2022

Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Ronchi di Castelluccio

Buco del Prete

This site, named “hole of the priest”, refers to land previously belonging to the church, with a vineyard planted at the base of two adjoining steep hillsiodes. It leaeds with very dark cherry and dried roses, then presents aromas of vibrant red fruits. The palate is earthy, funky, chewy, and structured, leading to a mineral-tinged finish. – J.R.

Red

2022

Ronchi di Castelluccio

Ronco de Re

There’s a lot to like about this white, sourced from a steep, riverside vineyard. A perky nose is abundant with white flowers, ripe citrus, jasmine, underripe pineapple, pear, and yellow and green apples. 9 months in new and second-use French oak lend a hint of toast tro the racy palate, which shows flavors of ripe lemons and a chalky minerality, leading to a long citrus-peel finish. – J.R.

White

2022

Ronchi di Castelluccio

Sottovento

From 30+ year old, bush-trained vines comes this intriguing and mineral Sauvignon, aged 12 months in used French oak barrels. Peach blossom and tropical fruit notes mingle with ripe grapefruit and a touch of hay on the nose. In the mouth it starts quite rounded, with developed citrus, grilled orange peel, ripe yelow apple, and mandarin orange flavors. A saline hint adds complexity and nuance. – J.R.

White

2022

Rose Hill Vineyards

Brut Rose

Is it the label, or does this wine truly radiate gorgeous rose petal florals? Yes—it absolutely does. Those perfumed aromatics are joined by red berry fruit and French pastry notes, with a hint of pistachio cream and coriander unfolding on the long, enveloping finish. Native yeast fermented, it’s a beautifully balanced and complex wine.

Rosé

2022

Roth

Ode to the Beast

Primarily sourced from the Chalk Hill Estate, this wine is made at the estate winery, fermented in stainless steel, and aged 24 months in 67% new French oak and 10% American oak. It’s plump and juicy, packed with blackberry and black-raspberry fruit, spiced plums, violets, and rose-petal nuances. Sweet spices frame the palate, supported by rich, velvety tannins that resolve with a cocoa-powder character.

Red

2022

Ryanrose

Tempranillo

A gentle giant of a Tempranillo. Red-toned fruit, cedarwood, and crushed cacao nibs rise on the nose and carry through the medium-bodied palate, where powerful, burly tannins build toward a towering finish. Give this a good decant and pair it with well-salted ribeyes. From Folin Vineyard, which has been ripped out. Fermented in bins, with twice daily punchdowns and pumpovers, and aged 24 months in 50% new French oak.

Red

2022

Sakura Winery

Sakura Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon

Sourced from two small lots on the property, with Tempranillo vines planted in between, both parcels were fermented together and aged in French oak for around 24 months. On the nose, the wine offers crunchy cranberry fruit, tobacco-leaf character, and perfumed rose-petal and cherry-blossom notes. Full-bodied, with ripe, fine-grained tannins and a clean wet-stone minerality, it finishes with tangy, citrusy acidity that is pleasantly refreshing.

Red

2022

Sakura Winery

Sakura Vineyard, Tempranillo

Lifted and enticing notes of black-cherry fruit, white truffle, charcuterie and bacon fat, with hints of vanillin and violets. All come together on the palate, where the fruit is bright and richer in tone, with dark-cherry and spiced-plum notes, pomegranate-seed character and violet and lavender nuances throughout. Super perfumed, juicy and delicious. Grapes are aged in American oak for 24 months, mostly neutral.

Red

2022

Samsara

Cuvée d'Inspiration

This blend of 55% Syrah, 36% Grenache, and 9% Mourvèdre was 85% whole cluster pressed, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in entirely neutral oak. Exceptionally approachable and medium-bodied, it delivers a vibrant burst of crunchy red berry fruit, supported by a fragrant underbrush undertone and a touch of crushed cocoa nib. Ground espresso and dried blood orange rind bring added complexity, while paprika and white pepper lend aromatic intrigue. The finish is nicely chalky, leaving a savoury and textural impression.

Red

2022

Samsara

Francesca Vineyard Chardonnay

The 2022 Samsara Chardonnay hails from Francesca Vineyard, a windswept, seven-acre site on the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills, where sandy-loam soils and full Pacific exposure yield intensely concentrated fruit. Aromatically, it lifts from the glass like a perfectly buttered bowl of popcorn—rich with caramel, smoky toasted oak, and butter croissant notes. Despite the decadent nose, the palate is more focused and linear, with plenty of mid-palate richness layered with baking spices. Bright lemony acidity keeps it taut, balanced by citrus oil richness—think lemon and tangerine—finishing with salted, toasted almonds. A bold, generous expression of Chardonnay from this extreme coastal site.

White

2022

Samsara

John Sebastiano Vineyard Syrah

This Syrah hails from John Sebastiano Vineyard—one of the crown jewels of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Windswept and wild, it’s an exceptional site for Syrah, and this 2022 rendition from Samsara is a case in point. High-toned and aromatic, it opens with violet, rose petal, dried lavender, bay laurel and black truffle charcuterie, all laced with a dusting of sweetly smoked paprika. The palate is beautifully supple, medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins that carry an intriguing mineral edge—think crushed red rock or iron. It finishes with slate-like texture and tension, leaving a vivid, dynamic impression. A knockout effort from winemaker Matt Brady and the cellar team. Joan and Dave Szkutak, owners of Samsara, continue to assemble an impressive portfolio of utterly riveting wines.

Red

2022

Sans Liege Wines

Grenache En Gedi

This Santa Barbara County Grenache comes from Sans Liege, a Tin City–based producer in Paso Robles, with fruit sourced from Alta Mesa Vineyard in the Cuyama Valley. The label is incredibly cool—and the wine delivers, too. It’s zesty and zippy, driven by vibrant acid tension that resolves into a chalky mineral texture. Medium-bodied and expressive, it’s rife with dark cherry, raspberry, and strawberry fruit, layered with notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and dusty dried rose petal.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Durell Vineyard Chardonnay

From Durell Vineyard. The sandhill at the top of this site isn’t sand at all but diatomaceous earth, and Gaffner works with three clones planted there: Wente, See, and Rued. The nose is intensely mineral, with a chalky edge, salted Marcona almonds, flinty notes, and well-measured toasty oak spice. The palate has real depth and flavor, showing apricot, white peach, pear, and yellow apple, all carried by a saline-toned minerality. A touch of lemon-cream lift comes through on the finish, a hallmark of Gaffner’s long, slow, cool fermentation with malolactic completing later.

White

2022

Saxon Brown

ETRE Chardonnay

From Durell, Sangiacomo’s Green Acres, and Catarina, where they work with a unique Chardonnay selection that reminds Jeff Gaffner of Riesling. The wine is barrel-fermented long and cool, with malolactic held back until the following spring; he stirs the lees through winter before allowing ML to finish naturally. The result is a layered, deeply textural Chardonnay with a complex, nuanced oak profile and impressive acid freshness. Extremely ripe quince, candied ginger, and a touch of saline drive the finish. Just dynamite.

White

2022

Saxon Brown

Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir

Swan, 777, 415 and 828 clones are all co-fermented here, and it’s off to the races. Ferrington has two distinct sections: an older, virus-affected block, and newer plantings of Pommard and 828. The wine shows more mid-palate weight and generosity, with dark berry fruit, fig notes, black tea and loamy earth. A building richness is neatly framed by a cool freshness from the firm acid backbone, with lingering brown baking spices on the finish. Energetic, layered and delicious.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Fighting Brothers Pinot Noir

Fighting Brothers indicates a multi-vineyard blend; in this case it’s Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Roberts Road. Gaffner’s Pinot Noir approach is consistent across sites: he starts with a cold soak and works in pumpovers and punchdowns before alcohol rises, as he believes ABV acts as a solvent. Early extraction builds color, tannin, and esters, and once fermentation is underway he backs off. After fermentation and cold stabilization, the wine goes to barrel for about 16 months with 40% new French oak. The method precipitates out harsher tannins and preserves the finer elements, resulting in wonderfully precise, soft, velvety tannins that frame ripe dark-berry fruit. A cool, refreshing edge runs through the wine, along with underbrush nuances and warm baking spices on a lengthy finish.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Fighting Brothers Zinfandel

Holy Zinfandel—this is honestly one of the tastiest Zins I’ve sampled in years. Kudos to Jeff Gaffner (winemaker and dad to Jason and Tyler, the ‘Fighting Brothers’), though the real triumph here is the internal balancing act: blending the many personalities of Zinfandel into a wine that feels wholly complete and seamless. Even at 15% alcohol, it tastes cool, balanced and refined. Classic red-berry Zin fruit lifts from the glass, while the core delivers fantastic concentration of mixed-berry and brambly-spiced flavors. Suave, seductive and silky, it envelops the palate and finishes with savory-spice nuances. A joyful, soulful wine.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir

Sourced from two sections of Gap’s Crown—one higher on the slope and one lower in elevation. Incredibly floral and bright, with red berry fruit, rich baking spices and cherry pie notes. Medium-bodied on the palate yet delivering impressive depth of flavor, with a saline-acid brightness that feels both enticing and sumptuous. Totally captivating—you can’t help but finish the entire bottle in one sitting.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir

From the Garys’ Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands comes this ripe-cherry-fruited, vanilla-laced, cedarwood-spiced Pinot Noir, bending around rich espresso-bean nuances and supple tannins. A plump, creamy mid-palate is lifted by zesty blood-orange acidity, leading to a lingering finish of warm Indian spice and vanilla-bean cream. Sumptuously refined.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

GMS Red Blend

Beautifully refined, filled with baking-spice and cedarwood accents, and lifted by floral notes that cascade through the wine. Juicy cherry and blackberry mingle with plum and pluot, creating a fragrant, flavor-packed profile. Medium- to full-bodied, with gentle tannins that support all that juicy fruit and warm spice, and a lingering wet-slate minerality. Just lovely.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Green Acres Hill Vineyard Chardonnay

Sangiacomo’s Green Acres Hill Vineyard in Carneros, planted entirely to Wente clone, yields a highly aromatic Chardonnay with a lift of lemon-cream foam that expands across the palate. Subtle tropical fruit richness and a thread of apricot follow, joined by beautifully integrated cedarwood and a clean, wet-slate minerality. The finish is laser-focused and long. A super expressive, multidimensional wine from winemaker Jeff Gaffner.

White

2022

Saxon Brown

Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

The Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay from Jeff Gaffner is wonderfully fragrant, zesty and fresh—exactly as Hyde is meant to be. Pure citrus notes rise from the glass, nuanced by white-flower aromatics and crushed-almond accents, all embraced by sumptuous, well-integrated oak spice. The medium-bodied palate builds both richness and volume before giving way to a host of saline, rocky mineral characters that carry the wine through a long, invigorating finish.

White

2022

Saxon Brown

Roberts Road Pinot Noir

Gorgeously woody and deeply sumptuous on the palate. Creamy in texture yet bolstered by crisp apple-skin tannins, with an expressive salinity running through the core. Layers of sumptuous brown spices unfold alongside graham cracker crust on the finish.

Red

2022

Saxon Brown

Roberts Road Vineyard Chardonnay

Such an alluring nose of anise, fennel, and lemon cream and French pastry, apricot jam and flinty minerals, all coming together on the palate framed by richer tropical notes of grilled pineapple, and white peach, with butterscotch cream and lemon zest, supported by zingy acid tension and a toasty oak finish. This Roberts Road Vineyard Chardonnay from Jeff Ganer is one of the more richer styles of Chardonnay he produces, and if you love that style this is your bag baby.

White

2022

Seagrape Wine Co.

Hibbit's Ranch Pinot Noir

A very pretty and elegant red-fruited Pinot Noir, this wine opens with fragrant aromas of baking spices, espresso bean, clove, and a delicate touch of coriander. Juicy blood orange acidity brings lift and vibrancy, framing a lengthy, nuanced finish marked by pink sea salt and gentle, well-integrated tannins.

Red

2022

Siboney Cellars

Lahey Vineyards, Cabernet Franc

From Lahey Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, this is 100% Cabernet Franc aged in 30% new French oak. Just 250 cases made. Candied red-berry fruit and brown baking-spice notes lead, joined by hints of coriander and cumin that build across the medium-bodied palate. Smoky clove and a streak of blood-orange acidity (with just a touch of grapefruit pith) add lift and detail. Taut, firm tannins resolve nicely on the finish.

Red

2022

Slate Theory

The Narcoleptic

Aged for 31 months in 34% new French oak and 66% neutral oak, this medium-bodied red is full-flavored, showing dark brambly berry fruit and subtle medium-toast oak nuances. Rich loamy earth and currant notes add depth, leading to a lasting finish marked by crushed stone minerality.

Red

2022

Slate Theory

The Schizophrenic

This wine received longer aging than is typical for the winery—31 months in 57% new French oak and 43% neutral oak. It opens with alluring notes of sagebrush, thyme, and rosemary layered over dark loamy earth, violets, and charcuterie. Currant fruit and dark chocolate–covered cherries add richness to the medium-bodied palate, which finishes with a lingering, earthy depth. The Jones family purchased Torre di Pietra Winery in 2018 and invested in 1851 Vineyards the following year, rebranding the operation as Slate Mill Wine Collective and expanding into a custom crush facility. The first official release under the Slate Theory label was a 2017 Malbec, and the Slate Theory winery and cave opened in 2021.

Red

2022

Slate Theory Winery

Cabernet Franc

Aged for 20 months in 87% new French oak. Shows classic Cabernet Franc character, with high-toned dried herb and tart red berry fruit aromatics. Firm tannins frame the palate, leading to a focused, mineral-driven finish.

Red

2022

Slate Theory Winery

Reserve Tempranillo

This Tempranillo is sourced fruit for now, but estate-grown vines are on the way. Fermented in smaller oak fermenters and then aged for 18 months in 58% new French oak. The wine shows tart red berry fruit with refined, smooth tannins and good acid grip that carries through the long finish. A touch of toasty oak and baking spices is layered throughout, but the wine remains fresh, focused, and inviting—an ideal match for barbecue.

Red

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2022

Producer

Name

Made from 100% Cabernet Franc sourced from Patrician Verona Vineyards—a 70-acre, sustainably certified estate in the Cayuga Lake AVA—this is a pretty and complex wine. The fruit was racked into a mix of neutral French and American oak barrels, and aged for eight months. With source vines dating back to 1990 and the youngest planted in 2017, the resulting wine showcases elegant red berry fruit layered with brown baking spices, earth, and rose petal nuances. Juicy notes of blood orange and cranberry brighten the mid-palate, while lithe, sinewy tannins frame the supple texture of this medium-bodied expression.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

I had this with a mortadella dish from The Park Inn in Hammondsport, NY—a glorious stack served on grilled focaccia with olives and orange mustard—and the pairing absolutely soared. It has a nutty, brown-spice depth that turns into cherry-almond marzipan on the palate. Paired with that mortadella, it draws out all the savory, nutty nuance and then rinses the fat clean with precision and lift. Do yourself a favor: recreate this pairing, or you’re missing out. Winemaker Phil Plummer is like a modern-day Icarus, flying just a little too close to the sun with his experiments—but the results are golden. Keep flying, Phil.

Orange

2022

Producer

Name

This Cabernet Sauvignon is medium-bodied, showing red currant fruit and black tea notes layered with sagebrush. Superfine tannins provide a solid foundation for this tangy, zesty, blood-orange-fueled red, which finishes with savory black olive and black truffle charcuterie nuances. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The Conflation Red is a bold, dark-fruited wine with muscular tannins and appealing iron-stone mineral tension at mid-palate. Ripe currant and cassis emerge on the medium- to full-bodied finish, joined by lingering notes of dark fig and subtle underbrush. Nicely put together and easily crushable. Winemaker Jason Englert oversees an 80,000 case production across all Heath Family Brands (Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Jenblossom Cellars and Invention Vineyards).

Red

2022

Producer

Name

100% Tempranillo, farmed at 15 clusters per vine with yields around 1.5 tons per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns over 7–10 days. Malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel, followed by 12 months in 20–30% new French oak, then transferred to neutral barrels for an additional 6–12 months prior to bottling. Aromas are bright and clean, with tart red berry fruit, baking spices, and subtle cedarwood notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, supported by very fine-grained tannins and crunchy red berry fruit. The wine is savory-spiced, with excellent fruit purity and mouthwatering acidity.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Absolutely fantastic, this Chardonnay shows Chablis-like minerality and lemon-lime freshness with tremendous tension. Medium-bodied, it features a satiny core of apple and pear fruit layered with crushed almond, all leading to a long, saline-acid finish. Bright, fresh, and assertive—a standout. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that they work with 10 different clones of Chardonnay, most of which are planted on granitic soils. He prioritizes acidity at harvest, often doing multiple picks within the same block to build complexity and ensure he never needs to add acid. After settling overnight, the juice is racked to barrel and inoculated with native yeast in-barrel. The wine is aged for up to 15 months in one-third new French oak and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Lots are kept separate throughout aging, lees stirring is minimal, and blending occurs just before bottling. Of the three estate Chardonnays Winemaker Brian Gruber produces, Ascendance is the top cuvée and the first blend assembled—focused on precision and structure. Convergence follows, crafted for more roundness and ripeness, while the Estate Chardonnay is blended last, offering an expression that reflects the broader vineyard character.

White

2022

Producer

Name

Total elegance—this Pinot Noir weaves conifer notes around bright red berry, cherry, and pomegranate fruit, accented by flinty minerality and gorgeous cedarwood. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers cherry, blood orange, and cranberry, all lifted by crunchy cranberry acidity. The tannins are fine, firm, and taut—beautifully elongated and persistent through the long, spicy finish. A superbly built and absolutely delicious Pinot Noir. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The nose is beautifully fragrant, with savory conifer and dried pine tips layered with incense and underbrush, interwoven with bright red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, framed by gentle tannins and lifted by vivid blood orange acidity. The long, lingering finish offers a delicate kiss of sweetness balanced by a subtle, amaro-like bitterness. Bright, vivid, and wonderfully complex. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Only five barrels were produced of this Rhône blend from Jaffurs, and it’s a beauty. The nose is utterly captivating—candied violets, black cherry, and vanilla layered over ironstone minerality. The palate is soft and juicy on entry, bursting with plump cherry, blackberry, and spiced plum fruit. Zesty, mouthwatering acidity lifts the wine, while that perfumed violet character returns and lingers through a pretty, medium-length, mineral-driven finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Expressive red berry fruit and white peach notes find their stride on the medium-bodied palate, supported by a rich, frothy, and airy mousse that finishes bone dry yet fruit-laden. Made méthode champenoise style from hand-picked Pinot Noir grown on the estate’s 4.5-acre vineyard, planted about 12 years ago on 3309 rootstock. A blend of Clone 777 and Précoce, the fruit underwent a slightly firmer pressing to extract more color, with one year of bottle aging prior to release.

Rosé

2022

Producer

Name

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

Red

2022

Producer

Name

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

Red

2022

Producer

Name

The most captivating wine I tasted at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival in October 2025 came from Kalasi Cellars. This is a medium-bodied red with redcurrant fruit and darker blueberry notes, supported by super-fine tannins that offer a pleasing grip—almost like apple-skin tannin. Brown spices weave through the palate, leading to a medium-bodied, spice-bright finish. A great food-pairing wine thanks to its grip and vibrant spice profile.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

I tasted this wine at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival in October 2025. It shows red-berry fruit and generous mild Indian spices, with a medium-bodied palate feel and soft tannins leading to a juicy red-fruit finish. Cedarwood spice lingers pleasant finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

I tasted this wine at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival in October 2025, and it was quite enticing. It offered sweet red-berry fruit and warm brown spices, with soft tannins and a medium-bodied palate feel. Notes of brown sugar, cedarwood, and charcuterie carried through on the extended finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

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