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Cristaldi Scores

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Vintage

Wine

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Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

2022

Vignerons

Chardonnay

This Chardonnay opens with bold aromas of Meyer lemon and sweet, toasty oak that mellow beautifully on the palate. Layers of lemon oil, apricot, ripe yellow apple, and pear create a rich fruit salad character, all framed by zesty acid tension. The finish evokes the indulgent pleasure of a decaadent, powdered sugar-dusted lemon bar.

2022

Vignerons

Pinot Noir

This is a silky, easy-drinking Pinot Noir brimming with bright red fruit and lifted spice. Velvety in texture, it glides across the palate with notes of espresso bean, clove, and a subtle hint of coriander cream lingering through the finish.

2022

Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery

Cabernet Franc

Sourced from certified sustainable estate vineyards, this wine was aged for 12 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels. This is a delicate and finessed expression of the variety, showing real prettiness with air. Juicy red cherry fruit mingles with clove, espresso bean, grapefruit zest, and a touch of coriander cream. Firm, mineral-laced tannins provide structure to this precise and focused red.

2022

Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery

Lone Oak Vineyard Cabernet Franc

The winery’s first single-vineyard bottling of Cabernet Franc, this wine is sourced from an estate plot just north of the winery along the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. Aged for 12 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels, it shows real polish and elegance, with layered notes of cassis, black currant, and black cherry accented by cedarwood. Medium-bodied with dusty, firm tannins that possess a velvety appeal, the wine finishes long and clean, marked by wet slate minerality, white pepper, and subtle hints of coriander and cumin.

2022

Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery

Melody

The winery’s Melody Vineyard was the first commercial planting of this cultivar in 1984, and they’ve produced a varietal Melody bottling ever since. Harvested in late September, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and aromatic lift. Kiwi fruit rises from the glass and settles into a light- to medium-bodied white with soft, silky texture and a bright acid backbone. Subtle notes of orchard fruit and wet river stone round out this elegant and easy-drinking wine—perfect for enjoying with a good book or while prepping ingredients for a slow-cooked meal.

2022

Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery

Vidal Ice

Sourced from 100% certified sustainable estate vines, these grapes were harvested in late October, then frozen and pressed before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. Gorgeous layers of luscious apricot and ripe pear unfold with honeysuckle and white flower aromatics, all lifted by a zing of kumquat-like crunchy acidity. The wine finishes long and pure with notes of wildflower honey. Balanced and zesty, with just the right amount of sweetness offset by vibrant acid tension.

2022

Wanderlust

Viognier

One of the best wines I tasted from Wanderlust, this Viognier shows impressive mid-palate depth and fragrant, flinty minerality. Notes of quince and honeysuckle blossoms unfold gracefully, carrying through to a medium-length finish.

2022

Wedding Oak

Petite Sirah

Sourced from the Diamonte Dos Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, this Petite Sirah opens with aromas of rose petal, violets, and crunchy red fruit. It is framed by burly tannins that provide a unique granularity, giving the wine an interesting texture that builds with intensity. With good concentration, it finishes with cool graphite and dried herb character. Pair this structured and flavorful wine with herb-encrusted pork loin.

2022

Wedding Oak

Tioja

Aged for 18 months in American oak, the Tioja is smoky and meaty red with generous red fruit flavors and warming spices. Medium-bodied, it is framed by soaring rustic tannins that provide structure, while sweet spices linger on the finish.

2022

Weis Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

Peter 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.

2022

Whitecliff

Cabernet Franc

Sourced from three acres of Cabernet Franc at Olana Vineyard, planted in 2015–2016 on steep, gravelly Knickerbocker soils along the Hudson River. Two clones (317 and 214) are fermented separately with partial stem inclusion in open-top fermenters, then aged for 16 months in Hungarian oak barrels and puncheons. The wine is polished and structured, delivering concentrated dark berry fruit, cedar-laced tannins, and tangy blood orange acidity. Medium- to full-bodied, it finishes with satiny richness, layered baking spices, and a wet slate minerality.

2022

William Chris Vineyards

Enchanté

A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec, and 8% Merlot, the 2022 William Chris Vineyards Enchanté is sourced from Upflit Vineyard on granitic bedrock, as well as Blackmon Ranch and Fovel Family Vineyard, where vines are rooted in Hickory sands. All three sites are located in the Llano Uplift formation within the Texas Hill Country AVA. Fermented in large upright oak fermenters and aged for 17 months in 25% new French oak, the use of French oak layers in tighter, more firm, and structured tannins that are fine-grained and well-integrated. The wine showcases a host of crunchy red and black-toned fruit character, graphite notes, and dried herbs, creating a dynamic and captivating profile. This is a dynamite wine from the Texas Hill Country, offering immediate appeal with the structure and aging potential to evolve beautifully over time.

2022

Wine for the People

Alta Loma Vineyard, Syrah

This Syrah from the Alta Loma Vineyard in Terry County offers enticing candied red berry fruits, currant jelly, and pastille notes on the nose. Medium-bodied, it features crunchy acidity and ripe, soaring tannins that provide structure. The wine resolves with sweet baking spices and savory clove.

2022

Wine for the People

Dell Valley Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc

This old vine Sauvignon Blanc from Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County offers a light- to medium-body, with citrus and subtle orchard fruit undertones, all complemented by intriguing high-toned spices. The palate is balanced and vibrant, finishing with a distinctive chalky minerality.

2022

Wine for the People

Fire Oak Red Blend

From the Fire Oak Vineyard in Mills County, this red blend of 75% Mourvèdre and 25% Carignan is juicy, full-bodied, and layered with crunchy red fruit flavors and sweet spices, complemented by the distinctive character of dried wild herbs. The wine’s juicy acidity brings tension and freshness to the finish.

2022

Wine for the People

Fire Oak Vineyard, Carignan

The Fire Oak Vineyard Carignan from Mills County is a medium-bodied red, offering tart red fruit flavors with a touch of pomegranate seed crunch. The wine is framed by crunchy tannins and accented by flamed orange peel notes on the dry finish.

2022

Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Christians Cuvee (White Horse Label) Pinot Noir

In 2020, winemaker Roman Roth believed the vintage was so exceptional, it warranted a single-vineyard Pinot Noir—and he’s repeated that decision again this year. This is a terrific, bracing, coiled-up wine with impressive depth of red and black fruit concentration, clove spice, savoury herbs, and unsmoked tobacco. Medium-bodied but muscular, the tannins bring power and drive, framing a deeply flavoured, juicy Pinot Noir that finishes with gorgeous saline-acid tension. That salty edge really pops on the long finish, scented with blood orange, cocoa powder, and pressed wildflowers.

2022

Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Diosa (White Horse Label) White Wine

Dazzling. Absolutely delicious, with pure apricot and tangerine fruit shining through—vivid, bright, and bursting with flavour, yet never cloying. There’s impressive depth and precision to this ice wine, with the promise of long ageing potential as it evolves into layers of truffled and honeyed complexity. A stunning pairing for roast chicken in white wine sauce. This wine exemplifies why Long Island belongs in the conversation about world-class wine. Crafted from three distinct handpicked lots, with just 312 cases produced.

2022

Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Estate Cabernet Franc

This Cabernet Franc is a blend of multiple handpicked lots, matured in a mix of barrique barrels, upright oak tank, and stainless steel. Elegant red berry fruit mingles with rich spice and savoury complexity. On the palate, soaring tannins and medium-bodied intensity are lifted by a wet slate mineral edge and a hint of sweet cedarwood that balances the wine’s savoury core.

2022

Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Landius (White Horse Label) Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is compact, expressive, and focused, with a vivid savoury note reminiscent of Hermès leather, layered with espresso bean and crunchy cranberry and cherry fruit. Firm, mineral-laced tannins frame the medium-bodied palate, leading to a long, vivid finish of dried herbs and wet slate. Aged for 22.5 months in French oak barrels (22% new), where it completed malolactic fermentation. Only 482 cases produced.

2022

Wölffer Estate Vineyards

Perle (White Horse Label) Chardonnay

Expressive, focused, complex, and superbly balanced. The wine opens with flinty minerality and bright citrus—Meyer lemon and grapefruit—before unfolding into a silky, weighty mid-palate layered with creamy lemon curd, apricot, crushed almonds, and white flowers. The finish is long, driven by saline-acid tension that’s nearly impossible to beat. It feels like a brilliant cross between the best of Chablis and the far western Sonoma Coast—yet remains unmistakably Long Island, with its sea spray lift, lime-bright acidity, and mouth-puckering grip that beautifully balances the wine’s fleshy mid-palate. Wonderful energy and exceptional precision. “This wine follows in the footsteps of our best 1994 Chardonnay, which launched the fine wine reputation of Wölffer Estate,” says winemaker Roman Roth. Twenty percent of the wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation, and it remained sur lie on whole lees for eight months with minimal bâtonnage.

2022

Wood Family Vineyards

Big Wood Zinfandel

Fermented in open-top bins and aged for 17 months in 25% new French oak, this Zinfandel is big, bold, and Zin-tastic. Bursting with fragrant strawberry-rhubarb fruit and dark chocolate notes, it’s incredibly juicy on the palate, with rich layers of plum and boysenberry. Glorious accents of Indian baking spices, espresso, and dark cacao nibs weave through the finish.

2022

Wood Family Vineyards

Cabernet Franc

This 100% estate-grown Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in 27% new French oak and 8% new Hungarian oak. The nose is strikingly attractive, with dark currant fruit, tobacco, sage, and dried spearmint. Supple yet firm tannins frame a juicy palate with excellent phenolic grip and savory intensity. A gorgeous dried tobacco note carries through, evoking the fragrant dried ranch grasses that scent the Livermore Valley air on a warm summer day. That same aromatic intensity is captured in the glass—and it’s so very pretty.

2022

Wood Family Vineyards

Culmination Cabernet Franc

This 100% Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in 36% new French oak barrels. Polished, poised, and profoundly expressive, it layers perfectly ripe black currant, muddled plum, and black cherry with remarkable precision. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm yet velvety tannins framing savory black fruit laced with sweet dried herbs and spearmint. Cigar box nuances drive the bone-dry finish, while a lift of blood orange acidity brings clarity and focus. It stands out among the most complex Cabernet Francs of my tasting in May 2025 in the Livermore Valley.

2022

Wood Family Vineyards

GSM

This GSM blend brings together Grenache from Fong Vineyard (farmed by Bill Johnson), Syrah from Clark Vineyard, and Mourvèdre from Raboli Vineyard. Aged for 15 months in neutral oak, the wine is beautifully perfumed with rose petals, violets, and bright cranberry and raspberry fruit. Warm baking spices emerge on the medium-bodied palate, where velvety tannins glide to a smooth, satisfying finish.

2022

Wood Family Vineyards

Hot Lips Brut Méthode Champenoise

Made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise, this sparkling wine spent 5 months in tank before aging 18 months on the lees. It opens with bright citrus and orchard fruit layered with French pastry notes. The palate is full-bodied with a super creamy mousse and building richness, balanced by bright, crunchy acidity and a chalky minerality that carries through the long finish.

2022

Wood Family Vineyards

Muy Bueno Zinfandel

Muy Bueno is a ripe, full-throttle Zinfandel—and a clear favorite among newer clientele. It’s often the gateway red for those just getting into wine or who think they don’t like reds. Bold and juicy, it bursts with ripe red berry fruit, rich toffee spice, and high-toned rose petal florals. The finish is brambly and red-fruited, with just enough lift to keep it playful. It’s a fun, crowd-pleasing wine that shines when served slightly chilled—especially alongside BBQ.

2022

Woodenhead

Pinot Noir

The 2022 Woodenhead Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley is unfined and unfiltered, revealing a savory, spice-driven expression of Pinot Noir redolent of cherry fruit wrapped in eucalyptus leaves, with Earl Grey tea nuances framing the medium-bodied palate. Black tea–like tannins add structure, leading to a punctuated, lingering finish. Those savory elements are beautifully integrated and make this an ideal pairing for herb-dusted pork loin, spare ribs, or grilled branzino. Enjoy now through 2029.

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

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2022

Producer

Name

Sourced from three distinct growing areas—the Escolle Vineyard in the northern Santa Lucia Highlands, the Paraiso Springs Vineyard at the southern end of the Highlands, and Danny’s Vineyard in the cooler western Chualar Canyon—this Pinot Noir was destemmed into small fermenters and punched down twice daily, then aged for 10 months in French oak (25% new). It’s a delicious wine, markedly mineral-rich with an iron-like, red-rock volcanic character and dusty mineral tones layered beneath juicy cherry fruit. Sweet cedar spices are nicely integrated, leading to a finish colored by clove, blood orange and a smoky mineral thread. I really like this wine; it was among my favorites from the Landmark lineup I tasted for this report.

2022

Producer

Name

A ripe, fully expressive Pinot Noir brimming with cherry fruit, layered baking spices and rich plum notes, supported by cola spice and a vibrant core of juicy acidity. The mid-palate is satiny, the finish pleasantly measured and clean. The Rayhill Vineyard lies in the newly recognized Sebastopol Hills district within the highly sought-after Russian River Valley appellation. Fermented 100% destemmed in small fermenters and punched down twice daily, then aged for 10 months in French oak (40% new).

2022

Producer

Name

Packs a punch of butterscotch and toffee, crème brûlée, and candied peach rings, with a palate-coating, toasty richness that carries through the long, oak-kissed finish. This is no shy Chardonnay—bold, creamy, and unapologetically hedonistic—yet beneath all the luxurious oak, the ripe orchard and tropical-leaning Sangiacomo fruit still shines through. It’s not a wine for the Chardonnay faint of heart or for anyone seeking Chablis; this is Chassagne-Montrachet on steroids. The 2022 Sangiacomo Chardonnay is sourced from grapes grown at the Kiser Vineyard off Arnold Drive in the cool, windy Sonoma Carneros AVA, just north of San Pablo Bay. Whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeast, the wine was aged in French oak (35% new).

2022

Producer

Name

This is a super savory and focused red, offering notes of black olive tapenade, black truffle charcuterie, and a hint of red licorice. Wet river stone minerality and blood orange acidity add lift, all supported by crisp, focused tannins. Medium- to full-bodied, with building intensity that carries through to a satisfying finish.

2022

Producer

Name

This is a heady, meaty wine with vivid violet aromatics, dark leather, charcuterie notes, and loamy earth. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it shows muscular, broad-shouldered tannins that carry through to a lengthy finish layered with dried herbs, black olive, and earthy undertones.

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 Estate Monastrell was fermented in stainless steel and aged for 24 months in large-format barrels, including approximately 30% new French oak. This is a beautifully focused, easy-drinking red with supple, plump tannins and silky fruit on the palate. A mix of red and black fruits is layered with wild herbs, subtle mocha, and crushed cacao nibs. Wonderfully balanced and extremely food-friendly.

2022

Producer

Name

“Counterpoint” combines 75% Laurel Glen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Pickberry Vineyard Merlot, aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. It’s a ripe, mulberry-infused red layered with Asian spice and purple florals, delivering a luxurious, velvety, and suave palate feel. Fine apple-skin tannins build toward a dry, graceful finish. Originally planted with 2 acres of Cabernet in 1968, Laurel Glen Vineyard was has been owned by Bettina Sichel since 2011. Organic farming is handled by Phil Cottuiri, with winemaker Randall Watkins leading the cellar.

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 1910 Block Zinfandel is sourced exclusively from the winery’s historic 1910 Block and aged for 20 months in French oak (15% once-used), honoring the profound depth and legacy of this vineyard. This is a heartier Zinfandel with high-toned acidity that edges toward volatility but remains intriguing, layered with bay laurel and sage. Full-bodied and creamy yet marked by crisp, tart acidity, it’s a wine worth exploring on its own—and even better when used to add lift and complexity to hearty stews or red wine sauces. It will be fascinating to see where this goes in 2023, a cooler growing season that proved far more favorable across the board. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 Estate Cuvée is a blend of 66% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah, and 9% Petite Sirah, aged for 20 months in French oak with 15% once-used barrels. Full-bodied and luscious, it brims with mulberry fruit, candied cherries, and blue fruit compote, laced with Christmas spice and lifted by purple floral aromatics. The wine evokes the memory of a grape-flavored lollipop I used to get as a kid while waiting for hot dogs from an old-fashioned truck in my hometown in upstate New York—a true nostalgic throwback. Juicy, balanced, and powerful, it just might send you back in time too. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

The 2022 Marquis Zinfandel marries Limerick Lane Estate fruit (40%) with Zinfandel from the legendary Monte Rosso, heritage Bedrock, Banfield, and classic Maffei vineyards. Aged for 19 months in French oak (10% new), it stands in contrast to the Estate Cuvée—more focused, linear, and lighter on its feet. The wine showcases red-toned fruits and mild Indian spices with a satiny fruit profile and velvety texture that sweeps you up on the finish and beckons another sip. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

From the first pour, it’s clear that the 2022 Monte Rosso Zinfandel is a more elegant expression of the variety. It shimmers a medium ruby color and hits all the marks of a classic Zinfandel from a warmer, challenging year. Structured, firm tannins support a strawberry-cherry-infused core layered with brown baking spices, clove, and crushed volcanic stone minerality. Sourced from the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District, perched at 1,300 feet, and aged for 17 months in oak (20% once-used). Elegant Zinfandel through and through. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

Limerick Lane’s 2022 Russian River Zinfandel—their flagship wine—is a blend of Limerick Lane Estate fruit (74%), Maffei (12%), Banfield (12%), and Monte Rosso (2%). Aged for 11 months in neutral French oak, it delivers a wonderfully fresh and captivating expression of Zinfandel in the challenging, warm 2022 growing season. Medium- to full-bodied, it exudes crunchy red fruit and a pretty floral bouquet of dusty rose, accented by fine cedarwood and supple tannins that create a velvety texture. The finish is zesty and acid-driven, leaving a lively impression. Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned winery on a 53-acre Russian River Valley estate, with vineyards dating back to 1910.

2022

Producer

Name

A striking Roussanne that showcases purity and precision, this wine opens with fresh orchard fruit notes—pear, apple, and a hint of quince—lifted by aromas of almond paste and delicate white flowers. The medium-bodied palate is textured and layered, energized by vibrant lemon-lime acidity that cuts through richer tones of lemon oil, dried apricot, and honeycomb. Expressive and beautifully balanced, it delivers both freshness and depth in equal measure, with a long, energetic finish that lingers on citrus and floral tones.

2022

Producer

Name

This Marquette (a French-American hybrid) was sourced from Doyle Vineyards on the west side of Keuka Lake, where it tends to ripen early. Pressed off skins and fermented with native yeast, the wine was aged in neutral French oak for 20 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. There’s a wild, sauvage-like character here that sets it apart—tangy and tart red fruit layered with smoky mineral tones, dried flowers, and a distinct sweet herbal-tea quality. Made in a natural style, this wine asks for a curious, open-minded palate.

2022

Producer

Name

A juicy, easy-drinkign Grenache that dlivers the goods as juicy red berry fruit, brown baking spices, a hint of sagebrush, and satiny tannins that bild on the dry finish.

2022

Producer

Name

This is a meaty, savory-driven Pinot Noir with brawny tannins and crisp, apple-like acidity. Intriguing walnut husk notes, leather, and tobacco underscore a core of cherry and blackberry fruit, while hints of Earl Grey tea, dried flowers, and a touch of black truffle–charcuterie complexity add depth. The finish is taut and tangy.

Vintage

Wine

Type

Rating

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2022

2022 Landmark Vineyards Overlook Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Landmark Vineyards Rayhill Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Landmark Vineyards Sangiacomo Chardonnay

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Cabernet Franc

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Graciano

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Las Positas Vineyards Estate Monsastrell

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Laurel Glen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Limerick Lane Cellars 1910 Block Zinfandel

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Limerick Lane Cellars Estate Cuvée

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Limerick Lane Cellars Marquis Zinfandel

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Limerick Lane Cellars Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel

Still Wine

$$

2022

2022 Limerick Lane Cellars Zinfandel

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Lindquist Family Wines Bien Nacido Hillside Vineyard Roussanne

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Living Roots Wine & Co Marquette

Still Wine

$

2022

2022 Long Walk Vineyard Grenache

Still Wine

N/A

2022

2022 Longboard Vineyards Meant to Bee Vineyard Pinot Noir

Still Wine

$

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