianti Classico Riserva

Sourced from hillside vines near the river Arbia, this is a decidedly tangy, earthy Riserva with lots of depth to its bright cherry and red plum fruitiness. Hints of dried orange peel, tobacco, and complexity. Very food-friendly. – J.R.

2021

Vignamaggio

Terre di Prenzano

Sourced from the Prenzano-Petriolo and Orto-Poggio Asciutto vineyards, this shows nice and vibrant cherry fruit and earthy undertones. The richness of the mouthfeel is a wonderful contrast to its Old School Chianti structure and texture. – J.R.

2021

Wanderlust Vineyard

Grenache

Wanderlust’s 2021 Grenache is a light- to medium-bodied red with a bright herbal pop, followed by red berry fruit and nutty spice on the palate. Velvety textures support a mineral-rich, slightly meaty finish.

2021

Weis Vineyards

Winzer Select Edel Süss Riesling

This is the 2021 Winzer Select Edel Süss Riesling from the Finger Lakes, made from grapes grown in limestone soils near Genga on the northern end of Seneca Lake. With 10% ABV and around 90 g/L of residual sugar, it’s gorgeously tense, balancing sweetness with precision. The mid-palate shows satiny richness with notes of candied apricot and pressed wildflowers, leading into an epically long, building finish.

1 2 3 4 … 6 7 8

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2021

Producer

Name

Originally planted in 2014 at Kalasi’s 140-acre Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, this 100% Malbec showcases the region’s potential. Typically ripening around Labor Day, the fruit delivers a wine aged for 24 months in neutral French oak. Bright red berry fruit forms the core of its profile, accented by striking red and purple floral notes. These flavors mingle harmoniously with toasty cedarwood, a hint of molasses, fruit leather, and sweet spices. The palate is structured by firm, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, sweetly spiced finish.

2021

Producer

Name

The “Raj Collection,” named after the family’s son, is a special label produced only in the best vintages. This vintage is a blend where Petite Verdot adds richness and depth to Merlot, which can be lighter in this region. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak, the wine is both structured and elegant. It features ample red and black currant character, with fig, blood orange, and high-toned notes of dried wild herbs, tobacco, leather, and a hint of white pepper. The palate is balanced by firm, taut, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. This is an excellent effort!

2021

Producer

Name

In 2015, Nikhila Narra planted UC Davis-certified Entav Tannat clones on her Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, complementing the Tablas Creek clones already grown there. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak, this wine stands out as one of the finest I tasted in Texas. Full-bodied and richly layered, it showcases a complex profile of red and black fruits, including currants and fig, intertwined with mocha spices and toasty cedarwood. These flavors build gracefully to a satisfying, harmonious, and balanced finish, with its exceptional depth and elegance.

2021

Producer

Name

White currants, white fig, white blossoms, and white pepper mark the aromas and flavors of this Northern Italian Sauvignon. The nose is perfumed and heady, and the palate shares in its heft and unctuous nature. – J.R.

2021

Producer

Name

From the Pepper Jack Vineyard, this Teroldego is full-bodied, deeply flavored, and unapologetically muscular. Inky dark fruit, black currant, saddle leather, and black olive pit dominate the nose and palate, underscored by savory notes of tobacco, leather, and olive tapenade. The tannins are powerful and structured, carrying the wine through a finish that lingers well over a minute. Talk about your ultimate barbecue wine.

2021

Producer

Name

Picked in the second week of September, the base wine from this site is somewhat ironically among the last to come in. Made using the traditional method, unfiltered, with high lees contact, and aged en tirage in barrel for two years. Winemaker Julien Howsepian believes a shorter tirage suits his California-grown fruit, as ripeness comes naturally from the warm sunshine, while foot-treading and extended lees contact contribute the richness he wants. The wine shows wonderful depth and a saline–acid tension, with wet-stone character, bright citrus and orchard fruit, and warm baking spices adding richness through the mid-palate. The finish is long, lifted, and thoroughly enticing.

2021

Producer

Name

My absolute favorite white from the Landmark lineup I tasted for this Sonoma Report—which spanned mostly 2021 and 2022 wines, with a few 2023s. Here, the sea-spray mineral pop of this site and AVA mingles beautifully with zesty citrus and ripe orchard fruit, all balanced on the palate by a creamy mid-centre so characteristic of the Sta. Rita Hills. It finishes with excellent length and tension. A very fine wine, effortlessly enjoyable on its own. Situated near the north-western edge of Santa Barbara County’s prestigious Sta. Rita Hills appellation, the sourced blocks provide small-clustered Dijon clones 76 and 96 for this Chardonnay. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, then aged for 14 months in French oak (30% new).

2021

Producer

Name

This ridge-top vineyard is fully exposed to the afternoon winds funneling in from the Pacific through the “gap,” a defining feature of the Petaluma Gap viticultural area. Whole-cluster-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine is aged for 14 months in French oak (33% new). One of the freshest whites I tasted from Landmark for my inaugural Sonoma Report on Cristaldi & Co., that brightness carries straight onto the palate. Lemon peel and lemon curd mingle with toasty oak spices, while candied ginger and poached, spiced pear drive the creamy mid-palate. The finish brings a wave of sea-spray minerality and a touch of tannic grip—likely a function of the thicker skins from this wind-lashed site—alongside cool wet-rock notes balanced by more decadent toasty-oak accents.

2021

Producer

Name

So characteristic of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, this Pinot brims with warm raspberry compote and candied cherry fruit, wrapped around a beautifully creamy, dense mid-palate. Sumptuous toasty oak, flinty minerals and crisp acid tension give it shape and lift. Fermented 100% destemmed in small fermenters and punched down twice daily. Barrel-aged for 10 months in French oak (35% new).

2021

Producer

Name

This 2021 Barbera was fermented in stainless steel with punchdowns and aged for 30 months in large 500-liter puncheons—about 25% new, primarily French oak with a touch of American. Blending occurred just prior to bottling. The wine opens with fragrant red berry fruit, wet stone minerality, and dusty wild herbs. On the palate, sweet tea–like tannins frame notes of rose petal and rich cedarwood.

2021

Producer

Name

A blend of 37% Graciano, 34% Monastrell, 23% Tempranillo, and 6% Garnacha, this wine bursts from the glass with dark cherry, blackberry, and smoky cedarwood accents. On the palate, those aromatics deepen with crushed cocoa nib nuances, red berry fruit dusted with mocha spice, savory dried thyme, and espresso bean. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins framing a bold and satisfying finish.

2021

Producer

Name

Dusty red berry fruit and a sourdough-like baking spice lift from the glass. On the palate, this Tempranillo shows a medium-bodied presence, with red currant and tart black cherry intensity. The finish brings in toffee and espresso bean nuances. Tart, bracing, and your best friend for Bolognese.

2021

Producer

Name

This is a muscular, savory Pinot Noir that delivers high-toned aromas of violets, charcuterie, black olive, and herbes de Provence. Firm, powerful tannins provide a solid framework, gradually melting into a core of blood orange acidity and white pepper nuances.

2021

Producer

Name

From Bien Nacido Vineyard’s iconic Z Block—known as “The Original Hillside”—this Syrah marries elegance with tremendous power. The mid-palate reveals concentrated, juicy dark cherry and plum fruit, layered with notes of cocoa powder, strawberry-rhubarb compote, and candied violets. Fine-grained tannins, carrying a refined bergamot tea quality, are supported by saline-driven acidity that provides lift and tension. The finish is long, spicy, and savory, underpinned by a deep mineral core.

2021

Producer

Name

The Artist Series “The Tree” from Llano Estacado leads with savory black olive, licorice, and tar notes. Medium-bodied, it is framed by intense tannins that will benefit from some additional aging to soften. The wine finishes long, with a distinct ironstone mineral quality.

2021

Producer

Name

The Kubacak Vineyards Sangiovese Classico from the Texas High Plains is a meaty, savory red, infused with white pepper aromas. Medium-bodied with intense character, it shows hints of pressed wildflowers, green olives, and ends with a very dry finish.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

$

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Malbec

Still

$$

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Red Wine

Still

$$$

2021

2021 Kalasi Cellars Narra Vineyards, Tannat Entav Clone

Still

$$

2021

2021 Kelleri Bozen Green Sauvignon

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 Kerrville Hills Pepper Jack Vineyard Teroldego

-

$

2021

2021 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Blanc de Blancs

Sparkling Wine

$

2021

2021 Landmark Vineyards Hilliard Bruce Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 Landmark Vineyards Rodgers Creek Chardonnay

Still Wine

$

2021

2021 Landmark Vineyards Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Barbera

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Red Wine Coccineous

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Tempranillo

Still Wine

$$

2021

2021 Lavender Oak Vineyard & Winery Estate Grown Pinot Noir

Still Wine

N/A

2021

2021 Lindquist Family Wines Bien Nacido Vineyard Z Block “The Original Hillside” Syrah

Still Wine

N/A

2021

2021 Llano Estacado “The Tree” Tempranillo

Still

$$

2021

2021 Llano Estacado Kubacak Vineyards, Sangiovese Classico

Still

$$

MAILING LIST

The only email you want to open

  • Podcast Drops
  • New Reports
  • Latest Scores