2022

Cristaldi Scores

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3 Steves Winery

Townsend Ranch Reserve Sangiovese

This wine club–exclusive Sangiovese opens with an earthy, savory nose layered with red fruits, dried orange peel, vanilla, and a touch of cherry liqueur. The medium- to full-bodied palate delivers sinewy, extracted red cherry fruit wrapped in bright, almost crunchy acidity. -JR

Red

2022

Ab Astris Winery

Cabernet Franc

Aged for 36 months in 33% new French oak, this wine comes from Newsom Vineyards in Plains, Texas, located due west of Lubbock and just seven miles from the Texas–New Mexico border. It’s a well-built wine showing ripe currant and spiced plum fruit with cocoa powder notes on the nose, complemented by bright baking spice, sagebrush, Hatch pepper, and a meaty undertone. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals more spice character and a pleasant loamy earth minerality on the finish. Balanced and polished, with a lush texture. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith, with Mike Nelson heading up winemaking. Their 12-acre estate, planted between 2018 and 2019, grows a range of varieties including Tannat, Souzão, Clairette Blanche, Petite Sirah, and Montepulciano.

Red

2022

Ab Astris Winery

Tannat

Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 32 months in 40% new American oak. Yields were incredibly low in 2022. Winemaker Mike Nelson notes that the variety retains heat well—some years require no acid adjustment for his Tannat, while in others he adds a touch to balance. He envisions pairing this wine with venison, Tex-Mex, or barbecue, and it’s certainly built for that. The wine shows meaty richness and an iron-laced quality that underscores its medium- to full-bodied character, nuanced by dried prairie grass notes. Solid, firm tannins build with intensity on the finish, giving the wine structure, length, tension, and power. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith. Winemaker Mike Nelson is dedicated to producing handcrafted vintages from their 12-acre estate, the Hill Country, and the Texas High Plains.

Red

2022

Ab Astris Winery

Tempranillo

The 2022 vintage was a drought year in Texas, and typically Ab Astris would produce a single-vineyard designate, but not this time. In this vintage, winemaker Mike Nelson fermented the wine in bins and aged it for 30 months in a combination of neutral and up to 40% new American oak. The wine shows red berry fruit and baking spice character building in intensity across the medium-bodied palate, framed by fine, firm tannins and finishing with cocoa powder and vanilla notes. Ab Astris is a boutique, family-owned winery founded by Erin and Tony Smith. Winemaker Mike Nelson handcrafts vintages from their 12-acre estate, the Hill Country, and the Texas High Plains.

Red

2022

Adega Vinho

Branca Estate Reserve

This blend of Arinto and Alvarinho, two Portuguese varieties, is sourced from the limestone, clay, and sandy soils of Bilger Family Estate Vineyard in Stonewall, TX. Barrel-fermented and aged in oak for seven months, it offers a vibrant and well-rounded profile. Bright citrus fruit notes, including lemon oil, are complemented by apricot, pear, and a subtle touch of nougat. Medium-bodied, this white delivers a refreshing and lengthy finish, balancing richness with a lively energy.

Red

2022

Adega Vinho

Chardonnay

This Chardonnay, sourced from the Texas Hill Vineyard in Blanco County within the Texas Hill Country AVA, is a standout expression of the variety. It shines with bright lemon oil character, honey-laced wildflowers, and a subtle kiss of vanilla, all elegantly intertwined with cedarwood notes that add depth to its medium-bodied profile. Beneath its rich layers lies a firm backbone of racy, spicy acidity that builds with intensity. The finish is long and memorable, marked by nuances of cardamom cream and candied lemon peel.

White

2022

Agathodaemon

Egan Vineyard Malbec

Sourced from the Egan Vineyard in the Rogue Valley, this Malbec is yet another compelling reason why the region should hang its hat on the variety. Dark berry fruit mingles on the nose with a wonderfully expressive mix of dried wild herbs—a panoply of sage, thyme, rosemary, fennel, and straw. These savory elements build on the medium-bodied palate, framed by rose-petal-scented tannins that are firm yet graceful, resolving into chocolaty nuances and saline-mineral tension. A juicy spine of acidity ties it all together. A lovely wine, and a natural match for smoked or braised meats.

Red

2022

Agathodaemon

Viognier

From the Egan Vineyard, this 2022 Viognier is a stunning wine, offering lifted aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine, salted Marcona almonds, and a burst of expressive lemon-lime citrus, poached apple, and pear. There’s impressive mid-palate weight and fruit density, all balanced by zippy acid tension.

White

2022

Airy Acres Vineyard

Cabernet Franc

Airy Acres Vineyard is a 21-acre certified sustainable estate site on the west side of Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region, which sources this 2022 Cabernet Franc. Fermented on the skins for 11 days in bins, then pressed and aged for 10 months in a mix of seasoned French oak barrels and one new French oak barrel, this is a light, bright, fruit-forward expression with juicy plum fruit on the medium- to full-bodied palate, velvety tannins, and a dusting of cedarwood spice on the earthy, well-framed finish.

Red

2022

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

El Jabali Chardonnay

Tension, tension, tension. This is one of the finest Chardonnays I’ve tasted from this winery—elegant yet electric. Refined aromas of lemon, apricot, and nougat rise gently from the glass, leading into a satiny-textured palate layered with juicy, plump white peach. Slate-stone minerality and sea spray acidity frame the wine with precision, driving a long, mouthwatering finish that hums with energy and finesse.

White

2022

Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

El Jabali Pinot Noir

The 38-acre El Jabali Vineyard—pronounced “el hob-a-lee” and Spanish for “Wild Boar”—is divided into five unique blocks, each with varying slopes and aspects shaped by Pacific Ocean breezes. The 2022 release is one of the most approachable Alma Rosa wines in recent vintages, offering heady aromas of perfumed rose petals, coffee bean spice, and cherry cola. Soft, supple, and silky dark berry fruit envelops the medium-bodied palate, packed with rich toasty oak and layers of baking spices that carry through a long, ironstone-mineral finish.

Red

2022

Anaba Wines

Felix Hunter Vineyard Pinot Noir

Felix Hunter Vineyard lies west of the town of Sebastopol, straddling both the Green Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs. This 100% Pinot Noir, a blend of Clones 828, Calera, Pommard, and 115, was aged for 20 months in 33% new French oak. The wine is beautifully balanced and generous, offering a heady mix of juicy red berry fruit, warm brown spices, star anise, clove, and rose petal. The palate is supple and vibrant, with ripe, juicy fruit floating over fine, firm tannins. Notes of blood orange acidity, loamy earth, and a touch of vanillin-charred tobacco bring depth and lift to the finish. Long and satisfying, it’s a Pinot Noir well suited to heartier fare. Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.

Red

2022

Anaba Wines

Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard Chardonnay

The Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard Chardonnay was aged 19 months in 33% new French oak, resulting in a slightly riper fruit profile than the Westlands bottling. Tropical and stone fruit lead the way, with notes of white peach, apricot, and candied citrus peel. Rich, toasty baking spices wrap around layers of charred pineapple, while a long, saline-driven finish brings energy and focus. A dazzling, beautifully balanced wine. Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.

White

2022

Anaba Wines

WestLands Chardonnay

I love this Chardonnay’s focus and precision. Highly aromatic, it opens with hints of salted lemon peel, lime blossom, and crushed Marcona almonds. Medium-bodied yet rich in character, it offers impressive depth of fruit alongside a long, salt-stone mineral finish that keeps the wine light, bright, and full of energy. Notes of candied ginger and quince linger gracefully after the first sip. Chardonnay barrels are hand-selected each vintage for this bottling, with the wine aged 17 months in 40% new French oak. Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.

White

2022

Anaba Wines

WestLands Pinot Noir

Gorgeous aromatics of dark cherry, cherry wood smoke, and clove rise from the glass, unfolding into a tapestry of exotic Asian spices that lift and energize the palate. Crunchy apple-skin tannins frame a supple core of dark berry fruit, and the interplay of fruit, spice, and gentle grip creates a wonderfully textural, deeply flavored experience. Sourced from vineyards along the western edge of the Sonoma Coast AVA, this 100% Pinot Noir was aged 20 months in 33% new French oak barrels and is composed of Clones 667, 828, and Pommard. Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.

Red

2022

Anaba Wines

Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir

The Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from vines planted in 1998, situated at 800 feet above sea level within both the Sonoma Coast and Carneros AVAs. Composed entirely of Clone 115, it was aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. Aromas of wood smoke and redwood forest floor mingle with dark cherry and warm brown baking spices, growing more savory as the wine opens. The palate is framed by rich, round, and supple tannins with subtle notes of vanilla, clove, and cedarwood. There’s a notable influence of barrel spice for those who enjoy a toasty style, while the elevated vineyard—bathed in abundant sunlight—ensures beautifully ripe, juicy fruit that imparts a supple, almost sweet impression.Founded in 2006 by proprietor John Sweazey, and guided by winemaker Katy Wilson since 2014, Anaba produces limited-production Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhône-style wines, many from exclusive vineyard partnerships.

Red

2022

Anthony Road Wine Company

Barrel Ferment Pinot Gris

This Pinot Gris, like the stainless steel version, is sourced from the winery’s Nutt Road Vineyard, where silty loam soils are threaded with limestone and shale. Fermented in large-format 500-liter oak barrels and aged on the lees for up to seven months without malolactic conversion, it gains a lovely mid-palate richness without the need for residual sugar to offset the racy acidity. Light to nearly medium-bodied, it offers crunchy early-season pear and apple fruit that drive the long, mineral-laced finish. A thirst-quencher with layered texture and purity of fruit.

White

2022

Anthony Road Wine Company

Cabernet Franc

Sourced from Martini Family Vineyard and Nutt Road Vineyard, this Cabernet Franc was aged for approximately 12 months in neutral French and American oak barrels. Dark, crunchy red fruit interlaces with cedarwood spice and the classic herbal character of the variety, lending a woodsy, aromatic quality. Firm, structured tannins frame the palate, with notes of tobacco on a saline-mineral finish.

Red

2022

Anthony Road Wine Company

Dry Riesling

A classic Finger Lakes Riesling viewed through the lens of an acid trip—bright, edgy, and wildly expressive. It opens with flinty minerality and a spray of lime zest before unfurling into crunchy pear and a touch of orange marmalade on the mid-palate. The finish is long and coiled, driven by wet stone and electric tension. Balanced, vibrant, and an absolute joy to drink.

White

2022

Aperture

Proterra

The Proterra (formerly known as Nomad) is a blend of 82% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. The name changed with the 2022 vintage. Aged 22 months in 85% new French oak. The wine is dark-fruited and savory-spiced, with notes of fig paste, blackberry, cherry, and cherry pie, along with salted dark chocolate and black-tea tannins that are substantial — almost chunky — underscored by good acid tension. Fragrant sagebrush and bay laurel add layers of complexity and spice. It’s a long, full-flavored wine with full-bodied richness that finds balance in its acid backbone, an impressive feat given the vintage.

Red

2022

Argot

Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir

The Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir is a Sonoma County appellation blend, divined from exceptional fruit sources, and for winemaker Justin Harmon he wants it to explode out of the glass. As Harmon puts it, “Every single one of our Pinots has a shot at becoming this cuvée.” The final blend is often anchored by Swan selection, followed by Calera and Clone 115. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak, the wine delivers on its promise—it practically explodes from the glass with expressive dark berry fruit, floral intensity, and spice. The palate is creamy and decadent, medium- to full-bodied, with lavish notes of clove, cardamom, and baking spice layered over crushed cacao nibs and violets. A hint of rose petal and crushed river stones adds further complexity. The finish is long, fruit-driven, and spiced-up, framed by juicy acidity that lifts the wine’s richness and keeps it fresh and vibrant.

Red

2022

Argot

Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir

From the renowned Kanzler Vineyard, this Pinot Noir is strikingly floral and high-toned, with lifted aromatics of white pepper, blood orange, and rose petals. Medium-bodied with wonderful depth and concentration, the palate reveals ripe dark berry fruit framed by sinewy, velvety tannins. Layers of baking spice—clove in particular—interweave with crushed slate and a full-bodied richness. The finish is long, salty, and perfumed, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and power in equal measure.

Red

2022

Argot

Le Rayon Vert Chardonnay

This Le Rayon Vert is a Barrel Select Cuvée that undergoes an extended élevage, spending six months in stainless steel following its time in oak prior to bottling. The nose is strikingly flinty and toasty, with layers of nectarine, kumquat, and orange peel with spicy ginger. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers intense grip and saline-acid tension that energizes the structure. The finish is long and warming, with a lingering note of apple pie spice that rounds out the wine’s vibrant core.

White

2022

Argot

Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay

The Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay is a study in elegance and aromatic complexity. Winemaker Justin Harmon has worked with this site since 2009, and the depth of familiarity shows in the wine’s finesse. It opens with captivating notes of black licorice, wild fennel, and tarragon, layered over salty citrus fruit and delicate apple blossom. There’s a distinctive herbal lift—like cold chamomile tea—that interplays beautifully with high-toned orchard fruit and expressive baking spices. The palate shows excellent concentration, anchored by a firm bed of juicy, crunchy acidity that carries through a long, vibrant finish.

White

2022

Argot

Steiner Vineyard Syrah

From vines on Sonoma Mountain at 1,100 feet, rooted in gray, ashen soils. The nose absolutely screams with crunchy black cherry fruit, violet pastille, rose petals, white pepper, and tobacco spices. Full-bodied with a suave texture and supple tannins, it delivers layers of tobacco leaf and cigar box, black truffle, and charcuterie. Super juicy blood orange notes carry through the everlasting finish, lifted by grippy acidity. Aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak.

Red

2022

Argot

Syrah

Absolutely explosive in its expression, this Syrah from Sonoma Mountain is both intensely perfumed and deliciously concentrated. Aged for 22 months in 25% new French oak, the wine reflects meticulous farming practices that are critical to taming Syrah’s natural vigor. As winemaker Justin notes, “Syrah should be farmed like Pinot—but it’s so vigorous you need a machete to the canopy, or the sun will never reach the fruit.” To ensure proper exposure, the vineyard is farmed down to one cluster per shoot, yielding around 2.5 tons per acre. The resulting wine bursts with aromas of violets, white pepper, blood orange, and cherry, framed by expressive pine forest notes. The palate is rich yet lifted, carrying all those vibrant elements through a lengthy, beautifully attractive finish.

Red

2022

Au Bon Climat

Bien Nacido Chardonnay Nuits Blanches au Bouge

To fully appreciate this wine, you need the backstory, as laid out on the back label: “First there was Nuits Blanches, a blue label Chardonnay born from the frustration Jim Clendenen felt toward the critical response for his Chardonnays. It was bold, brash, obvious, and overwhelming. The 2000 vintage XXth Anniversary Chardonnay marked a style reconciliation. The richness and aggressiveness of the Nuits Blanches style would be tempered with the balance, acidity, and complexity of the Au Bon Climat ‘Bouge’ style. Power and elegance. Big entry and persistent finish. This bottling comes from ABC’s Bien Nacido ‘K’ Block Estate, and the Le Bon Climat Estate Vineyard across from the Santa Maria River. Now [the late] Jim can have his toast, and eat with it, too!” And on that note, this toasty, gorgeously focused Chardonnay opens like a morning walk on the beach, sea spray minerality weaving through the air like the scent of just-baked croissants. Lush and supple—like the underbelly of a crashing wave laced with lemon juice and lime zest—it delivers a cascade of white flowers and salted Marcona almonds. There’s a squeeze of tangerine, the bite of kumquat, and a whisper of butterscotch that lingers with subtle, enticing richness. Jim would be proud.

White

2022

Au Bon Climat

Pinot Noir Isabelle

Named after the late Jim Clendenen’s daughter, Isabelle, this wine is a blend of the best barrels from Au Bon Climat’s top vineyard sites. It’s a beautifully fragrant Pinot Noir, with bright pine forest aromatics and deep forest berry character layered with nuances of espresso and pomegranate seed. A tapestry of velvety-textured tannins envelops the palate, carrying juicy cherry, blood orange, and fragrant Indian spices through an extended, graceful finish. Sources for the 2022 include: Bien Nacido (Santa Maria Valley AVA), Rancho La Cuna, Los Alamos Vineyard, Kick on Vineyard (Los Alamos Valley – Santa Barbara County), Talley Vineyard (Arroyo Grande AVA), and Lala Panzi Vineyard (Russian River Valley AVA). These small lots are kept separate throughout fermentation and aging and the final blend is a lot selection of the best barrels.

Red

2022

Au Bon Climat

Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay

A gorgeously focused Chardonnay, exhibiting remarkable restraint and precision. Lime-bright acidity drives its linear profile, while oyster shell minerality, quince, and ginger weave through with layered nuance. Despite its taut structure, the wine reveals impressive mid-palate density and salinity, delivering both width and depth. It manages the rare feat of combining gravitas with sheer levity.

White

2022

Augusta Vin

Beau Chance Red Wine

A blend of Malbec, Tempranillo, Souzao, Petite Sirah, and Tannat. Aged for roughly 30 months in a mix of new and neutral French oak. This is a bold and powerful wine, with succulent dark berry fruit and well-integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, with soaring tannins, mocha nuances, and dusty minerality, finishing with lingering coffee bean notes.