The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Bold and dark-fruited, with briary cherry fruit, cherry-wood smoke, incense, and blood orange on the nose, all carrying through to the medium-bodied palate. Crisp tannins support a bulwark of brown baking-spice character, balancing the drying structure with a sweeter finish marked especially by ripe cherry fruit. Quite nice. This marks the winery’s 12th vintage of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The 2023 bottling is a blend of two vineyards in the northern part of the AVA: Baer Vineyard (60%) and Bacigalupi (40%). The sites sit less than a mile apart, bordered by Westside Road to the west and the Russian River to the east. The clonal makeup includes Pommard, 115, 667, and 777. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned Sonoma County winery producing about 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are crafted by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.
This 125-case cuvée is sourced from three vineyards spanning the interior Sonoma Coast—Baer, Bacigalupi, and Sangiacomo. Winemaker Matt Duffy selected barrels that expressed particularly coastal, savory tones inspired by the region’s cool-climate character. Some fermentations included whole clusters to add structure and spice. The result is a beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with layered aromatics, coastal energy, and textural depth. Aromas of black cherry and fig mingle with applewood smoke and apple blossom, enhanced by brown baking spices, clove, and stony minerality. Juicy and supple on the palate with zesty acidity, it’s a vibrant, finely tuned expression of site and season. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County, producing 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are made by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.
Dustin Valette has known Michael Browne since his days at John Ash & Co., and when they launched this project it became a genuinely special collaboration for the two of them. This is the first wine they’ve made together. The Pinot Noir is supple, round, and sumptuous, with wonderfully plump tannins and smooth, silky mixed berry fruit, layered with fragrant cocoa powder, dried violets, and rose petals. A rich saline minerality emerges on the medium-bodied finish and seems to linger effortlessly. The intensity of the wine is very much Michael Browne in character, yet it retains admirable energy and drive.
Entirely from Bush Crispo, crafted by Bob Cabral. Crushed cherry and cherry compote lead the way, followed by unsweetened chocolate and darker forest floor notes, with nuances of crushed cocoa nibs. The palate is intense, showing Rooibos tea notes and an almost meaty, iron-like mineral character, supported by integrated cedarwood and a spicy white pepper lift from some whole-cluster inclusion. Serve this with steak au poivre.
This is crafted by Bob Cabral. Super-fragrant from the outset, with rose petal and rose stem notes, dark cherry, and dark slate, lifted by white pepper spice and fresh redwood forest nuances. Black tea notes support the super-dark, juicy, ripe fruit and macerated cherry character. Hints of tangerine peel and crushed cocoa nibs add detail, all carried by a velvety texture and impressive length.
All estate fruit from Tom Rochioli. There’s a wonderfully lush, creamy richness here, underscored by very pretty, lacy acidity. Notes of lemon oil and a creamy center are layered with wildflower honey and gorgeous French pastry nuances. It’s delicious on a stick—haha. Absolutely long and layered. Pair it with whole roasted goose or turkey thighs—unctuous, with crisp, crunchy fat—or roast chicken in a mushroom sauce. Anything poultry, really. Pheasant for sure: the gaminess of the bird and the richness of this Chardonnay will crush your soul with goodness.
It offers that classic David Ramey Chardonnay profile, with a crisp, bright, and vivid personality. Lemon peel and fresh citrus notes are layered with subtle, gorgeous cedarwood accents, sea spray, and intense mineral character. The wine is lush yet cool, showing lovely candied ginger and quince, carried by saline-laced acid tension and lingering white floral notes. Long and delicious, it’s made for rich, fatty seafood—broiled lobster is heaven with this.
This 100% Chardonnay is sourced from Tolmasoff Vineyard, planted entirely to the UV Montrachet clone, and was fermented and aged for 10 months in a concrete “hippo” tank with no oak influence. It’s a dazzling Chardonnay with a heady, rich complexity—lemon citrus, creamy apple, and pear mingle with candied white floral notes, ginger cream, and a subtle toasty nuance. The medium-bodied palate reveals savory tarragon tones and a long, lingering finish of toasted almonds. Balanced acidity keeps the wine bright, energetic, and beautifully focused. James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.
This 100% Chardonnay is sourced from Jim Pratt’s Vine Hill Vineyard and composed of Robert Young, 70, and Mt. Eden clones. Aged for 14 months sur lie in 100% French oak (33% new), it’s a dynamic, tropical-fruited, and lavishly textured Chardonnay framed by fine-boned acidity. Layers of preserved Meyer lemon, dried apricot, and dried pineapple unfold with hints of mango, white peach, acacia flower honey, and crystallized ginger, all flowing through the full-bodied, lingering finish. James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.
There’s nothing not to love about this 100% Pinot Noir sourced from Vineyard Eleven, planted entirely to the UV-VR clone and aged for 11 months sur lie in 100% French oak, 33% new. The wine is lively and bright, framed by crunchy apple-skin tannins and blood orange acidity, yet balanced by a creamy core. Aromas and flavors of cherry, applewood smoke, clove, and Earl Grey tea unfold with lavish complexity, finishing long with a subtle sprinkling of white pepper. James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.
After tasting the Lakeview Vineyard Pinot Noir made from the La Tâche clone, I was floored to find the same level of quality and pedigree in this 100% Pinot Noir sourced from Jim Pratt’s Sexton Road Vineyard. Composed of clones 777 and 114 and aged for 16 months sur lie in French oak (20% new), this wine is bold and dark-fruited, with layers of cherry and fig preserves framed by a deeply floral character and forest underbrush nuances that complement its generous core of ripe fruit. Firm tannins provide structure, while a tapestry of brown baking spices wraps around every inch of fruit, culminating in a smoky clove finish. The depth, texture, and balance here make for an utterly delectable Sonoma Pinot. Bravo! James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.
This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from Lakeview Vineyard, planted entirely to the La Tâche clone, and aged for 17 months in French oak, 33% new. The clone brings a darker fruit profile, with notes of blackberry and fig underscored by earthy depth and a rose-petal-driven florality that’s truly captivating. Aromas of wild herbs and bouquet garni add further intrigue. The palate is full-bodied and velvety in texture, finishing with savory layers of tobacco, leather, and dried wild herbs. Yum. James and Kerry MacPhail started Tongue Dancer as a personal brand in 2012. All of their wines are produced in their winery built (in 2008) on their 1-acre property in Healdsburg.
The Alana Vineyard, planted to Wente clones in the Russian River Valley, yields fruit of exceptional quality. Aged for 14 months in 100% French oak, 20% new, this exquisite Chardonnay is limited to just 145 cases. It displays ripe apple, pear, and apricot fruit drizzled with lemon cream and layered over crushed almonds. Full-flavored yet medium-bodied, it’s deeply enticing, with penetrating layers of flavor and crisp, citrusy acidity driving an enduring finish. Add in perfectly balanced oak spice, and you’ve got one heck of a white wine. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).
This 100% Chardonnay from Durell Vineyard—crafted from Wente and Hyde clones—was aged for 14 months in 100% French oak, 21% new. Just 665 cases were produced. The wine exudes poise and elegance, balancing opulent flavors of ripe citrus, lemon oil, white acacia flowers, and crushed almonds with subtle toasty oak spice. Crisp acidity and bright apple-skin tannins bring lift and precision, resulting in a beautifully harmonious and striking white wine from this exceptional vineyard. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).
This is one masterful creation. We all know Gap’s Crown produces some of Sonoma’s most storied Pinot Noirs, but Three Sticks’ *Gap’s Pinnacle* takes it to another level entirely. It’s such a complete wine—seamless, seductive, and utterly captivating from bouquet to finish. Crafted from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the most coveted blocks of Gap’s Crown Vineyard, the blend includes clones 667, 828, 115, Swan, and 943, aged for 15 months in 100% French oak, 48% new. Just 300 cases were produced. The wine overflows with bright red cherry and blackberry fruit, a creamy, layered core of succulent richness, and supple yet firm tannins balanced by graceful acidity. The finish lingers with baking spice notes of white pepper, clove, and mild Indian spice. If you can get your hands on a bottle, consider yourself lucky. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).
This is a wine you’ll have a hard time putting down. Layered and savory, it’s expressive with bright cherry fruit, apple blossom, rose petal, and mild Indian spice. Supple, round, and generous, it’s beautifully balanced by sinewy tannins that carry a subtle toasted almond character. The mid-palate shows pleasing density and ripe fruit weight, finishing strong with citrusy, tangerine-like acidity that hits the sweet spot—neither harsh nor crunchy. Simply a gorgeous wine. The Cuvée Eva Marie Pinot Noir is crafted from more than 60 lots each year, with the Three Sticks team selecting the very best barrels from Pinot Noir clones 115, 667, 828, 943, Calera, and Swan. The final blend is aged for 15 months in 100% French oak, 55% new, with just 212 cases produced. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).
The Setting 2022 Alexander Valley is fresh, vivid, crunchy and red-fruited, layered with sweet, toasty oak spice and elegant cedarwood notes. Aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak, it shows robust yet nicely sculpted tannins that frame the wine beautifully. Full-bodied and rich in the signature Setting style, it remains fresh and inviting, with crisp structure supporting all that generous fruit.
From a hillside site in Alexander Valley and planted to 50% Musqué and 50% Sauvignon Blanc clones. This Sauvignon Blanc shows a heady richness, driven in part by barrels with Acacia heads, which—when toasted correctly—bring gorgeous florality and minerality. The wine expands across the palate with fleshy pear and apricot, carried by a rich, saline-acid tension that fuels both texture and focused length. It’s an opulent wine with precision and lift. In short, ultra-delicious. This wine was aged 6 months in 40% new French oak.
This Chardonnay was aged for 11 months in 30% new French oak. It’s wonderfully fragrant, warm-spiced, and built around a luscious core of ripe orchard fruit, sharpened by salted citrus peel, ginger, allspice, and touches of dried apple and apricot, with French pastry notes carrying through a lengthy, zesty finish. TEXTBOOK was founded by Jonathan and Susan Pey , who brought in Winemaker Abigail Estrada. Estrada leans on global expertise from stints in Italy, New Zealand, Israel, and Napa Valley estates such as Markham, Domaine Chandon, and Robert Mondavi. She crafts these wines by keeping lots separate, tasting continuously throughout the year, and integrating components to achieve TEXTBOOK’s house style.
This is always such a pleasure-packed white, showing absolutely lush orchard fruit dusted with fragrant brown spices. The palate builds with rich melon notes, tangerine oil and beeswax, followed by a growing richness on the finish that’s lifted by saline acidity and a brightness that lingers. Aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak. Produced by Sonoma-based winemaker Jesse Katz, the Surveyor wines are an exclusive label of the Montage Resort in Healdsburg, California. Katz oversaw the planting of 15.5 acres of estate vines in 2019 and 2020, many of them planted in and around the resort itself.
